Why an ARLA agent?

Applegate Lettings are proud to be members of ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents. We are one of the very few fully qualified, ARLA accredited letting agents in Holmfirth and Huddersfield, providing real peace of mind for both landlords and tenants. But for many, the following questions are raised….

Why use an ARLA credited letting agent?

How does an ARLA credited letting agent differ from any other?

What are the benefits that come from this accreditation for the landlord/tenant?

We’d like to answer those questions today.

Every year, unlicensed agents are causing unnecessary stress and hassle for Britain’s homebuyers and sellers by giving incorrect or misleading advice or offering poor standards of customer service. By using a licensed ARLA agent you are guaranteed the following:

• That the agency is covered by ARLA’s Client Money Protection Scheme (CMP). The ARLA have the ability to make discretionary grants (up to pre-set limited) if you suffer financial loss due to the bankruptcy or dishonesty of the member and/or their firm.
• That the agency has Professional Indemnity Insurance. This ensures that you are financially covered for successful claims relating to members’ negligence, bad advice or mishandling of data.
• To be consulting with a qualified and trained agent who can give you professional up-to-date advice and guidance. All of ARLA’s members are required to carry out at least a minimum level of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year and many do more.
• That you are dealing with an agent who voluntarily follows the Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct laid down by their professional body. If an agent does not follow the code, they can be fined or in the worst cases expelled from membership of ARLA. ARLA’s disciplinary process includes everything from cautions and warnings right through to more severe penalties of up to £5,000 for each rule breached. You can be sure that the highest standards are upheld by ARLA’s members.
• That you have route to redress should something go wrong. It is a mandatory requirement that all our members belong to an independent redress scheme, the choice being either the Ombudsman Services: Property or the Property Ombudsman Service. This gives you the consumer an added level of protection. The Property Ombudsman Service can award payments of up to £25,000.

As a member of the public, by choosing an ARLA member, you can be sure you are dealing with an experienced and professional agent. Membership of the Association is through formal qualification ensuring that ARLA member agents have the knowledge and experience to guide you through your property transaction as smoothly and painlessly as possible. Operating under strict rules of conduct, members must meet certain standards relating to professional and ethical practice. Under the rules, agents are required to protect and promote their client's interests, while at all times acting in a fair and proper manner. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer at the hands of malpractice by an ARLA letting agent, the Association can take disciplinary action on your behalf.

The bottom line is, you are better protected and will get higher standards from ARLA members and Applegate Lettings are proud to be members of this association.