ARLA v SAFEagent? No - we are on the same side

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- The http://www.SAFEagents.co.uk  initiative was formed by a group of agents who put their competitive differences behind them when Grant Shapps expressly said he would not regulate and sought an industry led solution.

SAFE is fast heading towards 2000 safeagents. We are supported by the Ombudsman, the Government, Trading Standards, CML, RLA, Mayor or London, CAB, Which?, NUS, Shelter and many other organisation who support consumer interests.

SAFE supports ARLA - but SAFE also crucially supports NAEA, RICS, Law Society
and NALS as well. It’s all about consumer education; a subject upon which we all agree.

Too many customers wrongly believe that TPOS offers protection yet, for example, have no idea RICS does as they assume RICS members are just surveyors. Add in the confusion that a non licensed ARLA member can display the highly regarded ARLA logo on their business card yet not  necessarily have clients money protection, and the whole issue becomes even more confusing; though this, I am sure, will be addressed.

SAFE supports ARLA licensing - all we wish to do is highlight an important issue to consumers through independent consumer groups rather than through industry regulators alone.

Please be assured that SAFE in no way intends to compete or replace any of the regulators and supports the immense efforts they put in to raising standards. It is simply a mark to promote the regulators, offer a focal point on a key issue and provide a signpost to the public to ensure that they use an agent who is properly qualified and protects their interests and their money.

We have been in discussion with ARLA who have yet to comment on their position with regard to the SAFE initiative as, quite rightly, they are giving it serious consideration. Hopefully, we have addressed any concerns.

Regardless of their decision, SAFE will continue in its support of ARLA and Bushells and other members of the steering group will remain proud licensed members.

The issue has been that members of the big 5 regulators are very proud of their membership and of course promote this. I am an ARLA, NALS and NAEA member - but honestly - do I promote consumer awareness by praising RICS? No. Of course not - its business!

No one asks nor expects ARLA to compromise their membership by endorsing other regulators and it is this resultant fractured message which has contributed to consumer confusion. SAFE is non partisan and non political - it is a mark not an organisation nor a lobby group.

Ask a landlord which logo best offers consumer protection. We did. TPOS was the most frequent answer (The Property Ombudsman is one of our supporters!) . Even the Guild of Professional agents cropped up. Then ask which organisations offer Clients Money Protection  - and you will get a blank look. Tell a landlord that TPOS offer no protection - rather redress and you appear to be undermining TPOS or the competing agent. No matter how accurate your comments - they will appear unprofessional.

Sadly landlords often favour low fees over low risk. Government wont regulate and there is no point banging heads against walls and arguing they should - they have solid reasons.

Instead, SAFE was an initiative to flag this crucial issue and educate consumers and point them towards agents such as ARLA, RICS, NALS members. With respect,  the regulators have utterly failed to communicate to the public and rather than compete - we are trying to offer additional endorsement of their consumer protection intentions through independent consumer groups and not through a much maligned industry.

Trade bodies often get the response "Well, they would say that - wouldn't they!"

We sincerely hope that ARLA will say something like "We support SAFE's campaign to raise consumer awareness and in doing so are proud to be the benchmark of professional lettings agents and urge consumers to consult an ARLA Licensed member" - 2 birds - 1 stone.

Only time will tell. Nevertheless - the SAFE steering group is immensely pleased with the support we have generated and proud of the fact that the momentum we have achieved is a reflection upon agents determination to send a message to the public that most agents want professional standards and care about the consumer.

Most agents are professionals and are proud of the service they provide. SAFE is proof that industry wants to eradicate the rogue element and to do this we all need to pull together and put aside what could be construed as self interest.

SAFEagent knows that industry exists because of customers - not in spite of them.

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SAFE – Safe Agent Fully Endorsed – is a mark denoting firms that protect landlords and tenants money through client money protection schemes - Register Now Free
http://www.safeagents.co.uk