Benefits of an ARLA Qualified Agent - Why Choose an ARLA Agent?
With a Licensed ARLA agent you’re as safe as houses.
FACT: Every year, unlicensed agents cost Britain’s Landlords and Tenants thousands of pounds because they do not have protective measures in place to guarantee your money.
By using a Licensed ARLA agent you are guaranteed the following:-
- To be consulting with qualified and trained agents who can give you professional up to date advice and guidance
- That your money is protected by a Client Money Protection Scheme
- That you are dealing with an agent who follows a Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct laid down by their professional body
- That you agent has Professional Indemnity Insurance
- That you have a route to redress should something go wrong
What does Licensing mean for you?
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) is committed to providing the highest standards of letting and management services through its Licensed Agents. ARLA has set up its Licensing Scheme to provide Landlords and Tenants with:-
Best practice in the letting and management profession
Consumer protection
High quality service from reliable, responsible, professional agents
ARLA believes that all letting and property management agents should belong to a Licensing Scheme – so that consumers know that not only are they getting the highest quality service possible, but also that any unscrupulous, unethical and unprofessional agents are stopped from practising in the letting industry.
There is currently NO mandatory regulation of letting and property management agents in the UK.
How am I better protected with a Licensed Agent?
A Licensed ARLA agent is qualified and is required to keep up to date with the latest developments in the market and with the changing legislation affecting letting and property management.
Without this knowledge and expertise, whether you’re a Tenant or a Landlord you may be badly advised or misled – or you may even suffer financial loss as a result.
By choosing a Licensed ARLA agent you are protecting your money because it is covered by a Client Money Protection Scheme. A Licensed ARLA firm will also have Professional Indemnity Insurance in place for your protection.
A Licensed firm also abides by a Code of Practice as well as Rules of Conduct. This means you can be assured that the service you receive is to the highest standard and your enquiry will be dealt with professionally and fairly.
In the unlikely event that things go wrong, a Licensed ARLA firm has a written complaints procedure. If you are not completely satisfied with the service you have received from a Licensed ARLA agent and cannot resolve the issue directly with the agent or firm, you have the option of taking your complaint to independent adjudication and redress through the Property Redress Scheme.
To check whether your local letting and property management agent is Licensed by ARLA, please visit the ARLA website at www.arla.co.uk or telephone them 01926 496800