Estate and Letting Agents

It is a legal requirement for Estate and Letting Agents to join a Government-approved redress scheme. The two schemes approved by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team are:

• Property Redress Scheme
• The Property Ombudsman

Association of Residential Letting Agents

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. Members are governed by a Code of Practice providing a framework of ethical and professional standards and are required to have professional indemnity insurance cover.

ARLA members are covered by a bonding scheme which provides financial protection for client monies which have been misappropriated and 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.

NAEA Propertymark

NAEA Propertymark is the UK’s leading professional body for estate agency personnel; representing members who practice from over 12,000 offices in all aspects of property services. We are dedicated to the goal of professionalism within all aspects of property, estate agency and land. Our aim is to reassure the general public that by appointing a NAEA Propertymark Protected agent to represent them, they will be safeguarded and receive the highest level of integrity and service for all property matters.

Property Ombudsman - Lettings

All estate agents are required to register with an Estate Agents Redress Scheme which can investigate complaints from members of the public. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is an approved scheme under the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007.

Many estate agents have voluntarily agreed to follow The Property Ombudsman Code of Practice for Residential Estate Agents. Estate agents who follow the Code of Practice are required to provide additional consumer protection that goes beyond that required by law. They can be recognised by the blue TPO logo which they will display on their literature, websites and office windows.

Registered agents, who have chosen to not voluntarily abide by the obligations of the Code of Practice are not entitled to display the blue TPO logo.

Please visit the TPO website to verifiy the current membership status for this agent.