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Written by rosalind renshaw

No decision has yet been made as to whether ARLA will support the industry’s SAFEagent initiative.

The scheme, which will support ARLA by endorsing all those bodies with client money protection, has won the support of consumer bodies, the Property Ombudsman, the Government and industry suppliers including Rightmove and Homelet.

A kitemark will show the public which letting agents have client money protection in place – possible only by agents having membership of bodies such as ARLA, NALS, NAEA and RICS.

The scheme was understood to have been due for discussion at a meeting of the NFoPP board last week.

But this week, Peter Bolton King, chief executive of NFoPP, said: “The subject is still under discussion with Tim Hyatt, the ARLA president.”

 

Comments

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    Safeagent is just a way to try and make more money from agents. We are ARLA members and should not be deemed not safe just because we refuse to join this stupid scheme.

    ARLA is the association for letting agents, no one else.

    Please stop trying to confuse consumers into thinking that there is a new association out there.

    It is absolutely ridiculous. Can some tell me who it was that actually came up with this stupid idea in the first place?

    • 18 October 2011 19:31 PM
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    It seems less hesitating and more stalling!!

    • 18 October 2011 14:12 PM
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    "transparent agent" - is fine - but the issue is its NOT a transparent complainant scheme. Anonymous posts are unacceptable and can be malicious and unproven.

    Remember - even GOOD agents go bust - so if they dont have CMP, then the customer is screwed.

    You cant compare a referencing site with a scheme which educates the consumer and protects consumers money

    • 17 October 2011 10:12 AM
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    We are also members of ARLA however rather than joining the SAFEagent scheme, we opted to join allagents "transparent agent" scheme.

    Guess what, we have seen an increase in new business and even when we are up against competition, all we do is refer the customer to this site and guess what, we win the business!

    Consumers regard this site as the "trip advisor" for the property market. They are honeslty not interested in whether we are a member of ARLA . So if they are not interested in ARLA then what chance has SAFEagent got??

    If agents think that joining and promoting this SAFEagent scheme is going to win them business, then they are sadly barking up the wrong tree.

    • 15 October 2011 12:41 PM
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    HAHAHAHA

    PBK = David Brent - sooo funny. Thanks @let meister.

    In fairness - Mr Brent is a bit more believable and more in touch with reality.

    Honestly - I would ask SAFE to run ARLA (and yes - I am a licensed member) If they did - it would be AWESOME.

    • 13 October 2011 20:43 PM
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    I find this whole saga funny really.

    ARLA (ian Potter & PBK) v Foxtons, Winkworth, Belvoir, Sequence, Bushells, Northwood, Young London, Touchstone, Housing Minister, etc.

    Their can only ever be one winner. And it wont be ARLA.

    • 13 October 2011 19:49 PM
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    FACT - Until greedy landlords accept that low fees are not the priority and stop screwing agents for cheap deals no scheme will win and those landlords get what they deserve followed by an "I TOLD YOU SO" email.

    • 13 October 2011 19:39 PM
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    I joined SAFE after hearing Young London talk. I met a few others at 2 conferences.

    In the words of one of the SAFE Agent group.

    "Sorry for trying to do something good"

    Says it all. No agenda - no return. Well done SAFE.

    PBK is becoming a comedy icon to match David Brent.

    I am surprised Tim Hyatt doesnt do something - I remember Tim from my Foxtons days - he was a force to be reckoned with. Come on Tim - stand up and be counted. You are a front line go getter - not a salaried administrator.

    Or have you been assimilated?

    • 13 October 2011 19:32 PM
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    Seriously - who cares what ARLA thinks. Their ill thought out 'licensing' scheme has given SAFE a mandate to batter them - but they haven't. I bloody would.

    Frankly - no one cares about a trade 'club' - their latest change to is CPD "You must attend our courses so we can make more money"

    ARLA, NFoPP is a commercial business.

    SAFE is an initiative and the people behind get nothing back and their input is voluntary as opposed to the fat cats at ARLA who get freebies, salary and free holidays - sorry fact finding trips.

    In my book - that gives SAFE HUGE kudos and shows ARLA are a) selfish b) self serving c) short sighted

    • 13 October 2011 19:22 PM
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    eromallid - NALS is NOT a trade organisation like ARLA it is an accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents set up by John Prescotts office.

    SAFE was an initiative started by AGENTS some of who were ARLA members. NALS agreed to administer it and it was encouraged and endorsed by Government. ARLA were kept informed and encouraged to offer input.

    If ARLA hold CMP at the heart of their objectives, why do they allow members to display the ARLA logo when they don't have CMP or PI Insurance? The SAFE mark overcomes this enigma.

    As for NAEA? Well, they are probably still smarting from the ARLA leaflet which tells consumers not to use them DESPITE having the SAME CMP cover!

    NFoPP is a funny old thing.

    And for the record - you omitted the issue of missing rent and landlords liability for deposits.

    • 13 October 2011 19:00 PM
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    Have NAEA endorsed SAFEagent yet? One assumes that either NFoPP do so collectively or not at all.

