There needs to be a register of landlords, full regulation of agents and changes to assured shorthold tenancy agreements to improve the government's ability to monitor the private rented sector, according to one expert.
Ian Potter, operations manager of the Association of Residential Letting Agents, was speaking after the Department of Communities and Local Government released a statement suggesting how the sector could improve.
However, he acknowledged his concern that the government had failed to disclose who would be enforcing any new rules that may be introduced.
Mr Potter noted that it was time to convince consumers of the benefits of privately rented dwellings - in which 14% of the UK's population now live - and to ensure that the measures were "not lost in or around the election".
The news comes after an announcement by the British Property Federation that the sector will have to plug the gap in the housing market.
Private rented sector 'needs new regulation'
