1st August 2012 marks the official first birthday of SAFEagent.
SAFEagent was an industry initiative to create a signpost to lettings agents with client money protection.
There are several schemes in the sector operated by ARLA/NFOPP, the Law Society, NALS and RICS to which agents voluntarily belong.
The message is simple: Landlords and tenants should ensure that their lettings agent has client money protection and SAFEagent indicates this, making it easy for the consumer to identify “safe” agents.
Property Tribes is a supporter of SAFEagent because we recognise that without tenants, none of us have a business. SAFEagent is consumer facing and seeks to educate tenants & Landlords about the importance of client money protection. It is independent and rises above industry politics. It has an uncomplicated and transparent agenda.
These are very turbulent times in the lettings arena, and we believe that SAFEagent is needed now, more than ever.
So, Happy Birthday SAFEagent!
This video, which I was delighted to be asked to host, celebrates the first birthday, agents renewing their commitment to the scheme, and expresses SAFEagents aims for the future:
SAFEagent has been recognised by Housing Minister Grant Shapps who commented:
“The private rented sector provides a valuable source of accommodation for over three million people in England, and the vast majority of them are happy with the service they receive. That’s why I have promised not to wrap the sector in red tape, but to instead work with the industry to help them develop their own plans to tackle those bad landlords, and with councils to throw the book at those who don’t live up to their responsibilities“.
One of the highlights of SAFEagent’s first year was a Reception at the House of Commons on 15th May 2012 to celebrate SAFEagent Awareness Week. Guests included Lord Best, Charles Walker M.P., and other notable property people.
Please join us in wishing SAFEagent a Happy 1st Birthday! Without government regulation, it is up to the industry to regulate from within and support initiatives that help consumers make informed choices.
Vanessa Warwick
Follow me on Twitter: @4_walls
Vanessa Warwick is a former TV presenter, turned professional Landlord, consultant, and speaker. Along with her husband Nick Tadd, she founded Property Tribes, which is now the U.K.’s busiest on-line Landlord and investor community. Nick and Vanessa have just launched their new tech product, Yulpa, an on-line “property office/filo-fax” that helps you organise and manage your entire property life in one place. It comes with an iPhone app that does auto due diligence on any property being considered for purchase.
Vanessa and Nick advocate the use of technology and digital and social communications in property, and speak at events all over the U.K. as well as consulting for the BBC on property. They invest mainly in flats London and family houses in the South East and are also big advocates of holiday lets, having two upmarket holiday lets on the South Coast that achieve above-average occupancy thanks to the couple’s web efforts and vertical marketing strategies.
