Australian property managers and insurers urged to use only registered carpet cleaners
The Building Service Contractors Association of Australia is heavily promoting an organisation similar to our own National Carpet Cleaners Association, with a view to regulating the industry in a way that would help preserve the good reputation of the professionals within it - and, by encouraging specifiers and consumers only to employ the services of registered members, reduce the problems created when cowboy contractors attempt to do the work.
In a move to get the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia and the Insurance Council on board, BSCAA's Ian Westoby warned:
"As you would be well aware your Members can be exposed to very costly claims, some running into $100,000's following services provided by inappropriate carpet cleaners. Where the work done was 'questionable' allegedly caused health problems resulting in clients having to be rehoused and claims for sickness caused by the service authorised by the Property Manager etc....
"To limit this liability exposure for Real Estate Rental Managers and their property owners we have introduced a Formal Registration of Carpet Cleaners.
"Very simply it aims to eliminate uninsured, untrained 'Carpet Cleaning Cowboys' from the industry and dramatically reduced the 'liability exposure' for those using their services."
The criteria for registration are simple; encouraging all good contractors to get involved:
* Certificate II in Asset Maintenance - Carpet Cleaning - PRM20604 - A nationally accredited qualification
* Police Certificate no more than 12 months old
* Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of $5 million with very few exclusions
A personally signed letter, by the Carpet Cleaner indicating the applicant has read, understands and accepts the Cleaning Industry Code of Conduct Australian property managers and insurers urged to use only registered carpet cleaners
The BSCAA is asking REIWA and the Insurance Council to support this initiative, by advising all its members to authorise work to be done by only 'Formally Registration of Carpet Cleaners'.
6th September 2007