Category Archives: Lettings

07Nov 2011

Property Landlord advice: Landlords visiting property can cause problems.

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By Steve Roulstone

Once again I have a subject that is very relevant to our own office, as it is based upon something that has caused some consternation this week. It seems that the only way it could have been avoided was to keep a Landlord away from his own property even though the reason for his visit was perfectly reasonable!

Managed should mean Managed.

Of course, when we are appointed by Landlords as their Managing Agent, it is not with the thought that the Landlord is then going to be visiting the property with Tenant ensconced on a regular basis. Far from it, I am a firm believer in encouraging Landlords to stay away from the property, even when they live next door, which happens more often than you would envisage! If we are appointed to be the Landlords representative, then we need to be allowed to do our job and because we have systems which ensure all actions carried out are done so correctly and that all conversations, comments and requests are noted, when this happens outside of our control it can leave us with problems, either then or later.

Coming back to bite you.

The instance that happened this week was of a Landlord unable to recall exactly what was said during a visit made (with permission of course!) to carry our maintenance (another blog all in its own right!) but it was the subject of the conversation which was the problem, because the Tenant having left the property, is being asked to decorate a bedroom back from purple walls to magnolia and yet they are stating they sought and gained the Landlords approval when they spoke.

Correct procedures at all times.

The main point here is that every member of our staff knows that as soon as any Tenant asks about decoration, we have a set procedure which includes confirmation in writing of both the request and response as well as submitting sample colours for approval. The same applies to any conversation which may have implications, we record the content, but what it is difficult to do is point out to the Landlord that they have gone about matters the wrong way by not informing us of the request when the initial approach was first made.   

Implications.

In this case, it is going to be difficult to prove the Tenant wrong, especially as we have nothing in writing to back up our case should the matter go to arbitration through the TDS scheme, which it probably will, so we may see the Landlord having to both paint the bedroom himself and pay for the privilege as a result of what started out as an innocent property visit carried out by the Landlord.

Recommendations.

So it is for cases such as this that we try wherever possible to encourage Landlords to stay away from their own property, or at the very least, to always ask the Tenants to contact us about any issue they raise, no matter how small, rather than get involved themselves, no matter how innocent the subject appears. Only then can we ensure that we remain in control of the situation and able to ‘Manage’ the position on behalf of the Landlord, after all I am yet to find any Landlord who approved purple paint for any room in their house!

04Nov 2011

Current Property News: Trapped renters equal half of the UK rental sector.

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By Mike Edwards

This information is taken from Rightmove’s Quarterly Consumer Confidence Survey out today. Trapped renters, tenants who would like, but cannot afford to, buy, make up 55% of the rental sector, with one in four of them over the age of 40, according to the portal’s latest Consumer Rental Forecast. Thus, this group faces the prospect of having to choose between a heavily reduced mortgage term to pay off any mortgage they do eventually take before they become pensioners, or continuing to pay off a mortgage into their 70s and beyond.

In rough terms recent surveys show that over half of those in rented accommodation would like to buy now, but can’t make the sums add up and, as a result, are trapped. The global economic woes that have left first-time buyer numbers at record lows will shatter the goals and aspirations of many as they face the reality of renting for far longer than they originally planned. Indeed those trapped and still renting when over the age of 40 could face the prospect of being an OAP mortgagee, or face difficulty getting a 25-year mortgage term if it takes them beyond lenders’ retirement age criteria. Generally most front line lenders will take age plus mortgage term to a maximum of 75

There is also a growing gap between demand and supply and demand continues to set records. But available stock is down 5% on the last quarter as the supply of new rental properties remains muted and tenants stay in properties for longer. The lack of supply means renters are resigned to paying more, with 53% of them expecting rents to rise in the next 12 months and 39% can see themselves still renting in three years’ time. On an Assured Shorthold Tenancy a properly served Section 13 notice to increase the rent leaves tenants with little option provided the newly sought rent is in line with local market levels for similar properties. The other danger for longer tenants is that it does not matter how much the rent is increased by, only that it reflects current trends. So any tenant that has been enjoying a fairly soft rent might find themselves with a nasty surprise if the Landlord or their agent monitors local rent and increases levels accordingly.

