The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has witnessed an increase in agents joining its membership scheme and is attributing the rise to the changing rental market.

The number of lettings offices belonging to the ARLA accreditation scheme jumped from 1,715 to 1,815 during the first six months of this year.

ARLA says this is the greatest single period of growth since the introduction of the Housing Act 1988 and it is predicted to continue, as there are 30 new applications coming in per month.

Adrian Turner, ARLA's chief executive, said: "Both landlords and tenants find there is often insufficient explanation given by the authorities to the public at large and this leaves them unsatisfied and bewildered.

"Their nearest and quickest source is the local ARLA member letting agent, who will also be bonded, insured and have qualified staff.

"Some of the Government-imposed framework is practical and based on the blueprints pioneered by ARLA and others in the industry.

"However, there are elements of legislation which are either impractical or left to the discretion of others, such as local authorities.

"It is in these areas in particular landlords and tenants believe they are offered insufficient publicly available information and find that it is often contradictory and inaccurate."