New scheme launched to aid tenant disputes

29 2008
Tenants across the UK are set to benefit from a new initiative which will make access to independent help to resolve disputes with landlords or letting agencies easier.

Under the new partnership between the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) and the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS), both tenants and landlords will benefit from independent redress at no cost.

The new scheme is aimed at resolving disputes as quickly and painlessly as possible, though where this is not the case, the OEA will carry out a full investigation into the issue raised.

Commenting on the new initiative, NALS chair Caroline Pickering said: "It is our on-going aim to raise standards, add value and endorse best practice in the private lettings sector.

"It makes total sense that adjudication should be open to both tenant and landlord in the unfortunate event that an intractable problem arises with a letting agent and here we have a solution that is cost-effective and straightforward for all parties - by recognising that early agreement is beneficial on all sides," she added.

According to both groups, the number of disputes is likely to increase over the coming months as the number of people renting a property grows significantly. ADNFCR-1219-ID-18445025-ADNFCR

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