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

Letting Agent Talk

The pros and cons of renting to students: is it the right choice for you?

Student properties are no different in term of quality and facilities than any other type of private rental. And although landlords may have to spend a fair amount on setting up and properly maintaining student lets, they can also charge a good market rent. To help you decide whether letting to students might be worthwhile…
Read More →
Finance

Autumn Budget Misses Mark on Housing Reform: UK Rental Market Squeezed by Shortages and Rising Rents

The UK rental market faces mounting pressures, with a recent Rics survey revealing a critical shortage of properties and surging rent prices. Landlord instructions, a key indicator of properties available to rent, fell to a net balance of -29%, marking this the lowest level since 2021. Strong tenant demand is driving rents higher, with 33%…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Save a house deposit faster than ever in THESE areas!

Save a house deposit faster than ever in THESE areas! Aberdeen City in Scotland is named the best place to live if you want to save for a house deposit fast, saving in as little as a year and a half Inverclyde is second, whilst Burnley is third Average salaries and house prices in each…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Finding Your Dream Home: Expert Advice from Camberley’s Top Estate Agents

Finding the right estate agent is crucial when navigating the competitive housing market in Camberley. With local expertise and in-depth market knowledge, these professionals can guide you toward your ideal property, saving you time and effort. Their understanding of the area’s nuances, from property trends to community relationships, positions them as indispensable allies in your…
Read More →
Breaking News

Zoopla reveals most affordable towns in Britain

With the average home valued at nearly four times average household incomes, Zoopla reveals the most affordable towns in Britain   An average property in Britain is valued at 3.8 times the average annual household income (assuming 2 full-time workers) Cumnock in Scotland, is Britain’s most affordable town to buy in 2024 with average property…
Read More →
Software & Tech

The Evolving Nature of Real Estate and Strategies for Agency Success

Real estate agents are used to working with fluid market dynamics. Adapting their sales strategies and responding to new industry demands is almost second nature to most agencies today. However, while making the necessary adjustments when following housing market trends is important, it’s also important for agencies to consider new business innovations that become available…
Read More →