This of course is all good news for investors holding the type of property in demand especially in sought after locations. This combination of high tenant demand and upward rental pressure will be particularly appealing to long-term investors. Many investors say that attractive yields from rental returns, compared to returns on their other investments, are their main reason for investing in property. With the stock market continuing to offer the certainty of a stressful rollercoaster ride and safe cash investments delivering below inflation returns the solidity of bricks and mortar combined with high tenant demand and rising rents has growing investor appeal as a physical asset that could prove to be a better long term hedge against inflation.

01Nov 2011

Tenant advice: Correct procedure for end of Tenancy.

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By Steve Roulstone

One area that can constantly present problems to both Agent and Tenant (and subsequently Landlord) alike, concerns works needed after a Tenancy has ended, when the Tenant looks to re-visit the property to carry out garden maintenance, cleaning or removal of rubbish left. This is of course further complicated by the regulations surrounding the Tenants Deposit Scheme but for the purposes of this explanation, I will ignore TDS otherwise as a Blog this could become a Novel!

Correct procedure.

Of course what we have to work by is the legal requirements and therefore the legal manner in which Tenancies are considered. To explain, this means that the day of the check-out (for all Tenancies should be marked by an official visit to the property by the Landlord or Agent, otherwise no record can be made of state and condition) when keys are handed over and the last day that rent is actually paid for the property, the Tenancy comes to an end. The problem this presents is when the Tenant looks to re-visit to address issues as described above, because they can only do so with the Landlords permission!

Time to address the issues.

 It is the expectation and stance of many Tenants that can cause trouble here because if works are left to be done, such as cleaning or removal of rubbish, then it is perfectly reasonable for the Landlord or Agent to want to charge for the work to be completed, because the Tenant no longer has a legal right to access the property and of course the Landlord or Agent may be moving a new Tenant in as soon as the following day.

Not by right.

The main cause of any upset in my experience is the reaction from the outgoing Tenant to having access denied and the fear of charges that will arise from the work not being carried out in time. As I have stated, I am not going to bring TDS in too this scenario, so what we are talking about here are principals and the word of law. Therefore, any upset is because Landlords and Agents use the law as the basis of decisions made and subsequently it is the Law that the Tenant is questioning. Of course, the Law in such instances when applied correctly cannot be questioned and because Landlords and Agents know they are on sound footing very rarely does the Tenant receive any lee way, but even when it is granted, there can still be bad feeling, even though such access is purely at the Landlords grace.    

How to avoid problems.

Well of course there is no guarantee, because with people being people, there will always be some Tenants who do not wish to comply with the requirements of the agreement, but my advice to any Tenant is to understand what you are required to do at an early stage, then (and this is the important bit) when your Landlord or Agent confirms the end of Tenancy procedure and implications of the check out date (done properly this can avoid problems) it will not come as such a surprise. But rest assured, should you ignore the detail and expect to walk away with works remaining,  Agents will on behalf of their Landlords, pursue the Tenant for recompense, through and within the TDS legislation.

28Oct 2011

Property Landlord advice: DPS sister Company applies to run the TDP scheme for Scotland

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By Mike Edwards

The Letting Protection Service Scotland the sister company to the Deposit Protection Service in England and Wales) has applied to run a tenancy protection scheme in Scotland. Though part of a tender process the DPS rightly emphasises it will be the only contender in Scotland to have had any experience of protecting deposits.

In its activities for England and Wales the DPS has protected more than 1.7 million to date, amounting to more than £1.3bn in value. Its application is fully expected to be approved and will trigger implementation of compulsory tenancy deposit protection in Scotland where, unlike England and Wales and argued by many very sensibly, insurance-backed schemes will not be authorised.

Instead, landlords and agents who take deposits must put the money in a banking or ‘custodial’ scheme and from the date the Scottish scheme launches from that date they will have 30 days (not the 14 as in England and Wales) to protect deposits for all new tenancies. Landlords holding deposits for existing tenancies will have nine months’ from the launch of the first scheme to protect their tenants’ deposits.

Under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011, which came into force in March 2011, landlords and letting agents will have a duty to protect tenants’ deposits as soon as the first approved scheme launches. This is thought likely to be from April 2012 or if not soon after.     
               
There has been constant criticism of the English decision to allow three schemes, two of them insurance backed and in effect promoted by vested interests. In reality The Dispute Service in effect is for agents and Mydeposits.com is for Landlords enabling both to hold onto the deposit monies.

This was seen by many objective commentators as rather defeating the object of TDP which is to keep the tenant’s money – and all too often it is forgotten just whose money the deposit actually is – 100% safe and protected from abuse by others.

