If you are a tenant or a landlord looking to use the services of a letting agent, it’s important to know that they are regulated by governing bodies to ensure that they adhere to certain standards and codes of practice.
These governing bodies exist to protect the interests of both landlords and tenants and to maintain the reputation of the industry as a whole. In this article, we will explore the main governing bodies for letting agents in the UK, including the UKALA, and provide information on how to make a complaint about your letting agent.
National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS)
NALS is a national licensing scheme for letting and management agents in the UK. It was set up in 1999 and aims to promote the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the industry. To become a member of NALS, agents must meet certain requirements and undergo regular training and assessments. Members are also required to adhere to a code of practice, which covers areas such as advertising, tenant deposits, and client money protection.
Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
ARLA is a professional body for letting agents in the UK. It was established in 1981 and has over 9,000 members. To become a member of ARLA, agents must meet certain criteria, including having a certain level of knowledge and experience in the industry. Members are also required to abide by a code of conduct, which covers areas such as client money protection, advertising, and complaints handling.
Property Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is an independent complaints resolution service for the property industry in the UK. Letting agents who are members of TPO are required to follow a code of practice, which covers areas such as advertising, client money protection, and complaints handling. If you have a complaint about your letting agent, you can escalate it to the Property Ombudsman for resolution.
National Landlords Association (NLA)
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is a membership organisation for landlords in the UK. However, letting agents can also become members of the NLA. The NLA provides support and guidance to landlords and letting agents and lobbies on their behalf on issues affecting the private rented sector.
United Kingdom Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
UKALA is a professional body for letting agents in the UK. It was established in 2014 and is part of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP). To become a member of UKALA, agents must meet certain criteria, including having a certain level of knowledge and experience in the industry. Members are required to adhere to a code of practice, which covers areas such as client money protection, advertising, and complaints handling.
How to Complain About Your Letting Agent
If you have a complaint about your letting agent, the first step is to raise the issue with them directly. Letting agents are required to have complaints handling procedure in place, which should be outlined in their terms of business. If you are not satisfied with their response, you can escalate the complaint to the relevant governing body for further investigation.
When making a complaint, it’s important to provide as much detail as possible, including dates, times, and names of people involved. Keep copies of any correspondence or documentation related to the issue, as this may be useful if the complaint is escalated. If you have suffered financial loss as a result of the letting agent’s actions, you may be able to seek compensation.
If you are looking to use the services of a letting agent in the UK, it’s important to choose one that is a member of a governing body and adheres to a code of practice.
The main governing bodies for letting agents in the UK are NALS, ARLA, TPO, NLA, and UKALA. These bodies exist to protect the interests of both landlords and tenants and to maintain the reputation of the industry as a whole. By choosing a letting agent who is a member of one of these organisations, you can be confident that they will operate to high standards and that you have recourse if something goes wrong.
It’s worth noting that not all letting agents in the UK are members of a governing body. While membership is not a legal requirement, it’s a good indication that the agent takes their responsibilities seriously and is committed to providing a professional service. If you are in doubt about whether an agent is a member of a governing body, you can check on the relevant organisation’s website.
In addition to the governing bodies outlined above, there are also other professional organisations that letting agents may belong to. These include the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the Guild of Residential Landlords. While these organisations do not specifically regulate letting agents, they provide additional training and support to members and promote best practice in the industry.
When choosing a letting agent, it’s important to do your research and to ask questions about their experience, qualifications, and membership of professional organisations. You should also ask for references from previous clients and check reviews online to get a sense of their reputation.
If you do have a complaint about your letting agent, it’s important to try and resolve the issue directly with them in the first instance. If this is not successful, you can escalate the complaint to the relevant governing body for further investigation. The process for making a complaint will vary depending on the organisation, but most will require you to provide evidence to support your claim.
