Choose a SAFE letting agent

SAFEagent Awareness Week runs from May 14 to 20 and is a national campaign to highlight the importance of Client Money Protection Schemes.

The appeal comes as official statistics show that home ownership is in decline and more people are turning to the private rented sector for their homes.

Newman Residential Letting in Leamington is urging all would-be tenants and landlords to look for the SAFEagent logo, an easily identifiable mark to immediately see that their money is protected.

Caroline Newman, director of Newman Residential Letting said: “Many people are not in a position to buy their own homes and will be renting for many years to come.

“It is therefore of the upmost importance to choose a letting agent with whom they know their money is protected.

“As a registered SAFEagent we are proud to be able to offer this assurance, and also prove our commitment to professional business practices.”

Newman Residential Letting has been signed up to SAFEagent since the campaign launched to consumers last September.

John Midgley, chair of SAFEagent steering group, said: “We want every person who is looking to rent or let a property to ‘play it safe’ and be aware that they can protect their money. The message is simple - be safe...choose a SAFEagent when you rent or let. Remember, your money may be at risk if you do not use an agent that is part of a client money protection scheme.”

Approaching 2,000 letting agency offices have now signed up to SAFEagent. In addition to Government support, key organizations in the industry including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Shelter, Crisis, The Property Ombudsman, National Union of Students, OFT, My Deposits and Trading Standards Institute have all allied themselves to the campaign.

Key suppliers to the sector are also standing behind the campaign - for example, HomeLet and CFP Winman have led the way in pledging their backing to it.

For more information on the SAFEagent campaign, please visit www.safeagents.co.uk

If you are looking for a property to rent or have a property to let, contact Newman Residential Letting on 01926 436111.

Pictured: Some of the Newman Residential Lettings team in Leamington.