letting agent not a member of ARLA

[MICHAELA8668]

Would you use a letting agent who was not registered with ARLA. They are well established in the area and we would only be using them to find a tenant. Another agent (predictably) said they are not registered because they know they wouldn't meet the "strict criteria to be a member". Any thoughts?

[Mortitia]

To be an ARLA member you have to pay fees, put your staff on thier expensive courses, take out their insurance etc etc. Just thes 3 things would be enough to put me off if I were an agent.

In the past I have had a 'run in ' with ARLA over a particular large London letting agent who was not acting fairly in my opinion. I don't rate them as they are slaves to the big boys who use their name on thier stationery. If your local agent and non ARLA member has been around a while and has a good following I would use them. Since it is only for tenant finding you can't really go wrong - suggest you meet tenants yourself to get used to making a good judgement and make sure you see the results of the credit checks.

Mortitia

[MICHAELA8668]

To be an ARLA member you have to pay fees, put your staff on thier expensive courses, take out their insurance etc etc. Just thes 3 things would be enough to put me off if I were an agent.

In the past I have had a 'run in ' with ARLA over a particular large London letting agent who was not acting fairly in my opinion. I don't rate them as they are slaves to the big boys who use their name on thier stationery. If your local agent and non ARLA member has been around a while and has a good following I would use them. Since it is only for tenant finding you can't really go wrong - suggest you meet tenants yourself to get used to making a good judgement and make sure you see the results of the credit checks.

Mortitia

Thanks thats very helpful.