SAFEagent Consumer Kitemark - FREE Registration OPEN NOW

April 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Agents who hold Clients Money Protection Insurance (CMP) can now register for a single kite mark to tell their customers that their money is SAFE. Currently, members of a number of regulatory bodies provide CMP but it is very difficult for the consumer to know which organisations provide this peace of mind. As such, a group of leading agents created SAFEagent removing any confusion or false impression formed from agents who did not provide CMP.

Registration is FREE for agents who meet the criteria and they can join by visiting SAFEagents.co.uk and updates can be followed on Twitter @safeagent

The initiative has been welcomed by a host of consumer groups and Government is providing positive advice and support.

Christopher Hamer, The Property Ombudsman, said:

“As Property Ombudsman I support this initiative. Reducing the number of disputes and disadvantaged consumers must be a prime aim and anything which helps landlords find an agent who is committed to a high standard of service, and to protection of client funds has to be seen as positive. For agents it must be an advantage to be able to confirm to the public that they have a secure approach to holding client money.”

Alan Ward Chair, Residential Landlords Association (RLA) said:

A clear and recognizable brand will help build confidence with landlords as well as tenants who place large sums of money on trust with professional letting and management agents. It will place the onus on agents operating without CMP to answer the question “why not?”

Peter Rollings, Chief Executive of leading London firm Marsh & Parsons said:

'Renting a property can be stressful at the best of times however it's surprising the number of tenants who hand over 6 weeks deposit, a large sum by most people's standards to someone they hardly know. Landlords also trust the agent to hand over rent. The new Kitemark offers a one stop shop, a sort of ABTA for Letting agents, where tenants and landlords can be absolutely sure that nothing can go wrong. It is a great idea which will help clean up the industry and support the consumer and Marsh & Parsons will be supporting it wholeheartedly'

The initial launch of the kitemark will be aimed at agents with a consumer launch in the early summer.

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Bushells is one of London's leading Estate Agents. Founded in 1937, we are one of the most successful estate agents in London. We are members of all recognised industry bodies including ARLA, TPO and NAEA.