When considering which agent to appoint, make sure you chose an agent that not only has the right image, but that has the right credentials as well...
Movingspace are voluntary members of all these professional bodies, who collectively require us to adhere to strict codes of conduct, to ensure you receive a fair and correct service. Amazingly there are still many agents who belong to none...
Call us with confidence today to arrange your free market appraisal 020 7793 1999
ARLA – Association of Residential Letting Agents
Members must: have been in business of letting for at least 2 years; follow proper client accounting procedures for all their client monies (incl. deposits and rents), hold professional indemnity insurance to required level; be covered by the ARLA fidelity bond (which protects client's money). ARLA publish useful leaflets for tenants and landlords
Membership
ARLA has 1,500 member offices throughout the UK including large multi-branch national companies as well as the smaller single office practices. Membership is achieved only by agents who demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of their profession and that they conduct their business according to current best management practice.
Financial Protection
All members are required to have professional indemnity insurance cover. In addition they are covered by a bonding scheme which provides financial protection for client monies which have been misappropriated.
Professional Standards
ARLA members are governed by the Code of Practice providing a framework of ethical and professional standards at a level far higher than the law demands. The Association runs a series of meetings, training courses and seminars at local and national levels to ensure that members are kept fully up to date with the latest best practice. Examinations are held regularly and membership rules require all member offices to have professionally qualified staff by the year 2000. Members’ accounts are required to be audited annually ensuring that they conform to stringent accounting practice.
Complaints/Discipline
The Association has its own complaints and disciplinary procedures so that any dispute is dealt with efficiently and fairly. Where necessary, suitable sanctions are imposed on the member.
Influence
ARLA is recognised by government, local authorities, consumer interest groups and the media as the leading professional body in the private rented sector. It produces policy papers on key issues affecting the lettings market and lobbies government and other bodies within the industry to develop the appropriate legislative framework and initiatives.
NALS – National Approved Lettings Scheme
- To provide an accreditation scheme which establishes minimum levels of service and is open to all bona fide firms and Residential Social Landlords providing lettings and management services in the private rented sector. Firms will be required to meet the criteria and standards that may from time to time by reviewed by the Board to ensure a dependable service to landlords and tenants incorporating the highest levels of consumer protection.
- To monitor compliance by those accredited to the Scheme oversee complaints handling by member firms and withdraw or suspend accreditation as a means of giving confidence to property owners and tenants dealing with a member of the Scheme.
- To promote best practice in lettings and management by agents in respect of the private rented sector and, where appropriate, publish and promote information to members.
- To undertake a proactive PR campaign to promote membership in order to increase the number of member firms so that the Scheme becomes self-funding as soon as possible.
LLAS – London Landlord Accreditation Scheme
This new, pan-London scheme was launched at the London Landlords’ Day on 9th July 2004 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
It is a partnership scheme, involving all appropriate landlord organisations, educational organisations and the 33 London Boroughs.
Stemming from an idea amongst Officers in a number of London Boroughs, preparatory work took place to consult all London Boroughs and allied organisations on the feasibility of introducing a London-wide Landlord Accreditation Scheme. The consultations resulted in the formation of a Steering Group comprising representatives from most of the London Boroughs together with key landlord associations and educational organisations.
The London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) is one which will be based on delivering managerial development (ie training) for participating landlords. Integral to it will be the 'fit and proper person' concept, which will be closely linked to a Code of Conduct which every accredited landlord must sign up to.
Whilst an important element of the information to be delivered will relate to the physical state and management of their properties, accreditation under the scheme will not be directly related to the actual condition of the properties owned by the landlord applying for accreditation (although certain elements may be covered generally by the Code of Conduct). It is therefore a scheme which looks to accredit landlords rather than their properties.
It should be noted that the LLAS will not affect in any way property standards or other accreditation schemes operated by individual Boroughs, but it is intended to be entirely complementary to them.
OEA – Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme
The OEA Scheme provides an independent service for dealing with disputes between agencies that subscribe as members and consumers who are actual or potential buyers/sellers of residential property in the UK. The Ombudsman is independent of the member agencies. It undertakes to offer a free, fair and speedy review of complaints falling within his terms of reference.
Complaints will be considered by the Ombudsman where the consumer believes that the member agency has: treated them unfairly; been guilty of maladministration (incl. inefficiency or undue delay) that has caused losing money or suffering inconvenience; not conformed to the OEA Code of Practice; infringed their legal rights.
- OEA Scheme Members agree to abide by the OEA Code of Practice. This sets out a framework within which Members must operate and sets the standards of service they should provide.
- The Code is mandatory and rigorously enforced. Compliance levels and consumer satisfaction are closely monitored.
- If things go wrong, and you have a dispute with a Member Agency, you can refer your complaint to the Ombudsman for resolution. The Ombudsman is completely independent of the Member Agencies, and will provide a free, fair and speedy review of complaints falling within his Terms of Reference.
- Member agencies agree to co-operate with the Ombudsman and to abide by any decisions that the Ombudsman comes to. Any financial award that the Ombudsman makes in your favour is binding on the agent.
NAEA – National Association of Estate Agents
The largest professional estate agency organisation in the UK. Representing nearly 10,000 members, the NAEA is committed to raising professional standards across all aspects of the property market for the benefit of member agents and ultimately the home moving public.
Not all estate agents are the same so how can you tell the good from the bad?
- NAEA members have the knowledge and experience to achieve the best deal for you
- Professional integrity – all our members operate to our professional Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct
- Provide Added Value through the NAEA network
- Moving home is too important to take risks – make sure you have the reassurance of working with a Professional Estate Agent
ICBA – Institution of Commercial & Business Agents
The sale, letting or purchase of a commercial property or business requires a high degree of technical knowledge and access to specialised marketing. The success or failure of a business could depend on the choice of the right property in the best location.
At the National Association of Estate Agents we recognise that these specialised areas of activity require the services of an agent with the necessary knowledge and experience to ensure a successful transaction. Movingspace who handle commercial property and businesses have the necessary skills to assist you achieve your aims.
Whether you are looking to sell or buy a commercial property, arrange the letting of a property or buy or sell a business then there is a member of the association who can help. In addition to having the necessary skill, knowledge and experience to assist, our members have access to marketing especially aimed at serving the business community. N.A.E.A. members are subject to a Code of Practice which aims at ensuring that the service they offer is of the highest professional standard.