    I never thought I would ever say this, but I actually feel sorry for ARLA. Ignoring RICS who with their Royal Charter are, I respectfully suggest, in a different league, ARLA pioneered the CMP concept in the letting industry and had a level of consumer protection that WAS better than everyone. They promoted the 'first resort' CMP concept for years as their main consumer USP. Sadly no one seemed to take the slightest bit of notice.
    The real consumer (the tenant) now has their deposit covered under the TDP scheme legislation (or should have) so do landlords who control the process really care - seemingly not if ARLA's historic experience is anything to go by?
    Finally, the political dimension is palpable. ARLA have always perceived NALS as a threat to their organisation. Will they find it easy to promote an initiative / concept - boastfully administered by a competitor, they perceive as having been stolen from them. I suggest they might find it difficult?

    • 13 October 2011 17:26 PM
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    Whatever is there to discuss?

    A simple idea which effectively says "Use an ARLA Agent" or an agent who is regulated and has CMP. (which confusingly some with an ARLA logo may not have)

    The Northern Ireland peace accord didn't take this long.

    • 13 October 2011 16:39 PM
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    @KBG

    Your last para. says it all.

    SAFE is an endorsement, it is a common promotional logo for all properly regulated money protection schemes.
    The actual schemes themselves have singularly failed in becoming well know to the public.
    ARLA - NAEA - your members are deserting you for many reasons! (do not just blame the difficult times)
    Get a grip.

    • 13 October 2011 16:31 PM
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    "Peter Bolton King, chief executive of NFoPP, said: “The subject is still under discussion with Tim Hyatt, the ARLA president.”

    Its a very long conversation. 6 months so far - I hope they have a good tariff.

    • 13 October 2011 14:37 PM
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    I see it in simple terms.

    Trading Standards, TPOS, CML, CAB, Which? Government, RLA, Homelet, Boris, Shelter, NALS, Law Society, Rightmove, BPF, TDPG, Sequence, Spicerhaart, Andrews, and many others think it a good idea.

    Do ARLA know something no one else does? - or is it simply self interest that prevents them doing something for the benefit of the consumer? (Their members customers)

    Or perhaps its just blind arrogance that they really believe consumers give a damn about a trade body.

    • 13 October 2011 14:35 PM
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    I too was anti Safe and very protective of my ARLA status.

    But then I actually listened to what SAFE was having phoned one of the SAFE group I know from old.

    I have to say, the lack of information from ARLA appears almost disingenuous. Once explained - I had to agree - its a no brainer.

    Contrary to the impression given by ARLA - it is NOT a competing alternative - its an endorsement. I just cant see why ARLA is so insular and out of touch.

    • 13 October 2011 14:25 PM
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    Safe is a brilliant idea. I listened to them at the NALS conference and met with some of the steering group.

    All key note speakers were supportive and ARLA has seriously underestimated the people behind it and what they have achieved. What I was particularly impressed with was the fact that the SAFE chaps did not make ONE negative comment about ARLA - far from it.

    It seems insane that ARLA are being so thick - by supporting SAFE they could piggyback the PR and consumer groups PR- SAFE is a GIFT for ARLA and its amazing how many ARLA people support it.

    ARLA PLEASE LISTEN. ARLA'S PUBLIC PROFILE IS VERY POOR - HERE IS A CHANCE TO STEP UP TO THE MARK AND BE SEEN TO PUT THE CONSUMER FIRST.

    • 13 October 2011 13:33 PM
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    Initially I was anti (VERY) the SAFEagent scheme seeing it as just another way to take money from us. However I have listened to the arguments on both side and, after reading of yet more agents running off with the money, changed my mind.

    The industry NEEDS the confidence of landlord and tenants and they realise that swish offices do not guarantee that their money is safe. The SAFEagent scheme, whilst not 100% guaranteed, goes someway to providing that. It works for gas contractors, again not 100%, but no scheme can be 100%.

    All agents should join and support this scheme.

    • 13 October 2011 13:15 PM
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    Does it really matter NOW whether they back it or not?

    If the 'kitemark' of SAFEAgent does all it says: (i.e. is the common logo, visual to the public, for those who subscribe to a proper money protection scheme) ARLA members will join it - and many have done so already.

    The 'holding company' NFoPP, NAEA & ARLA are fast becoming a non issue to the profession and to the public mainly due to very poor PR.. They should prioritise massively their PR to the virtual exclusion of all else before it is too late.

    • 13 October 2011 09:27 AM
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    Has Tim got his violin at full blast then while all around him burns?!!

    Don't ARLA get it?

    Sooner or later they are going to have to endorse SAFEagent or they will be perceived as opposing it. Maybe CLG that they seem so keen to be seen talking to should have a word in their shell like - or one of their stooges in the House of Lords.

    Delaying only makes the embarrassment of not endorsing it earlier all the greater. Don't those at the top have any judgement or wisdom at all (sorry, daft question!)

    • 13 October 2011 08:23 AM
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