Why use a letting agent?

Save time
Lower your costs
Maximise rental income
Reduce void periods
Get quality tenants

Looking after your property
Meeting your legal responsibilities
When things go wrong
How to choose the right letting agent

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.

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 tradesman and contractors. These contacts are at your disposal when you take advantage of a full management service.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Meeting 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.
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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.

How to choose the right 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 ARLA, NALS and The Property Ombudsman accreditations
Staff – look for agencies with staff with ARLA qualifications
Cost – the cheapest is not always the best. Neither is the most expensive!

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