NALS

NALS, the Government backed National Approved Letting Scheme, gives accreditation to letting and management agents that agree to meet defined standards of customer service, have insurance cover to protect clients' money, and a complaints procedure offering independent redress.

Membership is voluntary and letting agents signify membership by displaying the NALS. The scheme currently has approaching 1,000 member offices throughout the UK.

NALS is 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).

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; and
• 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.

NALS says that when renting from a member firm tenants can be sure the property will have undergone all required safety checks on furnishings and gas and electrical services. Tenant’s rights and responsibilities will be clearly explained and tenants will have informed and professional responses to any queries before or during their tenancies.