Month: November 2020

Can you be sure your estate or lettings agent is trustworthy?

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How an NAEA Propertymark agent will Protect You

Selecting an agent is fundamental to your ongoing sales or letting experience, the costs involved and how effective communications will be. With advice from conflicting sources, consumers are often confused about who to trust and cannot be sure they are dealing with a professional agent.

Propertymark promotes higher standards than the law demands and we campaign for more laws and enforcement to regulate the sector. We hold our members accountable in order to protect you, the consumer and your money. Estate agents, letting agents and auctioneers and valuers who display our logo actively ensure maximum protection for their clients; so you know that they are principled, professional and Propertymark protected.

Search for expert property professionals who have opted for regulation in an unregulated sector and are therefore ideal partners to work with you, whatever your property search.

Find an Expert

Make sure you are Propertymark Protected

Use the links below to find out why you should use a Propertymark Protected expert.

Vendors | Buyers

Using a NAEA Propertymark estate agent guarantees that you’re consulting with a professional agent who can give you up-to-date advice and guidance. More info…

Landlords | Tenants

Whether you have a property to rent out or are searching for a home, you need an agent that you can trust and rely on when issues arise. More info…

Auction Buyers

Using a NAVA Propertymark valuer or auctioneer provides reassurance as they belong to a professional body which expects the highest standards of service. More info…

Propertymark promotes higher standards than the law demands however if things do go wrong you will be protected. Propertymark Protected experts work to the highest standards in accordance with our Conduct and Membership Rules. All our members must have an internal complaints process and if you do need to complain there is a clear process to follow. More info…

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All Propertymark Protected agents must have a complaints procedure. Make sure that you allow the company to address your concerns before taking the matter further.

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All agents must belong to an independent redress scheme, check which scheme they belong to and report your issues for investigation.

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Propertymark will investigate a member’s conduct and those found to be in breach of our Conduct and Membership Rules may be subject to financial penalty or expulsion.

Protecting your money through Client Money Protection

Our Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme provides compensation to you if you are a landlord, tenant or other agency client and your Propertymark Protected agent has misappropriated your rent, deposit or other client money. CMP is key to Propertymark Protection.

Propertymark will reimburse landlords and tenants who are out of pocket up to £15 million per year if their agent is within Propertymark’s Main Scheme or £35 million per year if their agent is within Propertymark’s Large Corporate Scheme with a maximum award of £50,000 per individual claim. Unfortunately, we cannot make payments for any loss arising from war (whether foreign or civil), terrorism, rebellion, revolution, military uprising or any form of confiscation by the state.

More info

Do’s and Don’ts for moving house with pets.

Moving house with pets can be stressful – for both you and them. Cats and dogs in particular become very attached to their own territory and a house move can be very disruptive and disorientating. That’s why we have put together a list of do’s and don’ts to help your pets feel at home as quickly as you do.

DO try and get a friend or relative to look after your pet on moving day so that they are out of the way. This can be a benefit to both you and your pet; it gives you the space and time you need to move without worrying and your pet will be away from any loud noises and stressful situations.

DO keep your pet contained in one room of the house. If you would prefer to keep your pets with you during the move, set aside a quiet room in your old house and keep the doors shut to reduce the amount of noise. To keep your pet calm, make sure they have their usual bedding, toys, food and water.

DO leave packing your pet’s things until the very end. The presence of familiar toys and blankets will comfort your pet. Do not wash their bedding until a couple of weeks after the move so that there is something familiar-smelling in the new house.

DO make sure your pet’s ID tag or microchip details are up to date and include details of your new home address. In the instance your pet decides to take a walk around your new neighbourhood, it is important that they can be identified, should they get lost.

DO give them plenty of reassurance and attention, both during and immediately after the move.

DON’T feed them just before putting them into the car as they are more likely to get car sick. Like humans, pets can also suffer from travel sickness, so if you’re likely to be in a car for a long time,

DON’T let your pet loose in your new garden without checking it is secure first. Make sure to check all perimeter fencing and walls, looking out for gaps or broken panelling. When you do let your pets out to explore your new garden, go outside with them until they’re more confident in their new surroundings.

