If you have decided that you want to act as a landlord, it is often best to call on the services of a letting agent. A good letting agent will take care of most of the responsibilities for you, while still ensuring you receive income every month. Of course, there are many landlords to choose from, so here are some tips for landlords when choosing the best letting agent.
Choose one with a positive local reputation
First of all, you want to make sure that you find a letting agent that is operating in your area and has a positive reputation in the local community. Researching these areas will eliminate many firms which are not suitable, or those you wouldn’t want to work with.
Find a letting agent that is a member of a professional body
If you want peace of mind with a letting agent, and the knowledge that you can pursue a complaint or an issue against them if the need arises, you need to make sure that you find a letting agent that is a member of the National Approved Letting Scheme, or is at least a member of a professional body that supports it.
The three main professional bodies that support the National Approved Letting Scheme are:
- Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
At Spencer Harvey, we are pleased to say that we are members of ARLA and NAEA. We believe it is important to provide you with as much confidence as possible, and by being members of these bodies, we believe you can be confident about the service you’ll receive from us.
Know or learn what you want the agent to do
If you have a clear idea of what you want the agent to do for you, let them know from the start. Alternatively, look for an agent that will provide you with the specific services you require. If you are unsure of what you need, or you don’t know what a letting agent can do for you, engage with your potential letting agents and see what the available options are.
It’s not uncommon for new landlords to have limited knowledge, if you don’t know what is typically involved in the process, ask questions and make sure you understand everything. You’ll find that the best letting agents will be more than happy to help you develop your knowledge.
Check the management contract and conditions carefully
Different letting agents may seem similar on the surface, but when you review the terms and conditions of a management contract, the differences will become apparent.
Be sure to take the time to read over a contract, perhaps even get professional assistance in reviewing it. Reliable and honest agents will not be trying to trip you up, but determining these from the unscrupulous requires a thorough read of the contract. For your own peace of mind and safety, you should know every line and detail of a contact before you sign it.
If you are looking to become a landlord, help is available, so give yourself the best chance of success by finding the best letting agent for your needs.
For all your property needs, please contact Spencer Harvey Estate and Letting Agents on:
0161 480 8888
https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk