Why can an unfit and improper landlord be registered if he or she engages a fit and proper agent?
A landlord must be fit and proper to be letting. It is possible that a landlord who would otherwise fail the test could make an arrangement with an agent which leads to fit and proper letting for the tenant. Where possible, it is preferable that an unfit landlord rectifies the situation via an agent rather than abandoning the sector. Such a decision is not be automatic. The local authority needs to decide, on balance, whether or not to register the landlord in the light of the agency arrangement and any other relevant information in its possession.
