For most, letting a property is "a big deal".
A Landlord needs a certain amount of assurance that their asset will be looked after, maintained, and rent paid on time.
For a Tenant, the rent is usually more than a mortgage payment and you need to provide over twice the rent fee
to cover the deposit on the initial application. Additionally - in some cases, if the tenants are not earning enough on
their annual income to be considered as a financially viable candidate for the property - a guarantor can be used.
This is where family member or a close friend contractually guarantees to pay any outstanding debts on the tenancy
that the tenant fails to pay.
More often than not its a routine process to let a property although
for some it can be stressful.
It's important that the tenant know their rights and has somewhere to turn if they are worried or need 3rd party
advice or guidance on the service they are getting from their agents.
Most reputable agents are usually members of at least one "Governing Body" that require a strict code of conduct; failure to do so can have
consequences for the agent.
LifeStyle, are members of all the major governing bodies - including:
ARLA was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. It was recognised that the requirements of the residential lettings market were so detailed and specific that a separate organisation was required to promote standards in this important and growing sector of the property market.
SAFE – Safe Agent Fully Endorsed – is a mark denoting firms that protect landlords and tenants money through client money protection schemes.
There are several schemes in the sector. These schemes are run by recognised industry bodies or organisations operating in the private rented sector to provide accreditation and/or regulation.
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is the UK's leading professional body for estate agency. Members practise across all aspects of property both in the UK and overseas, including residential and commercial sales and letting, property management, business transfer, auctioneering and land.
NAEA was established with the goal of upholding good practice and high professional standards in UK estate agency
The Property Ombudsman provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between sales and letting agents who have joined the TPO and consumers who are actual or potential buyers or sellers or landlords or tenants of residential property in the UK. The Ombudsman is a member of the Ombudsman Association and follows the standards and rules of the Association. The Ombudsman is totally independent of agents and reports directly to the TPO Council which has a majority of non-industry members.
Striving for high standards in Bristol - (BALMA)
Bristol Association of Letting and Management Agents (B.A.L.M.A.) is an established association of agents sharing their professionalism, striving to achieve high standards
to benefit both tenants and landlords; whether private home owners, professional landlords or investment companies.
B.A.L.M.A. agents work together under a code of practice, renting more accommodation successfully SUCCESSFULLY THROUGHOUT BRISTOL & AVON.
LifeStyle took the decision to become members of these bodies years ago to provide peace of mind to both Landlords and Tenants.
The code of conduct set out by each of these organisations means that you, the client, can rely on getting a great service from
knowledgeable, trained agents as well as having some where to turn to if for the remote chance that you are unhappy with the service in
any way.
