Why is it important for us to be Safeagent accredited?
We are proud to have been safeagent accredited since 2008 and have therefore continued to provide excellent service with a trusted reputation which is built on recommendations. But why is this important to us and what benefit is it to you?
What is Safeagent?
Safeagent is Government recognised and the UK’s leading accreditation scheme for letting agents. Their aim is to establish an easily recognisable stamp, so that customers can be assured that their agent offers adherence to a strict accreditation criteria. Safeagent is the only agent organisation whose sole focus is consumer protection, operating on a not-for-profit basis.
As standard agents are required to have a Client Money Protection policy which ensures vital protection for their landlords and tenants and therefore peace of mind that their money is in safe hands and that the agent can't do anything with their money that they shouldn’t.
What does this mean for our landlords?
The safe agent accreditation is an assurance to landlords that Maldon Lettings will provide a professional service, client money protection and be affiliated with a Government backed redress system and professional indemnity insurance.
In addition to the above it also ensures that Maldon Lettings will as standard:
Meet defined standards of customer service.
Have a written customer complaints procedure available on request offering adjudication through a redress scheme.
Have current Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Hold a dedicated client bank account designated as only holding clients money.
Commit to an annual independent inspection of their client accounting procedures.
Why are we happy to be members of Safeagent?
Being a member of this scheme since we opened our doors means there’s no second guessing for the client. You know that we want and have to do what we’ve agreed to do. We have chosen to be part of this scheme and there’s no ifs and buts when it comes to what’s expected of us. Therefore we are happy to go to these extra measures to assure you. It’s not an option because it’s not legally required. So if your current agent isn’t prepared to do the same, do you feel they are really acting in your best interest?
WHAT’S ALSO REQUIRED AS PART OF THE minimum service standard IN ORDER TO BE ACCREDITED?:
Rent appraisals, including a visit to the property and advice regarding any works required to bring the property to a standard fit for letting, including required safety checks.
Protect the deposit using a statutory Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
Prepare an inventory and schedule of condition.
Provide and complete a tenancy agreement.
Provide regular statements of account to the landlord.
Collect and pay rents as agreed, ensuring rent payments are kept up to date and taking necessary steps if money is owed.
Advise on rent increases and options available at the end of a tenancy.
Serve the correct notices, should this be required.
Carry out end of term checks at the property.
Of course we will always provide a written agreement for our services and clearly set out the costs of these. If you do not employ Maldon Lettings to manage your property, only the service standards relevant to finding a tenant and letting the property will apply.