Article Overview
This article provides an overview of who NALS are, what they provide to the residential property lettings industry and how this relates to a tenant when they look to rent a property.
NALS - What is it, who are they?
NALS is short for the National Approved Lettings Scheme. The body are an accreditation scheme for Letting and Management Agents.
There are a number of aims that the scheme addresses.
- Provide an accreditation scheme which will control the service levels of an agent. This scheme is available for all firms and residential landlords who provide letting services to the private sector. The firm has a requirement to meet a certain set of standards and will be reviewed on an ad-hoc basis.
- The monitoring that the accredited letting agent is still upholding and compliant with the level of service and professionalism required to be a NALS certified agent/landlord.
- To encourage and promote a level of best practice in the industry. This occurs in a number of forms including publishing and promoting information to the members.
- To undertake an active promotion of the NALS agents by performing PR in order to provide a self funding scheme.
What do Letting Agents need to be accredited?
The main focus of NALS is that to the consumer that the letting agent has demonstrated that they are committed to meeting a certain level of customer service. The NALS scheme is fully supported by the leading industry boards which include ARLA, NAEA and RICS.
NB..For more information on these boards click on the names.
NALS now has nearing 1000 members across the UK and these range from the large national agents to the smaller independent trading branches. In order for an office to be a member of NALS they need to adhere to the customer service standards and have the necessary insurances, customer complaints policy and procedures.
Tenants and Landlords
Remember to look out for the NALS (National Approved Lettings Scheme) logo which will be featured with every agent who is a member.
There are a set number of guidelines that the agents will adhere to before, during and after you take up the rental of the property, some of these guidelines are listed below.
Before
- All property on the agents books has undergone thorough safety checks including, gas and electrical services, also your rights as a tenant are clearly explained.
- Ensure you are provided with copies of the safety certificates.
- Have communicated with the landlord about your rights as a tenant.
- Provided details of the property plus any contents (if applicable)
- Obtained the deposit, and explained where the deposit is held
- Provided details of the Utility Suppliers and the Council.
During
- Ensured that the correct procedure is carried out with regards the notice period.
- Arrange to check the condition of the property as agreed in the contract.
- Return the deposit in a timely manner, less any deductions made for any necessary replacements or damage.
If you would be interested in more information on NALS then please visit their website http://www.nalscheme.co.uk
Rentright is a residential property letting portal with property for rent from agents all over the country.