There are a number of a associations that are their to ensure that you, the buyer or lender or a property get a fair and honest deal. Because of the large amounts of money involved in buying, renting and selling a property, without certain associations to govern the rules and codes of the property people could find themselves stuck with a house they didn’t pay for, or overpaid for, among many other possible problems.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is the UK’s leading professional body for estate agency personnel, representing the interests of over 10,000 members who practice across all aspects of property services both in the UK and overseas. These include residential and commercial sales and lettings, property management, business transfer and auctioneering.

For safety and guaranteed practise purposes, the first principle when searching for an agent is to check that they belong to a professional body like the NAEA. This is because all members have to complete a minimum entry qualification and are bound by rules of conduct to offer you a fair deal, without overvaluing your home. They also provide access to a complaints procedure and a solid understanding of the market.

The association is dedicated to the goal of professionalism within high street estate agencies. Its aim is to reassure the general public that by appointing an NAEA member to represent them they will receive in return the highest level of integrity and service in both sales and lettings. Each NAEA member is bound by a vigorously enforced Code of Practice and adheres to professional Rules of Conduct. Failure to do so can result in heavy financial penalties and possible expulsion from the Association.

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. It was recognised that the requirements of the residential lettings market were so detailed and specific that a separate organisation was required to promote standards in this important and growing sector of the property market.

ARLA has 1,800 member offices throughout the UK including large multi-branch national companies as well as the smaller single office practices. Membership is achieved only by agents who demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of their profession and that they conduct their business according to current best management practice.

All members are required to have professional indemnity insurance cover. In addition they are covered by a bonding scheme which provides financial protection for client monies which have been misappropriated.

ARLA members are governed by a Code of Practice providing a framework of ethical and professional standards at a level far higher than the law demands. The Association runs a series of meetings, training courses and seminars at local and national levels to ensure that members are kept fully up to date with the latest best practice. Examinations are held regularly and membership rules require all member offices to have professionally qualified staff by the year 2000. Members’ accounts are required to be audited annually ensuring that they conform to stringent accounting practice.