Report a maintenance issue
Believe it or not, you don’t have to be qualified to set up an estate or lettings agency! While some legislation exists, pretty much anyone can start an estate agency business. So how do you know you’re employing the services of someone who is trustworthy, professional, and capable of handling your major property investment?
That’s where accreditation and industry standards come in. Our experts are some of the best in the business, but we don’t expect you to take our word for it.
Have you seen all the logos at the bottom of our website or on our accreditations page? Every single one of these demonstrates our commitment to you to always go above and beyond what is required to ensure you get the best possible service.
We seek accreditation from the industry’s most respected and professional bodies and regulators. This is our guarantee that we adhere to rigid codes of conduct, regularly update our knowledge and skills, and are compliant with the highest sector standards.
At Readings, we’re happy to always go the extra mile, to open ourselves up to regular compliance checks, and to get accreditation and regulation from prestigious industry organisations. The overall aim is protection for you – whether that’s protection for your money or your peace of mind. We want you to feel completely at ease when you do business with us, assured in the knowledge that your investment is in safe hands with us.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary
- Our ARLA Propertymark membership means protection for your income, provides regulation in accordance with a code of conduct, and requires us to submit our accounts for independent annual inspection.
- The Propertymark scheme is the combined seal of approval from the biggest names in the industry. It signifies our compliance with a code of conduct and involves disciplinary action for non-compliance.
- Our Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Membership demonstrates our subscription to the highest professional and ethical standards while working alongside global industry experts. It also means that we have extensive PI insurance in place, together with some of the most comprehensive client money protection standards in the industry.
- Membership of The Property Ombudsman includes adherence to government-approved codes of practice – far beyond what the industry demands. It provides you with a professional complaints procedure and means of redress in the unlikely event of a complaint.
ARLA
ARLA – Association of Residential Letting Agents
We are members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, and that membership has to be earned by meeting a number of criteria designed to demonstrate our knowledge, professionalism, and experience.
ARLA membership encompasses:
- Regular training to keep our skills and experience up to date
- Professional indemnity insurance
- An annual inspection of accounts by an independent accountant
- Regulation in accordance with a code of conduct
ARLA is also one of the main awarding bodies of the Propertymark.
NAEA and Propertymark
Propertymark is a combined seal of approval from a number of the most prestigious industry bodies. Established in 2017, it brings five awarding bodies together, including the National Association of Estate Agents, under one umbrella brand. Propertymark estate agents are regulated in accordance with a code of conduct, rules, and disciplinary action for non-compliance.
Working with a Propertymark agency gives you the peace of mind that you’re employing the services of a professional and trustworthy business.
The Propertymark logo symbolises our guarantee that Readings is fully up to date with the law, is well regulated – and that your money is protected. The regulatory board makes sure that members maintain the high standards they have committed to by signing up to the Propertymark.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a well-known and well-respected organisation that promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in all aspects of the development and management of land, real estate, construction, and infrastructure.
Being members of the RICS enables us to constantly develop our skills, expertise, and insight, alongside experts from across the globe. There’s a strong focus on the highest quality of professional and ethical standards, which completely aligns with our own mission and values here at Readings.
This unique access to the latest thinking also helps to ensure we’re always ahead of the game and at the forefront of the industry.
Another huge bonus of being a member of the RICS for the customer is a financial guarantee through the Client Money Protection scheme (CMP scheme).
For Readings clients, this means protection for your property and income.
The Property Ombudsman
This independent, Government-approved, scheme provides both customers and agents with a form of redress in the event of a dispute.
Joining TPO is a sign of our commitment to upholding robust professional standards in all the work we do for you.
The Property Ombudsman Codes of Practice have been approved by the Trading Standards Institute and those who adhere to them are operating at a much higher standard than is legally required in the industry.
All our staff are trained to meet these standards and, in the unlikely event that you do have a complaint, you can rest assured that it will be dealt with professionally, with additional recourse to The Property Ombudsman if you’re not satisfied with the in-house procedure.
To conclude
At Readings Property Group, our reputation for honesty and integrity is hard-earned. We appreciate your custom and respect how important it is that you get the peace of mind of knowing that you can trust us with your investment. We will always strive to prove our value and are happy to put in the extra work required to achieve additional accreditation, far above what the industry demands.
If you need professional advice from knowledgeable and trustworthy property experts, give the Readings team a call.
