Top 10 questions to ask before instructing a letting agent.

May 29, 2015

After buying a new rental investment property, the next job is to find tenants! Letting agents come in all shapes and sizes, but sorting the wheat from the chaff might be a harder task than you’d think.  We’ve put together a list of the most important questions to ask a prospective agent before instructing them to find tenants for you:

1) Are you a member of a regulatory organisation such as ARLA or NALS?

2) Are you a member of the SAFEagent scheme, an organisation whose members all hold client money protection insurance?

3) Will my property be advertised on both Rightmove and Zoopla?

4) Do you use an independent referencing agency to assess all potential tenants and can I see the final reference reports before committing to a tenancy?

5) Do you take a holding deposit from interested tenants when they make an offer, so that I can be sure that they are serious about renting my property?

6) How many lettings staff will be working on my property?

7) How many active tenants does your office have on its database?

8) How many similar properties have you let in the last few months?

9) On average how long would you expect it to take before you achieve an offer from tenants?

10) What are your branch opening hours?

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index November – Thoughts from the Industry

Halifax House Price Index for November 2025 shows that: – On a monthly basis, house prices were broadly unchanged in November (0%) after a 0.5% monthly increase in October Annually, house prices were up 0.7% versus this time last year. As a result, the current average property price is now £299,892.   Here are some…
Read More →
Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index November 2025

House prices in November 2025 were flat compared to the same month a year earlier. UK house prices hold steady as yearly growth slows • House prices were broadly unchanged in November (+0.0%) after a +0.5% rise in October • Average property price is now £299,892, edging up to another new record high • Annual…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Skipton in North Yorkshire crowned 2025’s happiest place to live

Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain for the first time, in an annual study completed by thousands of residents across more than 200 local areas Residents of Skipton ranked the market town particularly highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the…
Read More →
Breaking News

National Estate Agent Day

iamproperty has created a new date for the property industry calendar – the first National Estate Agent Day. The awareness day has been created and registered by iamproperty and has an official spot in the UK National Awareness Days calendar starting next year on 26th February. This annual calendar date will become the official celebration…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Propertymark urges households to check carbon monoxide alarms and heating systems

As temperatures drop and households across the UK rely more heavily on boilers, gas fires, and open flames, Propertymark is urging everyone to take simple steps to protect themselves from the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO), the “silent killer.” Carbon monoxide has no smell, taste, or colour, yet even small amounts can cause a serious…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Autumn Budget 2025: Key advice for homeowners, buyers and landlords

The UK’s Autumn Budget delivered several headline-grabbing policies that will directly shape the future of the housing market. While initial reactions ranged from concern to confusion, property experts say the sector should take a measured, informed view, particularly as many changes won’t take effect for several years. From understanding who is going to face implications,…
Read More →