It is important to have a good understanding of the lettings process.
Christian Harper of Chiswick lettings agent OliverFinn helps you to avoid some of the most common hazards along the way.
"Letting a property can be a lengthy and complicated business, which while exciting is often fraught with stress and worry. The maze of paperwork, negotiations, inventory clerks, safety inspections, cleaners, utility providers combined with daily life is enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.
Luckily there is a lot of good advice around helping you to make your experience as easy and problem-free as possible.
* Never use a Lettings agent that is not a member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (
ARLA). If the agent is an ARLA member, your money will automatically be protected against fraud by the agent, and in the event of the firm going out of business.
* OliverFinn is a full licensed member which means all Assured Shorthold Tenancies deposits are held by the Deposit Protection Service, which is the government’s custodial scheme. We aren’t interested in making a few pennies in interest from deposits, at the expense of you and your tenants. This is not common practice in our industry - so be on your guard.
* If a lettings agent wants to hold the money, ask yourself why and do a bit of digging to find out if they have your best interests at heart. Look at the small print covering fees and charges. For example, some agents charge landlords for producing tenancy agreements. Why? Surely you are already paying for the job to be done? At
OliverFinn there are no hidden charges and or extras.
We have even heard of an agent charging a client for property management and then charging them a percentage of the plumber’s bill again for having to call them out. No wonder some people think our business is money for old rope!”
Related article: Advice for landlords - how to market your property.
