What are the key things you look for in a letting agent?

I'm just about to complete on my first BTL property. I'm pretty excited (and a bit nervous) and one of the next things I need to do is find a suitable letting agent.

Does anyone have any tips, watch-outs or killer questions to be aware of when choosing an agent?

I was going to ask 3 to do a valuation and quiz them about the service they offer. But what are the things I should be asking that will help me get past the expect sales patter?

Eg. What is their average time on the market for lettings? What proportion of tenants are LHA, professionals, family etc?

I'm at the stage where I don't know what I don't know. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Luke

Check they are a member of ARLA. Also if they don’t tell you something you don’t want to be told can you trust what they are saying?

Hi Luke

If you type `letting agents` into the search box you will get several good threads on the subject which will help you determine what relevant questions you should ask about their service when they come to do their valuations. Here is one such thread for starters............

http://www.propertytribes.com/choosing-l...4871.html.

I interviewed about 8 over a period of about a year before settling on one I felt most comfortable with. There was no master matrix of questions i used just common sense investigation into their methods and protocols.
And it all boiled down in the end I guess to good ol gut feeling!

Just to clarify Luke . I`ve no idea why the Belvoir ad appears in my above post. I do not endorse their agency in any way and have no affiliation with them. But it just automatically appears under my text but above my name as if I`m shouting out their name to you in my post. I have no control over it being there. Its a bit annoying as it gives a distinctly false impression I feel. V&N any idea as to why it appears in some posts and not others please and your thoughts as to whether it should be there in that position or not ?

Hi Jonathan,

In order to keep the forum free for users, we needed to get it sponsored.

It is costing a significant amount of money to host the forum & data and up-date it and repair faults etc each month.

Companies are therefore sponsoring words. Each time you type a word that they have sponsored, such as "lettings agent", their banner appears below your post.

This does not mean that you endorse them in any way as they are general sponsors of the forum as a whole.

I hope that explains the banner?

@Luke

When it comes to lettings agents, be sure to use a company that has client money protection in place. There are various schemes, but a simple signpost to them is the SAFEagent logo.

You should also use an agent who is registered to ARLA or NALS as they operate to certain standards.

I also place a very high emphasis on lettings agents who use systems and digital technology as it makes them more efficient and their communication better.

I recommend National Property Group because of this.

Related reading: How to vet a lettings agent, and why you should.

Thanks V - Ah the wonders of modern technology! I can have some fun now with `lettines aygents`.

Ha ha . Bet that fooled them :-)

Hi all,

thanks for the pointer to that helpful thread. I'll go through with a fine tooth comb and pull out all of the nuggets

Just one more LA question. Is being a member of ARLA an absolute must or does Ombudsman Scheme for Estate Agents offer an equally valid quality seal. Does anyone know what protection these services offer or is it just the threat of being able to report any naughty behaviour and having their endorsement revoked?

Thanks,

Luke

I have been putting a report togrether to assist landlords who are looking for a new agent. I hope it helps and if there are any comments or views they will be most welcome. Please see attachment. Please advice if you cannot access it.

The question should be,; do you need a LL?
Is it not possible for you to manage things yourself.LA are not NEEDED.
It depends on what your personal circumstances are.
Tenant soucing you may do with various online LL for nothing or a very small fee.
Most of the good ones have posted extensively on this site, explaining fully how they do them.
You only need normal LL if you need them to manage the property because of your location or lack of desire to be involved.
Do you really want to give up 10% of your income to a LA.
If this is your first BTL property and you can spare the time to do things I would suggest you learn all about .being a LL now.
This will give you confidence for future BTL purchasing.
I would have saved myself hundreds of thousands of pounds had I done what I now advise you and of course use invaluable sites like this.
I just didn't know any better and used a LA.............Doh!!
The amount of advice and knowledge on this site and it's compatriot site property118.com is phenomonal.
Basically if the info is not on this site and property118 it ain't worth knowing!
The knowledgebase and assitance available is out of all proportion to the hardship you can save yourself.
It seems the industry professionals and experienced LL never seem to tire of answering the same old questions from inexperienced LL.
The value that these poster contribute could be easily measured in millions.
It is just a shame that not many LL know about such resources.
I only came across these forums and I have learnt an awful lot.
the fact that these posters are prepared to put in time and effort to inform the wider LL market cannot be applauded too highly.
They provide a fantastic free service and as a LL you can do no worse than monitor these forums to keep youself abreast of the latest happenings in the industry.
As Vanessa stated if you have to use a normal LA then you won't go far wrong than use NPG.

Banging the same old drum as normal Paul. Some LL need a LA and prefer to work with them. As you have said there are plenty of threads for Luke to look up and decide himself. His question was once he has decided to proceed with a LA what should he be looking for?