June, 2016
Naylor Powell is a proud member of SAFEagent. As a well-respected and trusted Letting Agency in Gloucester, we feel it is important for our landlords and tenants to see that we take our role very seriously.
‘SAFE (SAFE Agent Fully Endorsed) is a mark denoting firms that protect landlords and tenants money through client money protection schemes.’
The following press release issued from SAFEagent prior to their annual campaign explains more about the benefits of choosing the right Letting Agent:
(Source: http://safeagents.co.uk/agent-search/?search-option=location&lat=51.08642449&lng=-2.2381560000000036&location=Gloucester%2C+Gloucester%2C+UK 1st June ’16)
This June, 3,000 professional lettings agents across the UK will unite for the annual SAFEagent Awareness Week – highlighting to consumers the importance of choosing a professional agent who is part of a Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme.
This is the 5th anniversary of the campaign, which grows and gains momentum every year.
The week runs from 6th -10th June 2016 – and has the objective of reminding consumers that their finances are at risk if their chosen agent does not have client money protection in place.
This community supported and generated campaign always lights up the social web with tweets, status up-dates, and blogs, as well as an array of off-line activity, which includes agents be-decking their business premises with SAFEagent signage and balloons.
It gives SAFEagents a chance to highlight that they have client money protection in place, educate consumers as to its importance, and differentiate themselves from their competitors. It also showcases the industry united behind professional standards and making a stand against rogue agents.
The 2016 campaign will see SAFE sponsoring PropertyTribes.com for the duration of SAFEagent Awareness Week.
Property Tribes is one of the leading independent landlord and property investment discussion and information sharing forums in the U.K.
Nick Tadd, co-founder of Property Tribes commented:
“We are delighted that SAFEagent has chosen Property Tribes as an industry partner to communicate with landlords and bring awareness of client money protection and lettings agents who voluntarily subscribe to it, to the landlord audience.
This fits very well with the remit of our site – to create a better experience of the private rented sector for all parties involved with it. We look forward to working with SAFEagent during the week to create heightened awareness of CMP through content sharing on our site, and engaging landlords on this important topic”.
Industry supporters include Endsleigh Insurance, DPS, the Property Redress Scheme, and TDS.
The Government has also given its support to SAFEagent Awareness Week since its launch in 2011 and with the SAFEagent logo appearing in their “How to Rent” guide.
SAFEagent campaigns for full and mandatory CMP – which protects landlords and tenants from the worst practice in letting agency. While mandatory CMP is now firmly on the government’s agenda with amendments to the Housing and Planning Bill, it has still not been passed in law, leaving many consumers still at risk.
The market is huge, with an estimated £2.7 billion* held by letting agents in client accounts, but unfortunately there are still too many cases of criminal letting agents stealing landlord and tenant cash.
John Midgley, Chair of the SAFEagent Steering Group, says:
“If an agent were to steal landlord or tenant money without CMP in place there’s little chance of getting their money back. Choosing a letting agent without CMP in place is a massive risk for both landlords and tenants. Who can afford to lose thousands of pounds?
“While we are finally getting closer to mandatory CMP we aren’t there yet. It is so important that tenants and landlords understand that the right to redress only goes so far, and they need to choose their agent wisely by asking if they are part of a CMP scheme before entering into a contract with them. It can make all the difference”.
For further details on Naylor Powell Letting services visit our Landlords page here. Alternatively to speak to a member of our team call 01452 398010.
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