24Oct 2011

Property Landlord advice: Keeping the House warm!

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by Steve Roulstone

At our office in Stafford, at this time of year, we like to remind our Tenants on behalf of our Landlords, especially in relation to their Insurance, that during the winter months they have the responsibility of keeping their rented property at the right temperature to combat our winter weather. We do this every year to ensure that property is left unprotected during holidays, be it skiing, a winter break or just over the Christmas period that Tenants are away, the home still needs protecting. Especially after the hard spells we experienced last year, which were a timely reminder ensuring we do not take any year for granted as far as the weather in this country is concerned.

Correct temperature recommended.

Of course one of the most important pieces of advice, in amongst information on emergency procedures and confirmation of responsibility, is the correct temperature that an empty house should be maintained at and it is this one figure that I wanted to highlight today, because should you ask any group of people what temperature they should maintain their own house at whilst away during the winter months, it would be my position that very few would be correct in their estimate!

Plumbers and Insurance agree.

The surprising thing was that the recommendation was agreed by both the Insurance companies (written as part of the policy) and the plumbers we spoke to, namely that the house should be kept between 12c and 15c. (I know that in my own house, and even in the rented property I now occupy, I have never aimed to keep the property at this figure) However, what matters here is that as Agents we advise the Tenants in a manner that they both realize their responsibilities and are advised in a way that the implications are understood.

Co-operation required.

If it is part of a Landlords Insurance policy that a minimum temperature be maintained when a property is empty, then it is important that Tenants are reminded at least once a year and that the reminder is timely, with the beginning of the winter being the best time to renew the instruction. There is no doubt that cold snaps such as we experienced last year may not come every year, but then there is just as much chance that they will and this is something that the Landlord cannot ignore, because should an Insurance Company be able to prove that a property has not been maintained correctly, then they have the ultimate sanction and could refuse to accept any subsequent claim!     

Clear advice and implications.

What we would all seek to avoid in such circumstances, is a situation where the Tenant can be held responsible for damage caused because they did not follow what was required of them so it is important that they are both made aware and advised of the clear implications that could follow from not carrying out there responsibility. What we do know from previous experience, is uncommon to popular belief, the majority of Tenants do understand and are sympathetic to what they need to do in these circumstances and therefore when advised properly and informed on time, they will co-operate and help to keep ‘burst pipes’ to a minimum!

21Oct 2011

Property Landlord advice: Utility providers recognize rental growth.

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By Steve Roulstone

For years the biggest issue Letting agents had with Utility providers was that they did not understand how the rental system works and that whilst a Landlord has Tenants in the property, any costs generated were not Landlords responsibility.  The end result was invoices sent willy nilly to all and sundry in an attempt to get somebody to pay for supplies. From day one we have always sent faxes at both the start and end of tenancies confirming changes, names and forwarding addresses.

Too busy.

This was always reliant upon utility providers supplying fax numbers where this information could be sent, but on one classic occasion the manner in which they addressed rental properties shone through, when I was faxing British Gas and because the phone was on a speaker rest, I quite clearly heard the BG employee at the other end say ‘we have had enough fax’s today I am going to turn this machine off’!! Sure enough, it took three days before we could get through again.

Change in approach.

It is hard enough sometimes to find out who Tenants have changes suppliers too, but typical of utility providers, who along with the practice of firing invoices right left and centre never mind how many times we sent them clear information (including on many occasions in the name of the Letting Agent, who of course can never be responsible for costs generated at any property) and sending highly inflated invoices for periods between Tenants (this is a particularly popular practice with the water companies, who when multiplying the cost out charged at up to twice the annual rate for one or two week periods) they have now managed to get legislation introduced which means they may now charge the property owner if they do not have sufficient Tenant details.

A justified approach?

Of course if the services are not contacted and it is the responsibility of the outgoing and incoming person who pays bills to advise of the change, then one can understand their motivation. But if a Tenant does not advise of a forwarding address when they leave, then Landlords could find themselves responsible for the Tenants failure to advise correctly. Because this is part of what we always do as Letting Agents, we should never fall fowl of this new legislation, but Landlords who manage property themselves can no longer hide behind the excuse that it is not their fault. They must now ensure that they supply the information at the end of a Tenancy, even if a property is abandoned, doing nothing is no excuse and contact and information known should be supplied.

Only for water.

