Address Simply Let, , Scotland, UK
Telephone: 01463 718 888 Fax: 07762 206 761
Website: http://www.simplylet.biz
Leading the field in lettings
Landlords looking to appoint a letting agent should consider carefully what credentials their has and, in particular, should ensure that the agency has a client money protection scheme in place,” says Simply Let director John Gell.
“We always try to ensure landlords and tenants are aware of why they should use a properly regulated letting agent. There are no laws in place to regulate letting agents, meaning that anyone is free to set up in business with or without protection for tenants or landlords. In July last year it was widely reported that a major Glasgow letting agent ceased trading leaving many landlords and tenants significantly out of pocket.”
Although there is no specific regulation of letting agents in the UK, a firm of chartered surveyors, as Simply Let is, must be regulated by the RICS. This means that landlords’ money and tenants’ deposits must be held in an account entirely separate from the agency’s own money.
“When the Tenancy Deposit Scheme kicks in, probably early next year, landlords will have a statutory obligation to hand over all tenants deposits to an approved third party deposit holder,” says John. “Can you be certain that your agent is in a position to do so? If that doesn’t happen, landlords themselves will be responsible for doing so and may not be in a position to access those funds.”
Simply Let was recently awarded the “Safe Agent” hallmark – a guarantee that clients’ money is safe. The firm is licensed by ARLA and was also the first letting agency in Inverness to be accredited by Landlord Accreditation Scotland. As well as offering those rock solid guarantees, the firm undergoes a programme of continuing professional development to keep abreast of rapidly evolving legislation and best practice.
John’s wife and fellow director Kathleen adds: “Our selling point is excellence and attention to detail. Clients expect an agency to safeguard and optimise their interests and our business depends entirely on how clients believe we measure up.”
With a steadily increasing portfolio and organic growth largely through recommendation, it seems that Simply Let is fully meeting those expectations.
As you visit ‘Simply Let’, you may find interest in following listings . . .
