How to Choose the Best Letting Agent for Your Property

Letting agents often play a major role in finding the right tenants. Apart from letting services, they may also undertake property management.

While most property owners may prefer to appoint letting agents for managing their properties, some may also choose to undertake the task on their own. Letting agents may be of the following three kinds:

• Independent letting companies that operate in specific local areas.

• Letting companies which form a part of a larger chain and operate in diverse areas.

• Letting agents owned by estate agencies.

Aspects to consider while choosing letting agents

While choosing letting agents for your property, it is advisable to consider the following factors:

The impression of the firm

Property owners may gather information about a number of letting agents before choosing an appropriate one. It is advisable to check the advertising strategy, marketing literature, website and office of the agent. All these factors can provide an insight into the operations of the agent.

Recommendations

It is advisable to seek recommendations from people who may have employed letting agents for their properties. Personal recommendations can help you shortlist a few agents based on which a final decision may be made.

Experience

While selecting letting agents, it is important to consider the experience they have. It is advisable to select agents who have sufficient experience in dealing with properties that are similar to the ones owned by you. This can improve your chances of finding appropriate tenants. Many letting agents in Kent specialize in providing letting services for various types of property. You can choose a suitable agent that provides Kent property management services.

Professional association

Letting agents who possess membership of professional associations may be preferred. These agents adhere to the code of practice stated by the professional associations and are well aware about the various rules and regulations.

Services offered

Letting agents may offer various kinds of services. While some may only find tenants, others may offer to deal with others aspects like rent collection, preparation of rent agreement and running credit checks on tenants. Property owners may choose an agent according to their requirements.

Fees

Letting agents usually charge fees, which is some percentage of the rent you pay. It is advisable to look out for additional fees and tenant fees charged by the agents. These kinds of fees may put additional financial burden on the tenant and property owner.

Planning To Let Out Your Home? Know All About Landlords, Estate Agents & Lettings Agencies

Landlords and letting agents: Landlord is the actual owner of properties. They are ultimate receivers of the rent you pay and there are some rules that one needs to check if they are abiding by -

• they should give you a (mostly written) contract

• the property must have gone through and passed all gas and fire checks and should be in a good condition in general

• get all the repairs done if need be

• cannot ask you to vacate the property without prior notice (at least one month before)

There are other rules also which one can very easily find on the internet. There should be clarity and understanding between the tenant and the landlord if the renting is being done on a ‘fixed term’ basis or a ‘periodic’ one.

Sometimes landlords use letting agents to help them manage, advertise and rent properties owned by them. They also help in setting up contracts between the landlord and the tenant. LAs run privately, taking care of the properties of several landlords at one go. If one wants to consult agents to show them various properties, they need to get themselves registered for free.

• Is one option better than the other?

As far as money is concerned, renting directly from the landlord turns out slightly cheaper, as they rarely charge administration fee. On the contrary, since most of them live very far away from their respective properties, it’s better to go through letting agents Tunbridge Wells and other such places have several reliable and trustworthy agents and landlords who help you rent properties safely and smoothly.

• Key difference between Estate agents and Specialist Lettings

If one rents home privately, it may turn out to be a hassled job for many. Most of the landlords go for respected and well known estate agents. However, lettings estate agents might not turn out to be the best choice, mostly. This is because estate agents aren’t specialized to handle lettings, which seems to be just a tiny part of their services and this may prove to be problematic for landlords.

The prime focus of lettings agents is sales so one should consider hiring a specialist lettings agency instead, who work purely for lettings. Overall, there are several things one needs to consider before renting out properties. One should keep all these facts in mind so that they are able to make the best decisions.