The legislation is contained in section 45 of the Flood and Water Management act of 2010 and is therefore at present only available for water utility companies, but I am sure that once the electric and gas providers realize (if they have not already done so) that this is possible, they will quickly lobby for the same powers. For me the biggest problem is that for years they treated the rental industry as a nuisance and now that the figures are obviously much bigger, seek legislation to protect themselves. A pity they could not just be efficient in how they go about dealing with changes at property and adapt themselves to the market, because by using legislation they are implying that they are protecting themselves from people who wish to defraud them through the law, when I believe that the reality is that the legislation has been smuggled through the back door to save them money in coping with what is a major change in trend in this country through efficiency and having to introduce workable but time consuming solutions. How much easier just to invoice the registered property owner!

18Oct 2011

Property Landlord Advice: PAT testing for all!

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By Steve Roulstone

The ‘all’ in the title above is referring to all portable electrical goods in any rented accommodation which is a House of Multiple Occupation and in particular the Tenants goods as well as any electrical items supplied  by the Landlord which is not something that would automatically come to mind, but the principals are just the same as the reasons why goods are tested in the first place.

Portable Appliance Testing

It is one of those sayings which gets accepted as an acronym and slips in to our language so easily that the proper meaning can easily be forgotten.  But the reason for testing all appliances supplied by the Landlord, is lost if the appliances supplied by the Tenants are not tested as well. This means any heating device, television or even fridge that they supply, will need to be tested as well, otherwise the whole point of carrying any test out is lost.

Enforcing the rules.

Of course it is how you manage this and of course why it should be done in the first place that needs to be explained. In our case at Stafford, we manage two blocks of rooms (over 60 in each) which are run by Wardens that we supply and the recommendation came about as a result of a Health and Safety and Fire Inspection, on behalf of the insurers, who naturally want to know that everything is being done to minimize the risks involved, especially where foreign students or workers are concerned with electrical items that run on a different current to our own electrical system. (Rice cookers are a prime example) What we do is to advertise the day we have our own test carried out and then allow goods to be tested free of charge.

Contractually bound.

The difficulty is enforcing the rule, which we also add to our contract for the accommodation, because if this opportunity is ignored, then it is almost impossible to enforce the test, so it is very much about communications and taking advantage of every opportunity to have the work carried out, which is why testing for free along with the Landlords property is, we feel, such a good idea.

Computers.

Of course the biggest area is lap tops and computers as virtually every student and indeed worker would now have their own computer, which still needs to be tested and despite the obvious reaction that any test would ‘blow’ the computer, there are set standards and methods (of course!) to follow. Such information is vital when assuring your Tenant that the test needs to be carried out and you are faced with the inevitable statement to do so would destroy the computer.

14Oct 2011

Current Property News: Rental services being stretched during difficult times.

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By Steve Roulstone

At our office in Stafford, we are seeing many Landlords reviewing what they pay for our rental services, this is to be expected when everybody has to look at their expenditure very closely and where possible make savings. We have seen whole families change from a Fully Managed service to Tenant Find only and we hope that what they have witnessed over the last seven years whilst we have managed property on their behalf, will stand them in good stead, and of course should they need professional help then we will be available to assist wherever possible.

Review prices.

What we have done to assure our Landlords that they are getting good value for money is to look at what we charge for all of our services, by breaking down the different facets of what makes a Fully Managed service and price them individually.

Comprehensive cover.

 This of course makes quite a list, from Initially finding a Tenant through checking them in to the property, dealing with maintenance issues, visiting the property on a regular basis, collecting rent and paying via statement and of course chasing and pursuing arrears, as well as finally checking Tenants out of the property, which leads to where we normally started, with a review of the home and advice pre renting again.

Value for money.

Of course when you look at the charges broken down in this manner, then the overall average charge to a Landlord under Full Management no longer looks out of place, and at times we need to be aware of what saving a Landlord would make set against paying individually. Not that I believe Landlords are wrong to review what they pay, far from it, this is what  they should do as would I for regular occurring expenses, especially under the current financial restraints that everybody is feeling.

Review services.

What we should be able to do as Agents is be aware of the possible financial restraints our customers are going through and be ready to assist the process, which means we need to review every section of our service and ensure we can offer each separate part in a professional and cost effective manner. Because even though Landlords may wish to make savings, there are still bound to be parts of what we do that would make better sense and that Landlords would still prefer to be dealt with by others, just look at Property Visits, or of course Rent collection and arrears chasing. There is no doubt in my mind that just like any other organization in these difficult times, we need to be ahead of the game on our Landlord’s behalf, as the financial situation is not going to change (as my Father would say) ‘just yet a while!’

