Membership Information

 

THE NATIONAL APPROVED LETTING SCHEME
Providing peace of mind for landlords and tenants

 

Do you want to demonstrate to consumers that your firm cares about the levels of customer service that you offer?

Do you want to gain recognition by being registered with an industry wide accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents?

If the answer to both of those questions is yes then read on:

 		 
 

What is NALS?

 
NALS is an accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents offering peace of mind to landlords and tenants in knowing that they are dealing with a firm which agrees to meet defined standards of customer service, together with having in place the necessary insurance to protect clients' money plus a complaints procedure offering independent redress.

 		 
 

Who supports NALS?

Government

 
  The Scheme is backed by the Government who said:

"NALS is an important initiative for raising standards of lettings agents in the private rented sector. Opening up the Scheme so that all good letting agents can join is a welcome step. We are supporting this with government funding because the only effective way to isolate disreputable firms that tarnish the reputation of letting agents is to support those who are committed to providing a quality service to their customers".

Professional Bodies in the private rented sector - ARLA, NAEA and RICS

The Scheme is also supported by the professional bodies in the lettings sector ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents), NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) and RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) who saw the benefit to the sector in having a single kitemark for consumers to look for in seeking the assurance of customer service

Lettings and Management Firms throughout the UK

The Scheme has approaching 1,400 member offices throughout the UK who recognise the benefit of promoting themselves in their local marketplace as part of an industrywide accreditation scheme.

Not only the larger firms such as Andrews, Chancellors and Winkworth have seen the benefit of gaining accreditation but numerous single office firms around the country. All member offices are included on our Find an Agent section on the site.

British Property Federation

The British Property Federation also back the Scheme.

The Housing Corporation

The Housing Corporation who regulate housing associations in England also support the Scheme. Registered Social Landlords are also eligible for membership.

 
 

Who can join NALS?

  
  The Scheme is open to any firm in the lettings and management sector who meets our strict criteria for membership.

NALS accredited firms all commit to:

  • Offer defined standards of customer service to consumers which meets the NALS accreditation criteria

  • Hold Professional Indemnity Insurance

  • Hold Client Money Protection Insurance cover

  • Provide a written Customer Complaints Handling Procedure to consumers on request

  • Meet defined accounting standards in dealing with Client Money and hold clients' money in a bank account separate to that of the firm's funds

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    Why should you join NALS?

    		  
     
    NALS is a significant step forward in actively promoting the best practice for letting and managing agents within the private rented sector. Landlords, tenants, insurers, investors, lenders and local authorities will all welcome these standards. NALS is a self-regulatory scheme that will particularly give additional confidence and peace of mind to landlords and tenants who are being served by a NALS agent.

    		  
     

    What is the cost of membership?

    		 
     
    The annual subscription is £100 + VAT for the first office of a firm and £50 + VAT each for any other additional offices. There is a one-off administration charge of £150 + VAT payable on submitting an application.
    		 
     

    How can my firm gain accreditation?

    		  
     


    The National Approved Letting Scheme is an accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents offering peace of mind to landlords and tenants in knowing that they are dealing with a firm which agrees to meet defined standards of customer service, together with having in place the necessary insurances to protect clients' money plus a customer complaints procedure offering independent redress.

    To download the NALS membership application documentation click here. To request an application form is sent to you from NALS click here and complete your contact details We will then send you a membership pack containing the application form to join NALS, and any further information you require.