FOXTONS SIGNS UP TO THE NATIONAL APPROVED LETTING SCHEME

June, 2007

Foxtons, London’s leading property services company, has signed up to the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) as part of its commitment to providing landlords and tenants with clearly defined levels of customer service and protection.

Under the accreditation, all 20 offices will become registered with NALS and all will work within the criteria set by NALS when letting and managing rented properties.

Foxtons has over 10,000 clients currently under management and Sarah Shortridge, director of corporate services, is confident that NALS accreditation, along with the company’s recent decision to join the voluntary Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme, will increase consumer confidence in the Foxtons’ service:

“In a fiercely competitive marketplace, customer service has to be a priority and it is an area that we have been working hard on in recent years and are absolutely committed to. 

“By adopting the lettings framework established by NALS, we send out a clear message to tenants and landlords; that in addition to our own professional code of conduct, we now also adhere to a set of standards put in place by an independent Government-supported scheme with the primary aim of raising standards in the lettings sector.”

Caroline Pickering, NALS chair, is delighted that Foxtons has committed to NALS:

“Every new entrant into the Scheme brings greater protection for landlords and tenants in the UK.  It is testimony to Foxtons’ service levels that they have met the rigorous standards required and I am sure that our work together in the coming months will ensure they reap maximum benefit from their NALS accreditation.”


For more information on Tenancy Deposit Schemes, look up www.communities.gov.uk and for more information on NALS, look up www.nalscheme.co.uk


Notes to editor

There are three Government approved scheme administrators:

  • Computershare Investor Services plc will run the single custodial deposit scheme, with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators providing the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. www.depositprotection.com
  • The Dispute Service Limited will run an insurance-based scheme directed primarily at letting agents. It will also run the scheme’s ADR service. www.tds.gb.com
  • Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited will run an insurance-based scheme, sponsored by the National Landlords Association and administered by Hamilton Fraser Insurance, which will be directed primarily at landlords. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators will be the principal provider of ADR to the scheme. www.landlords.org.uk or www.mydeposits.co.uk
About NALS

NALS is backed by the Government and leading professional bodies and is the most reliable benchmark for landlords and tenants to compare the standards of service they receive from residential lettings agents. All members of the scheme offer client money protection cover, maintain professional indemnity insurance and operate professional customer complaints procedures. For more information visit www.nalscheme.co.uk

The National Approved Letting Scheme board comprises:

Caroline Pickering (Chair), representatives from RICS, ARLA and NAEA who are Directors of the Scheme, alongside representatives from DCLG, the BPF and the Housing Corporation.

For further press information please contact:
 Isobel Thomson, Operations Director, NALS, on 01242 581712
Contact Kate Groves at Splash Communications
T: 01225 348006 E: kgroves@splashcommunications.com