11Oct 2011

Property Landlord advice: SAFEagent (3): At last friends in high places!!

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By Mike Edwards

The final stage in the initial creation of the SAFEagent scheme which soon launches to the public, will see it do so with a major endorsement from housing minister Grant Shapps. The endorsement includes displaying the kitemark on the CLG website, whilst Shapps has congratulated the industry for taking matters into its own hands and urged agents not signed up to the SAFEagent scheme to do so immediately. He announced the Government’s official support for the industry-led campaign at the same time as launching new factsheets for landlords and tenants. In them, both tenants and landlords are specifically advised that they should seek out a SAFEagent member. Shapps emphasised that he is supporting initiatives such as SAFEagent in preference to regulating the private rented sector. He has, however, has taken no convincing regarding the merits of the SAFEagent scheme. He said it was aimed at addressing a key area of concern for both tenants and landlords when it came to letting agents – making sure their money is safe. 

Shapps said: “The private rented sector provides a valuable source of accommodation for over three million people in England, and the vast majority of them are happy with the service they receive. “That’s why I have promised not to wrap the sector in red tape, but instead to work with the industry to help them develop their own plans to tackle those bad landlords, and with councils to throw the book at those who don’t live up to their responsibilities.” He added that with SAFEagent he was “delighted the lettings industry has taken matters into its own hands, and is launching a quality standard that will ensure that landlords and tenants know what to expect from their members.  These improvements could never be achieved by adding layers of pointless Government regulations.”      

He went on: “This is exactly the sort of measure the private rented sector needs – simple and sensible changes that are driven by industry and designed to deliver results.” The SAFEagent scheme has been mentioned in the House of Lords as an example of the kind of voluntary initiative the Government wants to see in raising standards. But mandatory regulation of the private rented sector was not ruled out. It happened during a debate on an amendment to the Localism Bill aiming to insert a new clause into the Bill that would enable the statutory regulation of private letting agents to be introduced at some point. The amendment was also supported by the British Property Property Federation, Residential Landlords Association and housing charities.           

Responding at the end of a lengthy debate, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, a Conservative peer and House of Lords whip, said: “I am delighted that the Government have been able to endorse the Safe Agent Fully Endorsed scheme – SAFE – recently launched by the industry which highlights a key risk around clients’ money. He went on: “I have considerable sympathy with those who have been caught out by bad practice, but we do not think that regulation now is the right answer.” September has been a good month for SAFEagent as apart from Government endorsement and passing 1200 agent registrations CFP Software, part of Guardian Media Group, is the latest industry supplier to offer its support to SAFEagent.  CFPwinMan is the most widely used lettings and property management software package across the UK and is installed in over 3,000 businesses, with tens of thousands of users. It is the first, and currently remains the only, property management software to be accredited by the ICAEW.

07Oct 2011

Property Landlord advice: SAFEagent(2): A story of continued growth

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By Mike Edwards

Registration for the new SAFEagent scheme has consistently outperformed projections and expectations.

In June, the first full month of receiving registrations, over 500 agents signed up, keen to differentiate themselves by promoting  a simple kite mark for the consumer to recognise letting firms that protect landlords’ and tenants’ money through Client Money Protection schemes. By the end of June the figure had risen to 750 and the 1000 members mark was passed in July. Only agents covered by a CMP scheme can join SAFEagent, making it a fairly exclusive club. As commented on in our last item on this subject the premiums for CMP are way beyond an individual agent and it is only by being part of a group policy that an agent can obtain the cover.               

The initiative, which will be promoted to consumers by the end of 2011 following the initial push to agents, has received widespread support, including from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and Trading Standards Institute (TPI) and more recently Shelter. Shelter is very supportive of the SAFEagent scheme claiming their research has found that one million private renters have been the victim of scams and they welcome any initiative that helps tenants to make safe choices when they are looking for private rented accommodation thus avoiding avoid unscrupulous letting agents and landlords. They would also like to see letting agents doing more to ensure tenants are well informed when they look for a private let, assuring tenants that their deposit will be protected, providing written tenancy agreements and carrying out inventories. A professional and properly run lettings agency would do this of course, and much more, including having transparent fees schedules which can also help tenants to size up the additional costs of renting a home. Such processes and procedures can help to avoid problems later on that can lead to tenancy breakdown and problems for Landlords and tenants alike – not to mention their agents!!         .

