The National Approved Letting Scheme

NALS provides owners with the assurance of

• a professional, regulated service

• existing control imposed by the organisation to which the agent belongs

• an effective complaints redress system backed by professional indemnity insurance

• a clients' money protection scheme

NALS is backed by

• The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)

• The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)

• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

• The Housing Corporation

Service standard

NALS-approved agents have agreed to at least meet the following standards:

Before you let, the agent will

• Visit the property and give you advice on any action you need to take before you let the property. This includes any repairs that are needed to put it into a fit state for letting.

• Give you advice on the level of rent you can expect.

• Arrange for safety checks on gas and electrical services and appliances to be carried out, if you ask.

• Explain your rights and responsibilities and the tenant's rights and responsibilities.

• Give you advice on what action to take if the property is mortgaged.

• Give you advice on insuring the building and contents and other insurance schemes which may be available to protect your interests (for example loss of rent) if you need these.

• Go with possible new tenants to view unoccupied property.

• Choose a tenant in a way agreed with you, taking up references or checking the tenant's past rent payment record.

• Provide a schedule of condition of the property and a list of contents for you. The agent will then agree these with the tenant.

• Provide and fill in the tenancy agreement and either take a deposit to protect against possible damage or agree with you another sort of guarantee.

• Transfer the bills for the services for which the tenant will be responsible into the tenant's name.

During the tenancy, the agent will

• Collect the rent and pass it on to you every month or as you otherwise agree. The agent will keep a separate clients' account to hold all money and (except for Registered Social Landlords) belong to a clients' money protection scheme.

• Give you a statement of account as often as agreed with you, usually monthly.

• Visit the property in the first three months of the tenancy, and as often as agreed with you after this (for example, every three months), to check that it is being suitably looked after.

• Arrange to have routine maintenance work carried out, up to a limit agreed with you. The agent will refer expenditure above that limit to you for approval.

• Respond promptly to the tenant's enquiries.

• Keep an eye on the rent payment record and take reasonable steps to ensure prompt payment of any money owed.

Before the tenancy ends, the agent will

• Give you advice on your options, including reviewing the rent

If you want to end the tenancy, the agent will

• Serve the correct notices on the tenant

• Check the condition of the property and any contents and discuss any repairs with you before giving the deposit back or arranging for repairs.

• Collect the keys and make sure that the property is secure.

Note

If you do not employ the agent to manage your property, only the sections of this service standard which are relevant to finding a tenant and letting the property will apply.

Resolving Complaints directed at NALS agents from landlords and tenants

NALS-approved agents have to operate an internal complaints procedure and, if this does not result in agreement, offer mediation and binding arbitration. They must provide written details of their internal complaints procedure and the rules of the arbitration scheme for The National Approved Letting Scheme, on request. Landlords and tenants may use the internal complaints procedure and mediation but only landlords are eligible to proceed to the arbitration scheme in the event that a complaint is not amicably resolved during the earlier stags.

For more detailed information contact

National Approved Letting Scheme
Warwick Corner
42 Warwick Road
Kenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 1HE

Tel :  01926 866633
Fax : 01926 866644

Email : info@nalscheme.co.uk

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