Codes of Practice

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. ARLA members are governed by the Code of Practice providing a strict framework of ethical and professional standards.

All estate agents are required to register with an Estate Agents Redress Scheme that has been approved by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and which investigates complaints against estate agents. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is one of the schemes approved by the OFT.

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Scheme provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between member agents and tenants and landlords of property in the UK. The TPO is a member of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association and follows the standards and rules of the association. The Ombudsman is totally independent of the TPO Scheme member agents and reports directly to the TPO Council, which has a majority of non-industry members.