LETTINGSnews


FRANCHISING Belvoir trio are BFA finalists


Three Belvoir regional franchise owners have been selected as finalists in the BFA Franchisee of the Year Awards, supported by HSBC and Express Newspapers. Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray


and Luke and Jonathan Mason of Belvoir Hitchin were confirmed as finalists from a large number of strong entries spanning multiple sectors. The winners will be announced on 29th September. Belvoir MD Dorian Gonsalves


said, “The BFA awards highlight excellence in the sector and the commitment of those franchise owners who ‘set the standard’ for best practice in the industry. “Andy Campbell is Belvoir’s


longest serving franchise owner, celebrating 15 years in business. Luke and Jonathan only launched two years ago but have won several awards, including Belvoir’s Franchise of the Year 2010. “To be recognised as a finalist


for the prestigious title of BFA Franchisee of the Year is testament


REGULATION


TPO ‘random monitoring’ of letting agents


Last month The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPO) launched its strengthened


Code of Practice for member lettings agents and the revised Code will also complete Stage One of the Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. The scheme has two stages


and over the coming months TPO is required to demonstrate to the Office of Fair Trading that its members comply with the code in order to gain Stage Two and final approval. When this occurs, the TPO sales and lettings codes will have full OFT approval and lettings members will also be able to use the OFT logo.


Negotiations with OFT were


largely conducted by Bill McClintock, chairman of the TPO operating company, “The OFT scheme is recognised by consumers as being totally independent of the industry,


56 SEPTEMBER 2011 PROPERTYdrum


a unique feature offered by no other lettings body”. “Under our revised Code, all lettings agents need to have separate client money accounts and all our members are obliged to have professional indemnity insurance. Now that we have completed Stage One, lettings agents will undergo the same random monitoring we already apply to residential sales agents, which not only ensures higher standards for consumers but also points out to member agents precisely what they need to do to improve the service they offer. Consumers will be able to give feedback directly to TPO about their level of satisfaction. “Agents cannot influence


the outcome of these surveys because if there are any results pointing to exemplary or very poor service we then mystery shop the agents to make our own assessment. TPO now has 8,130 member residential lettings offices.


Andy Campbell, Belvoir, Moray


to the hard work, ambition and dedication that these franchise owners demonstrate every day, and recognises the professionalism and service they provide”.


REGULATIONS


Jonathon and Luke Mason, Belvoir Hitchin


Landlords ignore health and safety


Many landlords are still unaware of even basic health and safety rules when leaving their properties for rental, according to The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC). One in ten rented properties


have items such as soft furnishings, bedding and furniture that do not have the required fire and furnishing compliance labels and have to be removed. AIIC members still find the dubious – and illegal – practice of landlords ‘selling’ odd items of furniture, without fire and furnishing compliance labels, to incoming tenants. Pat Barber, Chair of The


AIIC, says, “A recent tenant told us – ‘I bought the sofa for £1, it’s really old and tatty, but a great bargain.’ When we pointed out that he would have to take it with him or


REGULATION Government support TDS Agents


Although Housing Minister Grant Shapps has ruled out compulsory Clients’ Money Protection for


letting agents in the foreseeable future, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, TDS, has welcomed government support for its members.


98 per cent of the Scheme’s members are letting agents who have separate clients’ money accounts,safeguarded through their membership of the industry organisations, ARLA, the NAEA, RICS, NALS and the Law Society. The self-regulation imposed on


their members has been praised by the Government in a letter to the Chief Executive of ARLA and the NAEA which points out that Government “Always suggests that


anyone considering using a letting agent checks to see that they belong to a trade body or accreditation scheme.” Steve Harriott, Chief Executive of the TDS said, “Tenants and landlords must check the agent has client money protection insurance. This provides the assurance that they will be giving their deposits and rents to a properly regulated agent. At TDS, we now refuse letting agents as members of our scheme unless we are sure that they belong to the industry organisations that insist on clients’ money protection. “We have taken the view that


unregulated agents are too risky for us to work with because of our bad experiences where a small but significant number have gone bust taking all their clients’ money with them,” he added.


dispose of it at his own cost when he moved out he was not quite so excited. “We see time and time


again, properties with fire hazards such as gas cylinders and chemicals stored incorrectly by the landlord. Tins of paint without the lids properly closed in kitchen cupboards – an accident waiting to happen. In fact, on compiling a new inventory recently, an inventory clerk opened a cupboard door and a large pot of paint fell from above, turning her nice smart black suit a whiter shade of pale!


“On more serious note, we


urge all landlords to ensure that all the soft furnishing, bedding and furniture is fire retardant with the correct labels and that hazardous materials are not stored in the property or garage.”


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