The ARLA Code of Practice
This Code of Practice is not intended to be a step-by-step
guide to the letting and management of a property but purely to set
down what good practice should be in some of the key areas.
Specific processes, procedures, obligations or responsibilities may
vary depending on individual Terms of Business and the relevant
Tenancy Agreement.
Where a formal written complaint is made against a Member Firm,
any such complaint will be considered against the guidance
contained within this Code of Practice combined with the
Association's byelaws, plus any relevant statutory approved codes,
applicable legislation and taking account of lawful obligations
and/or responsibilities set out in the pertinent Terms of Business
or the Tenancy Agreement. A Member Firm following these practices,
complying with the byelaws, the law and fulfilling contractual
obligations etc is therefore unlikely to be found to have acted
without reasonable competence. Although it is for each practitioner
to decide on the appropriate procedure to be followed in any
particular circumstance. Where a Member Firm has not complied with
this Code of Practice or statutory or contractual obligations
mentioned above, it would be expected to justify such departures in
the light of any complaint.
Aims of this Code of Practice:
- To help to ensure that clients, customers and staff of members
are aware of the expectations of standards of service that ARLA
members strive to provide.
- To help to maintain and enhance the reputation, standing and
good name of ARLA and its membership by protecting the public
against fraud, misrepresentation and malpractice in the lettings
industry.
- To help to ensure that there is a positive differentiation
between ARLA members' service standards and other letting
agents.
The ARLA Code of
Practice
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Code of Practice
Please go to the following TPO webpage. If the subject of a
complaint, please chose the relevant code depending upon the dates
on which breaches are alleged to have ccurred :
The Property Ombudsman Code of Practice for Residential Letting
Agents
TPO Guidance
TPO and ARLA will take the following guidance into consideration
when considering the behaviour of agents:
- Canvassing for New
Business
-
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations