Awards and Affiliations

Much has changed in the last 30 years, but our values and approach have not.

We're driven by doing what's best for our customers, proud champions of the communities we represent, and passionate about the lifestyle a new home can bring.

Sowerbys is a team driven by offering the very best service, proven through the awards we’ve won and affiliations and accreditations we hold.

Awards

International Property Awards

Innovative marketing, unparalleled customer experience and an exceptional website helped us secure three top prizes in the International Property Awards.

We were proud to triumph at the regional leg of the 2022-23 awards, winning the Real Estate Agency Marketing award, Real Estate Agency Office award and Real Estate Agency Website award.

An independent panel of more than 80 industry experts judged entries, focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

In its 29th year, the awards cover more than 50 different residential and commercial categories with regional heats staged for Arabia, Europe, Africa, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, USA, UK and Asia Pacific.

Trusted Service by Feefo

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded only to businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine reviews and insights.

Businesses meeting the high standard, based on the number of reviews they have collected and their average rating, receive the award. A highly valued badge of approval, this accreditation remains unique, as it is based purely on the interactions with real customers.

As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of a business’s commitment to outstanding service.

We're proud to have been awarded the Platinum rating consistently for the last four years.

This award is incredibly important to us as it is not only based on the feedback of real customers, but it also recognises how hard we work to give our customers the best possible experience.

Click here to see our full Feefo reviews.

The Property Ombudsman

By dealing with a Member of the TPO, the public can be confident about the agent's approach in its dealings with actual and potential buyers and sellers of residential property or lettings in the UK. With effect from 1 October 2008, 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 TPO is one of the schemes approved by the OFT.

Sowerbys have in addition agreed to follow the TPO Code of Practice for Residential Estate Agents. Estate agents signing up to this Code of Practice are required to provide additional consumer protection that goes beyond that required by the law. They can be recognised by the blue TPO logo. Registered agents, who do not voluntarily accept the Code of Practice obligations of the TPO Scheme, are not entitled to show the blue TPO logo. Click here to view our in-house complaints procedure.

Lettings and property management agents who join the TPO also subscribe to the Code of Practice for Letting Agents.

The Property Ombudsman provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between sales and letting agents who have joined the TPO and consumers who are actual or potential buyers or sellers or landlords or tenants of residential property in the UK. The Ombudsman is a member of the Ombudsman Association and follows the standards and rules of the Association. The Ombudsman is totally independent of agents and reports directly to the TPO Council which has a majority of non-industry members. Click here to view our Client Money Protection certificate and here for our main scheme certificate.

The National Association of Estate Agents

Being members of the NAEA is again another confirmation to our clients that we are serious about providing them with a service that is second to none. There is NO mandatory regulation of estate agents, however Sowerbys choose to be members of the NAEA. This demonstrates our transparency and ensures we are at the forefront of developments in the industry, all making sure we provide the very best moving experience to our consumers.

By using a NAEA estate agent consumers are guaranteed to be consulting with a professional agent who can give them up-to-date advice and guidance.

What Makes NAEA Estate Agents Different?

Integrity - NAEA estate agents are experienced and trained professionals who abide by a nationally recognised Code of Practice.
Complaints Procedure - Ruling on complaints through independent ombudsman services and NFoPP Regulation.
Peace of Mind - Sowerbys hold all the correct insurance and protection to give you peace of mind through your move.
Compliant - Registered with HMRC to ensure compliance with money laundering regulations.
Conduct and Membership Rules - All NAEA estate agents agree to comply with the professional standards outlined within the NFoPP Conduct and Membership Rules, demonstrating our dedication and commitment to higher standards within residential sales.

Click here to visit their website.

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents

ARLA is the UK's foremost professional body for letting agents. Members are professionals working at all levels of letting agency, from business owners to office employees.

Every year tenants and landlords lose thousands of pounds and suffer distress through dealing with agents who are inexperienced and do not deal with client money in a professional manner. ARLA Licensed letting agents hold client money in a designated client account and accounts are independently inspected annually.

What Makes ARLA Licensed Members Different?

Experienced and trained professionals
Understand and comply with complex legislative changes and best practice
Accounts are independently inspected annually and accountants’ reports submitted to ARLA
ARLA agents have professional indemnity insurance
Attend regular training to keep skills and experience up-to-date
Comply with the professional standards of the nationally recognised professional body for letting agents

Conduct and Membership Rules

All ARLA letting agents agree to comply with the professional standards outlined within the NFoPP Conduct and Membership Rules, demonstrating their dedication and commitment to higher standards within residential lettings.

Click here to visit their website.

Trading Standards

The Property Ombudsman is approved by the Trading Standard Institute.

An ombudsman is a person/institute who investigates complaints about organisations for free. They may be able to help you resolve a complaint without going to court and there are different ombudsmen for different industries - such as the TPO for property.

Trading standards protect consumer rights when you buy goods or services.

What you can get help if you’re treated unfairly - or when things go wrong.