SAFEagent marks a huge leap forward in the effort to eliminate the potential threat posed to consumers by uninsured agents, who are able to operate in the private rented sector without Government intervention though SAFEagent has always hoped to obtain Government recognition for the new mark. Whilst NALS, the Property Ombudsman, Council of Mortgage Lenders and Residential Landlords Association have been quick to back the SAFE initiative, both the RICS and ARLA have been notably tepid in their reactions.
Meanwhile August saw The National Union of Students, Which? and Citizens Advice Bureau placing their enthusiastic endorsements alongside backers which already included the likes of Shelter, The Property Ombudsman and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Trading Standards and The Residential Landlords Association.             

With the private rented sector continuing to grow so quickly and with more and more people relying on the rented accommodation, it is vital to have mechanisms like SAFEagent in place to make lettings a safe and professional sector, and ensure that tenants are not left out of pocket. CAB of course has a long history of seeking to protect the interests of tenants in the private rented sector, who are often among those who can least afford to lose money to the unscrupulous and clearly will see the SAFEagent scheme as helping to steer tenants towards reputable letting agents who are properly insured. The UK’s largest supplier of referencing to the lettings industry, HomeLet, became the first UK supplier to align itself to the SAFEagent campaign promising to raise awareness of the SAFEagent mark among its clients and encourage them to get registered.             

The message ultimately to consumers looks a simple one: be safe choose a SAFEagent when you rent or let 

Registration for the new SAFEagent scheme has consistently outperformed projections and expectations.

In June, the first full month of receiving registrations, over 500 agents signed up, keen to differentiate themselves by promoting  a simple kite mark for the consumer to recognise letting firms that protect landlords’ and tenants’ money through Client Money Protection schemes. By the end of June the figure had risen to 750 and the 1000 members mark was passed in July. Only agents covered by a CMP scheme can join SAFEagent, making it a fairly exclusive club. As commented on in our last item on this subject the premiums for CMP are way beyond an individual agent and it is only by being part of a group policy that an agent can obtain the cover.               

The initiative, which will be promoted to consumers by the end of 2011 following the initial push to agents, has received widespread support, including from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and Trading Standards Institute (TPI) and more recently Shelter. Shelter is very supportive of the SAFEagent scheme claiming their research has found that one million private renters have been the victim of scams and they welcome any initiative that helps tenants to make safe choices when they are looking for private rented accommodation thus avoiding avoid unscrupulous letting agents and landlords. They would also like to see letting agents doing more to ensure tenants are well informed when they look for a private let, assuring tenants that their deposit will be protected, providing written tenancy agreements and carrying out inventories. A professional and properly run lettings agency would do this of course, and much more, including having transparent fees schedules which can also help tenants to size up the additional costs of renting a home. Such processes and procedures can help to avoid problems later on that can lead to tenancy breakdown and problems for Landlords and tenants alike – not to mention their agents!!         .

SAFEagent marks a huge leap forward in the effort to eliminate the potential threat posed to consumers by uninsured agents, who are able to operate in the private rented sector without Government intervention though SAFEagent has always hoped to obtain Government recognition for the new mark. Whilst NALS, the Property Ombudsman, Council of Mortgage Lenders and Residential Landlords Association have been quick to back the SAFE initiative, both the RICS and ARLA have been notably tepid in their reactions.
Meanwhile August saw The National Union of Students, Which? and Citizens Advice Bureau placing their enthusiastic endorsements alongside backers which already included the likes of Shelter, The Property Ombudsman and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Trading Standards and The Residential Landlords Association.             

With the private rented sector continuing to grow so quickly and with more and more people relying on the rented accommodation, it is vital to have mechanisms like SAFEagent in place to make lettings a safe and professional sector, and ensure that tenants are not left out of pocket. CAB of course has a long history of seeking to protect the interests of tenants in the private rented sector, who are often among those who can least afford to lose money to the unscrupulous and clearly will see the SAFEagent scheme as helping to steer tenants towards reputable letting agents who are properly insured. The UK’s largest supplier of referencing to the lettings industry, HomeLet, became the first UK supplier to align itself to the SAFEagent campaign promising to raise awareness of the SAFEagent mark among its clients and encourage them to get registered.             

The message ultimately to consumers looks a simple one: be safe choose a SAFEagent when you rent or let.