What Is The Master Locksmiths Association?
The one thing you want when it comes to your security is someone you know you can instantly trust. That’s what the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) provides.
Their logo is a mark of quality and integrity. This non-profit body was founded in 1958 and is now over 1,400 members strong. But what is the Master Locksmiths Association exactly? This month, we’ll outline what you can expect when you see their yellow cross-key logo.
Don’t forget, we’re an approved Master Locksmiths Association company and can help with lock replacement, uPVC window and door locks as well as vehicle locks.
Trusted Locksmiths
An MLA locksmith is a trusted locksmith.
Your home or business security and your personal safety are important, which is why all MLA locksmiths are vetted with criminal record checks (DBS). This is a core requirement of membership and means your locksmith will have been checked for convictions.
The MLA specifically fought for a change in the law to be able to carry out these checks, making sure you can find a trusted locksmith near you without hassle or worry.
Quality Assurance
The quality of the work carried out by any MLA member is also closely scrutinised. This ensures that legal requirements are met and that the standard of workmanship is in line with the expectations of the MLA.
An MLA member will be evaluated on the following:
- Compliance with best practices and industry regulations
- Staff training and qualification levels
- Tools, equipment and their proper use
- Customer service and communication levels
- The finished results from their work
It’s this consistent and detailed inspection criteria that ensures you receive quality workmanship.
Consumer Protection
It’s you, the consumer who is at the heart of what the Master Locksmiths Association does. In the absence of any government-led licensing for the industry, the MLA provides peace of mind, not only through vetting and inspecting members, but by providing a complaints procedure too.
Standards within the MLA are high, but if you believe you have been overcharged or received inadequate work, you can contact the association for the complaint to be investigated. With non-MLA members, there is very little anyone can do if anything goes wrong.
Professional Advice
With constant training and industry updates as an MLA member, your locally approved locksmith should be able to provide the best possible advice and guidance when it comes to the security of your property.
Whether you know exactly what you need and just want a second opinion or you feel like you need a full explanation of your different options, it’s all part of the service for MLA members.
Again, without a government-based scheme in place, anyone is free to advertise themselves as a locksmith. But only a Master Locksmiths Association member can be trusted for honesty and quality in the advice they provide.
Safeguarding Your Property
The MLA is also recognised by various bodies such as:
- The MET and other police forces
- Secured By Design
- The Home Office
- British Standards Institute (BSI)
This helps give homeowners and businesses peace of mind over the security of their property as it means avoiding rogue traders and unprofessional locksmiths.
Put your property in the hands of a Master Locksmiths Association member with our team here at Lock & Key Centre. We’re your local, trusted locksmith experts in Buckinghamshire – including Aylesbury and Milton Keyes.
Please note, during our current transition period we are not MLA-approved for our Watford branch.
Get in touch with us today to book an appointment and get a rapid response if you’ve found yourself locked out of your property.