Why should you use a qualified ARLA Propertymark letting agent?

We are delighted to be members of ARLA PROPERTYMARK and to be able to offer our landlords and tenants decades of experience in the private rental sector in Banbury, Deddington, Bloxham, Bicester and surrounding Oxfordshire villages.  Annabelle and Sarah are both level 3 qualified, which means that they have studied hard and passed 4 exams covering:

• Health and Safety, Security and General Law:  General concepts of law relevant to a property professional, understanding the historical development of the law as well as current concepts, relevant statute and common law.
• Legal Aspects of Letting and Management: Covering all aspects of the law specific to the letting and management of residential property, including law and legislation regarding granting, administration, financial management and termination of the various types of residential tenancies.
• Residential Property Letting Practice:  How to legally carry out the letting of a residential property, ensuring that our actions when dealing with landlords & tenants are to the specified standard, and understanding the appropriate practices adopted for taking client's instructions, finding tenants and preparing appropriate documentation.
• Residential Property Management Practice: The management aspect of residential property, including dealing with repair & maintenance, appointing contractors related to residential properties, problems associated with managing residential properties and end of tenancy duties.

So we wanted to give you an insight into why we choose to be members of ARLA PROPERTYMARK members and what that means to you, our customer.

Firstly what is ARLA Propertymark?

ARLA is the Association of Residential Property Agents, the regulatory body of letting agents, under the Propertymark umbrella, which also incorporates the National Association of Estate Agents, the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers, commercial agents and inventory clerks. Propertymark is the leading membership body for all property agents and gives professional credibility, compliance support, legal and HR advice, training and continued professional development (CPD) to its members. In addition the Propertymark team lobby and influences government decisions for the sector.

All Propertymark members are required to be qualified in their sector of the industry and to complete and record at least 12 hours of CPD annually.

What does that mean to our customers?

Selecting a credible agent can be a difficult process and yet it is crucial to your property selling or letting experience. Picking a Propertymark agent means your agent will be accountable for their actions, they must adhere to strict codes of practice, and they must protect you, your property and your money.  All Propertymark agents are fully regulated and must provide evidence of their client accounting and on-going training.

Why is it important to choose a Propertymark agent?

The private rental sector is incredibly fast-moving due to regulatory changes that seem to happen annually, if not more frequently than that, but also from the different property trends, types of tenants, stock levels, essential supply and demand affecting price, and the wants and needs of tenants.  It is incredibly easy to miss out on important (and costly if ignored) legal aspects of residential lettings, whether you are a single landlord, a multiple landlord or even a letting agent.

Here are some interesting stats: -

• There are over 21,000 letting agents in the UK
• Over 2.6 million landlords
• Only 9,500 agencies are members of ARLA Propertymark
• Around 1,100 belong to the other regulatory body UKALA
• A 2019 Government report found that only 48% of landlords in the UK use a letting agency to let their rental property.

Putting all of those figures together it is a worry that so many people working in the PRS as landlords or letting agents are not regulated, have not passed their exams and ultimately, could very easily become out of date with their legal knowledge, and possibly fall foul to the law.

That is why we put our heads above the parapet and ensure you that the service we provide is top class and always adheres to the law.  It means that you can put your trust in us and have complete peace of mind where your rental property or properties are concerned.  If you have any questions at all, please contact me on:  Annabelle@cherry-lets.co.uk