Code of Practice and Professional Accreditation's
Investors in People
Investors in People (IIP) is all about business improvement. CPS Homes were delighted to be recognised by Investors in People in September 2009. This recognition gives our clients and staff peace of mind that they are dealing with a forwarding thinking business that treats their staff with fairness and respect. For our clients it highlights the extensive training that takes places to ensure that our staff are knowledgeable.
The Property Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is a free and independent service for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants which can make awards of compensation where appropriate. CPS Homes are members of both the lettings and sales schemes and have voluntarily agreed to adhere to a strict code of practice. Membership of these schemes shows that CPS Homes are confident that the decisions we make are fair for all parties involved, and furthermore gives our landlords and tenants the confidence that there is another party involved if a dispute were ever to take place.
The Office of Fair Trading
The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 enables the Secretary of State to require those engaging in estate agency work in relation to residential property to be members of an OFT approved estate agents redress scheme. CPS Homes through our membership of the TPO meet this requirement and therefore operate to an OFT approved code of practice.
The Deposit Protection Service
CPS Homes protect all deposits of managed properties with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) as required by the 2004 Housing Act. Where we act in a tenant finding capacity only we ensure that our clients are members of insurance based deposit protection scheme or we transfer the deposit directly into their DPS account. This ensures compliance and protects our landlords from a potential claim. By protecting our deposits with the DPS, any disputes about their return get referred to their Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service, which allows a fair decision to be made by an independent party.
Landlord Association Wales
Landlord Association Wales (LAW) is linked to Cardiff County Council. LAW requires that over two-thirds of our staff involved in lettings attend a training course in residential property management and lettings. This course is also available to landlords who may find it cost effective if they own a licensable HMO, which means we are able to advise our clients on the course content. This accreditation shows that we have well trained, knowledgeable staff as well as the protection that our other affiliations offer.
Association of Residential Letting Agents
ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents, is the only professional self-regulating body to be solely concerned with lettings. CPS Homes have recently been awarded membership which means we adhere to a very strict code of practice. ARLA membership requires that our accounts be audited, and that we have insurance policies such as Client Money Protection (CMP) Insurance and Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance in place. ARLA also require that the directors of the company hold qualifications specific to residential property lettings and management, and also have the power to issue sanctions where their rules and regulations are not adhered to. ARLA is probably the best known affiliation for property lettings and management, and CPS Homes are proud to voluntarily become affiliated.
Association of Letting & Management Agents
Covering the whole of South Wales, the ALMA Forum is a self-regulating organisation which enjoys the support of Cardiff County Council and encourages best practice in the lettings' industry.
ALMA members must satisfy strict conditions in order to join and remain in membership of the Association, including the requirement of Professional Indemnity Insurance and retaining accurate records in respect of clients' monies held.
The ALMA forum provides a platform for member agents to meet and discuss local letting issues, receive professional learning and development opportunities and form a relationship with external bodies such as Cardiff Council and Cardiff University. ALMA are often consulted on certain letting matters and asked to provide our opinions and feedback.
CPS Homes are proud to be voluntary members of ALMA.