When it comes to choosing whom to trust with the sale of their home or which agent should manage their property let, property owners want to be more than confident in their choice. This is totally understandable when you consider a home is a huge investment, both personally and financially for all income brackets. The same applies when you consider commercial property too.
Historically the property market has been largely unregulated, but the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has emerged to fly the flag for quality and ethical standards within the industry. From a slow start, ARLA have gained in stature and prominence and today they lead the field in setting property industry standards.
There are four membership grades (Student, Associate, Member and Fellow) and all require that you are actually working as a residential letting agent with the exception of the Student grade. Sheridan Sales & Lettings are a MARLA member. As a principal of Sheridan Sales & Lettings, Sarah Sheridan is at a higher qualified Member grade (MARLA) than an employee (who is required to attain Level 2) and thus meets the higher criteria of Level 3.
ARLA now offer nationally recognised and relevant qualifications through Propertymark which launched in February 2017. The introduction of Propertymark made it easier for the user of property agencies as well as industry professionals alike as it promotes higher standards than legally required. Members are held to account to better regulate the industry, protect the consumer and raise standards. Propertymark combines ARLA, NAEA, NAVA, ICBA, APIP and NFoPP Awarding Body under a single umbrella and thus understanding industry qualifications and standards is simplified into one recognisable brand.
These qualifications confirm to our clients that we have the necessary expertise and professional commitment to deliver a quality service. We as an agency are committed to our landlords, tenants, vendors and home buyers alike and value their trust in us which is why we choose to uphold these guidelines and standards.
There are significant benefits to clients who use a MARLA agent including up to date and informed legal guidance as needed. This is due to our access to unlimited professional legal advice direct from a team of legally trained specialists. Landlords, vendors, tenants and home buyers can all be confident that we work hard to do the very best for them whilst meeting and exceeding the highest standards.
To join and maintain our membership of ARLA we successfully attained a Level 3 in Residential Lettings and Property Management under Propertymark but is also a requirement that we complete 12 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) each year on an ongoing basis to continue our membership. There are a number of other obligations we have to meet under the ARLA Codes of Practice in order to retain our membership including current Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Another significant requirement of ARLA membership is participation in the Client Money Protection Scheme. The CMP Scheme is key to raising standards and confidence across the industry as it will refund landlords, tenants and any other clients in the event that rents, deposits or other client funds are mismanaged. These and other measures as stated in the conditions are applied by us and other ARLA members as a minimum.
We at Sheridan Sales & Lettings are very happy to comply with such standards and keep up with current legislation so our clients can be confident that we are offering a high quality customer experience. If you wish to read further about ARLA and Propertymark then please do so but rest assured we adhere to and often exceed the requirements of their Codes of Practice. We are assured that we are offering a good customer experience by being winners of the 2018 Gold Property Award.
If you would like to see how we can help with your property requirements please do give us a call on 01366 858228 or email us.
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