THE OMBUDSMAN SCHEME FOR ESTATES AGENTS
The scheme provides an independent and impartial facility for the resolution of complaints between those members of the public who buy, sell or let property and the agents they deal with. They can make awards of compensation where they feel that is relevant. The service is free to the public. The member agents of their scheme comply with a Code of Practice which lays down standards of business conduct. The public should ensure that they are dealing with a member of the scheme so that they can be confident about the firm's approach and where, if they feel disadvantaged, they have access to independent judgment of their complaint.
THE NATIONAL APPROVED LETTING SCHEME
is an accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents offering peace of mind to landlords and tenants in knowing that they are dealing with a firm which agrees to meet defined standards of customer service together with having in place the necessary insurances to protect clients’ money plus a customer complaints procedure offering independent redress.
TENANT DEPOSIT SCHEME
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme is run under Government legislation that requires Landlords to register details of the start and end of all new tenancies. The Dispute Service (TDS) runs this Scheme and is required to supply summarised details of all tenancies to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). As a member of this scheme we are able to comply with all new regulations and ensure that the tenants deposit is registered under the terms of the scheme. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme came into force on the 6th April 2007. If you are not protecting a tenant’s deposit you will be ordered to repay three times the amount to the tenant so find out how you can protect deposits and resolve disputes. When a landlord or letting agent takes a deposit from a tenant, the deposit must be protected in a government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme. This new rule applies if the tenancy is an assured short hold tenancy.