• Why Use a Letting Agent?

01. Save Time

Owning a rental property can mean a lot of time and money spent advertising for suitable tenants, conducting viewings, drawing up the agreement, registering the deposit, arranging an Energy Performance certificate and a Gas Safety certificate and making sure the property is ready for occupation. And that's all before the tenants actually move in!

Once the tenancy has started, there will be times you'll get an urgent telephone call late in the evening or on a weekend and that can mean lost family or work time, or even sleep! Employing a reputable letting agent means landlords can enjoy the benefits of property ownership, with none of the hassle.

02. Lower your costs

When you rent a property, you are still responsible for most of the costs of maintaining it. To ensure your property remains attractive to tenants (and you achieve the best rent) you may also wish to carry out periodic improvement works. A good letting agent has established relationships with honest, reliable tradesmen and contractors. These contacts are at your disposal when you take advantage of a full management service.

03. Maximise Rental Income

Using a reputable letting agent can ensure you achieve the highest rents. A good letting agent will have an excellent knowledge of the local area and market conditions and can make sure that you benefit from fair rent increases throughout the time your property is let.

04. Reduce void periods

Good letting agents have access to many different methods of marketing your property, meaning tenants are attracted faster. Reputable agents do not charge landlords an upfront fee, meaning you can take advantage of this advertising and only pay once a suitable tenant has been found.

05. Get Quality Tenants

The single most important factor in the success of a property rental is the quality of your tenants. Reputable letting agents will obtain the necessary written references to ensure candidates have a good credit record and a history of being good tenants. Agents will also check that tenants are in stable employment and are able to afford the monthly rental.

06. Making sure your property is looked after

A letting agent with a professionally prepared inventory can ensure the tenants agree the condition of your property at the start of the tenancy. Then, with regular inspections and a 'check-out' at the end of the tenancy, the property can be handed back to you in the same condition. If any repairs or redecoration are needed, a letting agent can negotiate the necessary deductions from the tenant’s deposit and arrange for this work to be completed.

07. Your Legal responsibilities

Landlords are affected by a number of laws governing areas such as gas safety, energy performance, health & safety and the handling of deposits. Ignorance of the law is never a defence and some areas of landlord law allow for very heavy fines to be imposed. Using a reputable and accredited agent means you can rest assured that you are meeting your obligations.

We had very difficult tenants (our first let), we were glad we had Phillip James dealing with them rather than us or a less proactive agent. Thank you Mo & Liz, Worthing

08. When things go wrong

Even when extra care has been taken to ensure tenants have been fully referenced, unexpected things can go wrong. A tenant could lose their job and suddenly face difficulties in paying their rent. In such cases, it’s especially important you have a letting agent helping to resolve the situation as soon as possible. A good letting agent will negotiate with the tenants on your behalf and will have experience with legal specialists and the court system.

Choose your letting agent

Location

Choose an agent who specialises in the local area

Internet advertising

Most quality tenants are now found online. Make sure your letting agent advertises with all the major property portals (Rightmove, Propertyfinder, Findaproperty) and has a good web presence themselves.

Accreditation

Look for The Property Ombudsman accreditation

Cost

The cheapest is not always the best. Neither is the most expensive!

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  • A big thank you to you and your team for managing to obtain a new tenant without any break in income. This was very important to me. Thanks for your professionalism in looking after my home and the income from it, upon which I depend. Ben - Worthing

  • Both in customer service and in general efficiency I cannot find fault with either. More than happy with the service and would be happy to recommend...I have friends who would use you in the Horsham area if you open an office there! Paul - Brighton

  • I was treated very well, nothing was too much trouble and when I was told something would happen it did. What impressed me was the speed with which questions were answered; in a previous life this often took weeks! Mike - Worthing

  • I've only used one other letting agent before, but have interviewed several others. Phillip James were the only ones who I believed would deliver on their promises, and I have been very pleased. Long may it continue. Sonja - Hove

  • A professional, knowledgeable and reliable service Sheila - Brighton

  • We had very difficult tenants (our first let) we were glad we had Phillip James dealing with them rather than us or a less proactive agent. Thank you. Mo & Liz - Worthing

  • Always pleasant; always polite; always efficient; always interested. What more can one ask. Extremely happy with the service, the people and the tenants. What more can I say? Anthony - Brighton

About

Looking for the best letting agent in Worthing?
Then Phillip James Letting Agents is for you! We're one of the largest independent letting agents in the area and are dedicated to providing landlords and tenants with an excellent service. We offer fully-managed, rent-collection and tenant-find services at a competitive price.

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