DON’T assume your pet will immediately adjust to your new home. Pets are creatures of comfort and sometimes they can take a little while to settle; allow them time to relax and become familiar with their new surroundings. Try not to leave your pet on their own for too long until they are fully settled as this can cause anxiety.

DON’T scold them if they chew things or aren’t house trained within the first few days. Change takes time to adjust to and dogs in particular can become very anxious and stressed from moving. Monitor your pet’s behaviour and make sure they are in an area with limited furniture to begin with.

DON’T avert from your usual walking and feeding routine if you can help it. Sticking to your pet’s daily routine before moving and then continuing it once you have moved will make the transition a lot more manageable and will make your pets feel more at ease.

For more advice on reducing stress, you can always speak with your vet and they should be able to advise on how best to keep your pet safe and calm.

New Presidential team announced ready to champion members’ needs

Following a rigorous process, NAEA Propertymark is pleased to appoint Liana Loporto as President Elect and Stephen McCarron as Vice President. Two passionate estate agents who have a wealth of experience to share with the organisation, will join Kirsty Finney, NAEA Propertymark President, to form the new Presidential team.

The Presidential team is vital, as they act as a conduit to NAEA Propertymark’s membership, reaching out to members and championing their views to the Propertymark Board, helping shape the organisation so that it effectively prioritises their needs and truly represents them when working with local, regional and national Governments.

Both Liana and Stephen echo Kirsty Finney’s passion for education and will be looking to promote the benefits of gaining an industry qualification in preparation for RoPA. They are also big advocates for raising the professional profile of estate agents so that it’s seen in the same light as accountants and solicitors, a big part of this is getting qualified and promoting the benefits of education to our membership.

Liana has over 22 years’ experience in the property industry working in both large corporate and boutique agencies. Having started her career at the largest real estate company in her native Malta, Liana then re-located to the UK, in what was supposed to be a sabbatical. Her experience in “the most vibrant property market in the world” with one of the leading corporate agencies in London meant she never left.

When I first moved to the UK it quickly became evident that being an estate agent was not as well regarded as other career paths in the UK. This realisation came as a huge surprise to me as it’s a different story in Malta, where it is seen as a highly regarded profession.

My journey of trying to raise that professional profile started with NAEA Propertymark, which then led to a growing hunger to become qualified. I am obsessed with changing the face of the industry to allow all the great agents I’ve met across the country shine, which is one of the reasons why I am a huge believer in RoPA. I am absolutely elated to be President Elect for NAEA Propertymark because I am now able to make a difference and contribute to this process.

Liana Loporto

NAEA Propertymark President Elect

Stephen has worked within the property market in Northern Ireland for thirty years, starting out with Nationwide Estate Agents and working his way up the ranks to eventually open his own agency Donnybrook Estate Agents in 1997. Stephen has been an active NAEA Propertymark member for nearly thirty years, which has led him to be a Regional Executive for Northern Ireland before becoming Vice President.

Throughout my career, I have continually updated my knowledgebase through education. I firmly believe that every day is a school day, and I am a keen advocate of continual education and the good it does for our industry. I will be looking to promote further education with our members to help them prepare for incoming regulation.

Being recognised by my peers to become Vice President is both an honour and a privilege. I have been an NAEA Propertymark member for nearly thirty years and over that time I have watched with great interest the must needed change in our industry shaped to a large degree by previous Boards and Regional Executives. I am now becoming part of that history and look forward to playing my role in further advancing the aims and objectives of our members and Propertymark as a whole.

Stephen McCarron

NAEA Propertymark Vice President

It’s fantastic to welcome Liana and Stephen to the NAEA Propertymark Presidential team. They are experienced property experts working in different markets across the UK, their input on behalf of members is crucial in directing Propertymark’s focus. I look forward to working with them to ensure that we understand members’ needs and address the issues they face.