Sir – With regards to recent national media coverage about a licensing system for landlords letting out residential property, I am fully supportive of such a system.

However, in view of the fact that many landlords are frustrated sellers and not “professional landlords”; that 44 per cent of landlords are private individuals with just one tenanted property; there are more than 100 pieces of letting-related regulations with which to be conversant and that amateur letting agents pose a greater threat to the public than amateur landlords, then surely it would make sense to allow smaller landlords to avoid the need for a licence subject to them letting their property through a licensed professional letting agent.

Bob Urwin, Managing director, Martin & Co., Oxford