Residential News

SAFEagent recognised in Government’s Housing Strategy for England

24 Nov 2011

The government has displayed its continued support for SAFEagent by referring to the mark in its new Housing Strategy for England.

In the chapter ‘A thriving private rented sector’*, SAFEagent was cited as a key way of promoting consumer awareness of client money protection and identifying agents with that protection.  The mark also ‘shows how much can be achieved quickly and cheaply through simple effective ideas driven by industry not the Government’. 

The Government has supported SAFEagent since its launch in early September and has advocated its ‘by the industry, for the industry’ approach.  Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP has encouraged lettings and management agents to sign up to the kitemark.

John Midgley, Managing Director of Touchstone  Residential and Chair of the SAFEagent Steering Group says: “This is a fantastic endorsement of SAFEagent and we welcome Grant Shapps’ early and continued support.  We’re delighted that the Government recognises that the industry can generate and implement proactive, innovative ideas which are in the interest of the consumer rather than relying on imposed regulations which would lead to further red tape and cost.

“SAFEagent is a simple and sensible approach to raising consumer awareness of Client Money Protection and it’s one that is working.  To date, there have been over 1,600 sign ups to SAFEagent. We would invite any letting agents who haven’t signed up yet to do so and really make a difference to the sector.”

In addition to Government support, key organizations in the industry Shelter, NUS, Trading Standards Institute, Council of Mortgage Lenders, Residential Landlords Association, The Property Ombudsman Scheme and the British Property Federation have all allied themselves to SAFEagent.  Key suppliers to the sector are also supportive of SAFEagent, HomeLet and GMG have led the way in pledging their backing to the campaign.

Touchstone is a founder member of SAFEagent and proud to be at the forefront of providing protection for the consumer in the sector.

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