Rental inspections ramp up

Taking part in the BVRLA Governance programme is a mandatory requirement of membership and helps to provide customers with the reassurance that they are renting from a company that delivers the highest professional standards and adheres to an industry Code of Conduct.

Prestige Fleet Servicing from The AA has been carrying out rental inspections on behalf of the BVRLA in line with Covid safe guidelines as the sector has continued to be exempt from business closure during the national lockdown period.

During 2020, eleven new areas have been added to the rental inspection which are all now being assessed as part of the audit, so members are advised that inspections may take a little longer than usual. Many of the new areas being assessed relate to health and safety matters: 1. Covid-19 measures 2. Appearance and cleanliness of premises and vehicles 3. First Aid 4. Access and parking for disabled customers 5. ‘No Smoking’ awareness 6. PAT checks 7. Reporting of suspicious behaviour 8. Child seat processes and maintenance 9. ICO – Data Protection 10. Fuel bunkering procedures and calibration 11. Management and process for hazardous waste

Did you know?

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Information about Preparing for your governance programme audit can be found on the BVRLA website.

The BVRLA Compliance team is on hand to support members and can be contacted at compliance@bvrla.co.uk.

Ask Adam

Send your questions about the BVRLA inspection programme to Senior Compliance Officer Adam Holt at adam@bvrla.co.uk.

Q: Now that I am signed up to the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme, do I need to do anything further to be compliant?

A: Although all BVRLA rental members are signed up to the RVSS as a mandatory part of membership, members are required to send details of their named ‘security contact’, and ideally a deputy, to the BVRLA. Members should also conduct a risk assessment and implement a security plan. Further information can be found on the BVRLA website.

Q: Is Financial Crime training a mandatory BVRLA requirement?

A: Employees should be trained to recognise financial crime and should understand how to help prevent it. Firms should have a documented Financial Crime policy/procedure to evidence their efforts in doing so. The BVRLA e-Learning Platform added a new

Financial Crime Training module this year to its ‘Essentials Package’ to support members with ensuring that staff are adequately trained in this area. The system also provides evidence of training received, which can help to satisfy FCA requirements.

Q: Is the SM&CR delayed until 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19?

A: HM Treasury has agreed to delay the deadline for solo-regulated firms to have undertaken the first assessment of the fitness and propriety of their Certified Persons from 9 December 2020 until 31 March 2021 to give firms affected by the Covid-19 pandemic time to make the changes they need.

The Financial Conduct Authority extended the deadline for the following requirements with all other deadlines remaining unchanged: • the date the Conduct Rules come into force • the deadline for submission of information about Directory

Persons to the Register • references in FCA rules to the deadline for assessing

Certified Persons as fit and proper (which has been agreed by the Treasury) u