SAFEagent scheme exceeds all expections - 500 signed up in 2 weeks!!

June 9, 2011 - PRLog -- The SAFEagent initiative, launched by leading letting agents themselves, promotes a simple kitemark for the consumer to recognise letting firms that protect landlords’ and tenants’ money through Client Money Protection schemes.

The initiative, which will be promoted to consumers later this year following the push to agents, has received widespread support, including from the Ombudsman, Trading Standards, Council of Mortgage Lenders and Shelter – although both NFoPP and RICS have been lukewarm in their reception.

Shelter said: “We are supportive of the SAFEagent scheme. Our research has found that one million private renters have been the victim of scams and we welcome any initiative that helps tenants to make safe choices when they are looking for private rented accommodation to avoid unscrupulous letting agents and landlords.  

“Shelter would like to see letting agents doing more to ensure tenants are well informed when they look for a private let, assuring tenants that their deposit will be protected, providing written tenancy agreements and carrying out inventories. Transparent fees schedules can also help tenants to size up the additional costs of renting a home. We believe these steps can help to avoid problems later on that can lead to tenancy breakdown.”

Nick Cooper, chair of the SAFE steering group, said: “We are delighted that so many agents have understood what we are trying to achieve and have already signed up to SAFE.

“It shows that there is clear demand for additional consumer protection and this new mark is already going a long way to satisfy it, which is good news for our consumer launch later this year.

“SAFEagent marks a huge leap forward in the effort to eliminate the potential threat posed to consumers by uninsured agents, who are able to operate in the private rented sector without Government intervention.

“We look forward to seeing many more agents making the positive move to register.”

The scheme carries with it a nominal cost of £50 per agent (an extra £10 per additional office) as a marketing fee.

See http://www.safeagents.co.uk or contact 0845 519 7992 for more information.

You can also follow SAFEagent on Twitter @safeagent

The Steering Group behind this industry led initiative comprise:

Bushells
Belvoir!
Foxtons
Linley & Simpson
Northwood Franchising
Spicerhaart
Touchstone
Winkworth
Young London

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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