About NTSELAT

Learn about the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT), including who we are and what we do.

Who we are

The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) is responsible for:

• the regulation of estate agency work in the UK
• overseeing the enforcement of lettings agency work in England

NTSELAT has officers appointed by:

• Powys County Council, as the lead enforcement authority under the Estate Agents Act 1979
• Bristol City Council, as the lead enforcement authority under the Tenant Fees Act 2019  

The enforcement responsibilities are shared between two authorities: Powys County Council leads on estate agency matters (Estate Agency Team), while Bristol City Council is responsible for lettings Letting Agency Team).

Funding for the team is provided by a grant from The Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).  This is managed by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), on behalf of National Trading Standards.

The funding is ring-fenced by the host lead enforcement authorities for the work of the team.

Oversight of the team is provided via the NTS Estate and Letting Agency Governance group. This includes officers from trading standards authorities and MHCLG officials.

Find more information on National Trading Standards, their work areas and teams.

Business plan

Our business plan 2024 to 2025 (PDF, 440 KB)  shows our planned work.

It covers:

• how our work fits in with the National Trading Standards' strategic priorities
• our accountability to the Secretary of State who creates the legislation and approves the funding

What the Powys team does (NTSEAT)

The Powys-based team is responsible for enforcing and supporting compliance with estate agency legislation across the UK. Their work includes:

• oversight of how relevant estate agency legislation is working and being enforced
• issuing prohibition and warning orders that concern whether a person is unfit to engage in estate agency work 
• approval and oversight of the UK's consumer redress schemes, Ombudsmen, and Alternative Dispute Resolution entities in the estate agency sector
• publication of guidance and advice for the public, businesses, and enforcement authorities on estate agency work in the UK

While the Powys team does not directly oversee lettings, some breaches—such as under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC)—by letting or property managers may still act as a "trigger" under the Estate Agents Act 1979. In such cases, NTSELAT may investigate their fitness to engage in estate agency work.

What we do not do

We do not:

• give specific, individual advice to consumers or businesses
• mediate or arbitrate in individual complaints
• award civil redress
• conduct routine investigations: these are the responsibility of local Trading Standards, Environmental Health or Housing teams. However, in certain circumstances we may investigate cases where a local authority is unable to do so