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THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (RICS)

Founded in 1868 The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is an independent, representative professional body which regulates construction and property professionals in the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. RICS provides education and training standards, protects consumers with strict codes of practice and advises governments and business. RICS provides expertise in matters involving fixed assets, including but not limited to land and property.

THE ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTIAL LETTING AGENTS (ARLA)

The Association of Residential Letting Agents is a professional body for individuals working in residential property lettings and management in the United Kingdom. ARLA was formed in 1981 and grew as the private rented sector grew over the past 10 years. It is a professional and regulatory body solely concerned with residential letting agents in the UK and is a part of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP). Membership is achieved only by agents who demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of their profession and that they conduct their business according to current best management practice.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ESTATE AGENTS (NAEA)

The National Association of Estate Agents is a membership organisation for estate agents. It is based in and covers the UK. Founded in 1962, it is the UK’s leading professional body for estate agents. Its members practice across all aspects of property both in the UK and overseas, including residential and commercial sales and letting, property management, business transfer, auctioneering and land. The NAEA has a licensing scheme that offers consumer protection.

THE PROPERTY OMBUDSMAN (TPO)

The Property Ombudsman is a UK government approved organisation which aims to provide better consumer protection for home buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, by providing independent conflict resolution and raising standards of service in the residential property industry. The TPO, founded in 1990, runs a voluntary scheme approved by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), and requires estate agents who register with it to uphold a certain code of practice which includes additional protection for the consumer beyond that required by law. The Property Ombudsman provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between agents and consumers for residential property in the UK.