Penarth businessman selected to help ‘clean up’ Welsh rental market (From Penarth Times)

Penarth businessman selected to help ‘clean up’ Welsh rental market

12:20pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News

A PENARTH businessman has been appointed the Welsh representative of a body that aims to improve standards in the Welsh property rental market.

Tony Jones, managing director of Cardiff and Penarth-based ACJ Properties, has been appointed Welsh representative of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

The Welsh Government recently identified the need to improve the standard of accommodation in the private rented sector, and Mr Jones’ task will be to ensure more Letting Agents become ARLA accredited as part of a drive to improve standards in the sector.

Father of five Mr Jones, who lives in Penarth and has been running ACJ Properties since 1993, said: “This is a great opportunity for me to make a difference to a sector that is continuing to grow in Wales. With so many people choosing to rent, as a result of current difficulties getting on the property ladder, it is important to ensure high standards of service and accommodation across Wales.

“It’s a worrying fact that anyone can become a lettings agent. In Cardiff alone there are approximately 158 lettings agents, yet only 18 have gone through the rigorous assessment process to become ARLA licensed.

“I aim to change this because I believe more ARLA licensed agents will result in a widespread improvement of standards in the private rented sector in Wales.”

Ian Potter, Managing Director of ARLA, said: “Tony has been a valued member of ARLA for several years. With two decades experience in the sector, he is ideally placed to work with agents across Wales to drive an improvement in standards.”