new rules for property agents

[dumb mum]

I know they introduced new rules last year that the buyer and seller must each have an agent.  Does this also apply for rentals?  Our lease is coming up for renewal -  last time round the landlord refused to let my agent be involved and insisted I deal solely with his agent.  Would this still be allowed?

[CEA]

Both sides are not obliged to have an agent but the one agent cannot act for both parties.  It applies to leases but if you deal directly with the landlord you do not need to engage an agent.

Even if you deal with the landlord's agent provided that s/he is only conveying your requests to the landlord and is not getting paid by you then there is no need to have another agent involved.

It is a shockingly bad piece of legislation though the intentions are good and unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation around.

[No Lah]

Our lease is about to expire and we are looking for a new place without engaging any agents on our side.  nobody has said that we should have an agent.