Regulatory Property Information

This regulatory property information is a list and information on regulatory bodies that provide services within the property sector for owners and tenants.

The Residential Tenancy Board (RTB) was established in September 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. As part of its remit, the RTB also provides policy advice to the Government on the private rented sector. The RTB dispute resolution service replaces the courts in relation to the majority of landlord and tenant disputes. Please note that in order to provide a fair and neutral service to both parties, the RTB cannot provide legal advice or specific guidance to either case party in relation to their dispute.

Codes of Practice

The PSRA was established in April 2012 to control and regulate Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and property management Agents) this includes the licensing of all such services providers, the establishment of a complaints investigation and redress system for consumers, the setting and enforcement of standards in the provision of property services, the administration of client accounts, the establishment and maintenance of a compensation fund and the creation of three Public Registers.

One of the functions of the Authority is to set standards for the provision of property services. A Code of Practice sets such standards of ethical behaviour and details how property services providers should deal with each other, their clients and the public. This Code sets out the minimum standards to be expected of Auctioneers and Estate Agents in the provision of property services. If you are concerned that an Auctioneer/Estate Agent has not applied these standards, check the Public Register of Licensees to see if he/she has subscribed to the code. If he/she is recorded as having subscribed to the Code, you can make a complaint to the Authority.

It should be noted that, while the Code is voluntary at present, once the Authority is put on a Statutory basis the Authority will have the power to make the Code a legally binding instrument.

If you have a complaint, regardless of whether the Auctioneer/Estate Agent has signed up to the Code, you may still write to the Authority and register your complaint for future reference.

You must identify yourself, giving full contact details of name, postal address, daytime phone number and e-mail address (if available). You must also identify the Auctioneer/Estate Agent, giving contact details. If you have been dealing with a specific person, please give that person’s name and contact details. You then must supply details of the nature of the complaint along with copies of any relevant documentation (which may include letters, e-mails, forms, advertisements).