The Best Letting Agents

 Letting agents are essential for many landlords, particularly new and inexperienced ones. However, beware of those charging cheap bucket prices, they are likely to cut corners in their service!

Make sure you check their online reviews and compare them with others. Also look at their opening times (particularly weekends) to ensure they are available for enquiries.

1. Reputation

When searching for a good letting agent, reputation is incredibly important. Ask friends, family and neighbours who they use, as well as reading online reviews. It is also worth checking whether your chosen agent is a member of the Client Money Protection scheme and have professional indemnity insurance cover. These are minimum standards for letting agents, so if an agency fails to meet these requirements, it would be advisable to find another agent.Website design Dundee

If you are considering using an online letting agent, make sure that they are registered with the Property Ombudsman. This will give you peace of mind that any disputes or complaints will be dealt with fairly. You can also check that they have been vetted by SAFEagent to ensure that they are a trustworthy company.Dundee Web design

Letting agents have a range of services to offer, from basic tenant-find to full management. It is best to get a clear understanding of what each service level entails and decide which is right for you. All letting agents are required to display their fees in branch and on their website, so it is easy to compare costs.

Many online agents provide a basic tenant-find service, meaning that they will advertise your property and take enquiries from potential tenants. However, they typically don’t conduct viewings and it’s up to the landlord to arrange and conduct them. This can be inconvenient for some landlords, especially if they are busy or live far from their property. In these cases, it may be worth considering a more comprehensive service from an online agent that offers hosted viewings or a fully managed package.Glenrothes airport transfers

You can check an agency’s reputation by looking at their rankings on a number of independent review sites. However, it is worth noting that these ranking systems are biased by the volume of reviews and that large agencies with a national presence will have their reviews counted more than smaller, local agents. It is also worth bearing in mind that some of the larger online letting agents are a part of wider estate agency groups and therefore their rankings are based on the performance of the whole group.Airport transfers Glenrothes

2. Experience

Some letting agents may charge a lower fee than others, but it is important to look at the overall package. If you opt for a cheap agent and they fail to provide you with a quality service, you may end up paying more in the long run. You should also consider the number of years they have been in business, as this will help to ensure that they have the experience and knowledge needed to deliver a good service.

A good letting agent will have a broad range of marketing strategies to get your property seen by prospective tenants. They will also be able to advise on how much rent your property can expect to achieve. They will likely advertise on a number of major property portals and social media. You can also find out how well an agent is regarded by other landlords by checking online forums such as Landlord zone, Residential Landlord Association and Property Forum.

You should ask the agent how they deal with maintenance issues that arise. They should be able to explain how they will assess and report back to you, as well as give examples of how they have dealt with similar problems in the past. It is also worth asking how they will carry out inspections and whether or not they have a panel of tradespeople that they work with.

One of the most important qualities to look for in a letting agent is tenacity. This is the ability to push on despite setbacks and to remain positive in the face of challenges. A letting agent with tenacity will be able to find solutions for even the most difficult situations and will be able to guide landlords through complex compliance requirements.

You should also check to see if the agent is a member of an accreditation scheme like the National Approved Letting Scheme, or a professional body such as ARLA Propertymark. This shows that they are committed to high standards and will follow certain codes of conduct. It is also worth mentioning that a reputable agent will be transparent about their fees and should not make any hidden charges.

3. Fees

A good letting agent will make it easy for landlords to let their properties, helping to cut the hassle of marketing the property and finding tenants. A competent letting agency should also have the experience to handle all the paperwork involved with renting out a property, such as taking up references on new tenants, carrying out credit checks and confirming employment details. They should also be able to draw up a tenancy agreement and collate gas and electrical safety certificates.

Letting agent fees can vary widely, so it’s important to look at the level of service you require and compare the prices of different letting agents. Generally speaking, you will get what you pay for, and opting for the cheapest option may prove to be a false economy in the long run.

When comparing fees, it’s worth noting that some letting agencies charge a set up fee, while others will charge a monthly management fee for looking after the property on behalf of the landlord. The best letting agents will make it clear what they are charging for and explain any additional charges.

Whether the letting agent has professional indemnity insurance is also worth checking. This is important in the event of any disputes with both landlords and tenants.

A good quality letting agent should be able to market your property proactively, and have a presence on the high street as well as online. Make sure you check out how often they are open for queries – you want to be able to reach them at weekends and evenings, as this is when many prospective tenants will be available.

Letting agents should be signed up to one of the government-approved redress schemes, and they should display their membership clearly. In addition, it is a good idea to ask if they have client money protection insurance in place, which protects landlords and tenants in the event that the letting agent goes out of business. This is not a legal requirement, but it’s a good sign that an agent takes its responsibility seriously. It’s also worth looking at what other services the agent offers, such as conducting regular property inspections and providing professional photographs of your property.

4. Customer Service

The best letting agents will have customer service at the forefront of their business model. They will have a dedicated team who can be contacted via phone or email and will provide an excellent level of support to landlords. They will also make sure they are up to date on all the legislation that affects landlords and tenants. They will be aware of their responsibilities and will ensure they are carrying out inspections on a regular basis to keep the property in good condition.

The letting agent will be able to offer landlords a variety of service levels depending on how much they want the letting agent to manage their property. They will display these clearly in their branch and on their website. They should also be members of a recognised body, either ARLA Propertymark or safeagent, so they can demonstrate that they are following a code of practice and that they have Client Money Protection in place to protect landlords.

Typically, an online letting agent will offer a tenant find service where they will take professional photos of the property, draw up floorplans and advertise the property to attract tenants. They will also conduct references and Right to Rent checks, arrange and attend viewings and create an inventory. They will then negotiate with any offers that are made and set up a tenancy agreement and prepare any necessary paperwork. In addition, they will collect rent, handle legal requirements around protecting the deposit and chase up any rental arrears as well as offering insurance that can cover losses from tenant defaults.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service that you receive from your letting agent, it is worth writing to them outlining the problem and requesting a resolution. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice adviser to see if they can help. If you are unable to resolve the issue with your letting agent you can also complain to an independent complaints body. These are usually members of a government-approved independent redress scheme and will have Client Money Protection in place to protect landlords’ deposits.