Today CAP has sent letters to relevant trade bodies across the lettings sector, with detailed guidance on how they can ensure they prominently include information about non-optional fees around rental prices (the “asking rent”) in their ads.

This new requirement follows an ASA ruling published in March 2013 in which it ruled against a letting agent which had not provided sufficient information about their fees in their online ads.

Residential lettings agents must now make changes to their websites and ads placed on property portals and in other media. We’ll be closely monitoring ads in all media from 1 November 2013 onwards and will consider appropriate follow-up action against non-compliant ads from this date.

In establishing this new position, we’ve worked closely with bodies such as the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) and The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and written to letting agents and private landlords to outline the new requirements.

CAP has also published a new AdviceOnline, Compulsory costs and charges: Letting agents, for marketers to ensure that they comply with the rules.

Marketers are also encouraged to seek free, confidential advice on their advertising from the CAP Copy Advice team.

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