By Mike Edwards
There are lots of them and here are just some the rest follow in Part 2.
OK so times is ’ard and Landlords think letting properties is like shelling peas and they can do just as well. Consider these reasons why if you are a Landlord you should use an agent. And if you are an agent reading this, then make sure you push these benefits to win yourself some business!!
1. Depending who you pick they are the professionals
Select the right agent i.e. not just on price, and you have a pro on your team. OK so 40% of agents are not even registered with the Property Ombudsman because it is a voluntary scheme unless your agent belongs to ARLA, RICS, NAEA or NALS in which case membership is compulsory for them. And choosing an agent that is a member of a regulatory body doesn’t guarantee all will be sweetness and light – but you’ll have a better chance that it is.
2. Using an agent gives you someone to sue!!
May seem a mercenary reason but if you use someone claiming to be a professional, or that it was reasonable for you to consider they were professionals, if it all goes wrong you at least have someone else to blame – and sue. A Court will expect an allegedly professional agent to set and demonstrate higher standards – might be useful if you do end up with the tenant from hell.
3. They know how best to present a property and the best market for it
Doubtless your property is the best in the street or the block, and doubtless you have high personal standards. But there is nothing like objectivity to really discover just how ready for letting your property is – a professional agent knows what your property is up against locally and the standards your property needs to meet to compete in that market, and will advise you what needs doing to maximise your rental and speed of letting.
4. They can let your property quicker than you can
Or they almost certainly can and if any good they should do. At times of near insatiable demand such as we have now any property that is presented in a half decent location and condition, and at the right price, should let within at most a month of going on the market and really should be spoken for by a tenant being referenced within 2 weeks or so.
Agents have access to massive marketing power and will use property portals such as Rightmove, and will probably have their own website too. Some agents also advertise via social media such as twitter and facebook. Note to mention their shop front in the high street where people looking for accommodation can browse the professionally taken photographs.
The only way a Landlord lets privately themselves quicker than an agent is usually if they have simply taken the first prospective tenant that came along.
5. They will make sure you stay on the right side of the Law
Your professional agent will know all the legal requirements and will be able to advise you on everything from the right tenancy agreement that you need to making sure you have a gas safety record before the tenancy starts.
Life is getting more complicated and in April there will be revised rules and regulations relating to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and even more crucially, tenants deposits. If you are not an experienced landlord you will need professional help.
Recent Comments