HomeLet has become the first UK firm to support a scheme aimed at making the lettings industry more regulated.

The SAFEagent campaign helps to protect landlords’ and tenants’ money by allowing them to identify which letting and management agents are covered by client money protection schemes, therefore keeping their business and money safe.

Agents who sign up to the scheme display the SAFEagent logo to show consumers they are fully regulated and that their money is held completely separate from the operating funds of the firm.

SAFEagent has already been recognised by the Government and key industry organisations such as Shelter, NUS, Trading Standards Institute, Council of Mortgage Lenders, Residential Landlords Association and the British Property Federation.

it has reported that over 1,000 agents have subscribed since the launch a month ago.

John Boyle, HomeLet’s managing director, said: “SAFEagent is a mark of integrity and protection for landlords’ and tenants’ money. We believe that having this protection in place should be a pre-requisite for lettings and management agents that are professional operators.