The maze of paperwork, negotiations, inventories, safety inspections, cleaners and utility providers are enough to make your hair stand on end.
Letting a property can be lengthy and complicated. It can be exciting but is often fraught with stress and worry. Christian Harper of flat-fee lettings agent OliverFinn: "It is important to have a good understanding of the process and avoid the common pitfalls.
"Luckily there is a lot of good advice around to help you to make your experience as easy and problem-free as possible." Here are some top tips:
- Only use a Lettings agent that is a member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents. If the agent is ARLA approved, your money is automatically protected against fraud by the agent, and in the event that they go out of business.
- OliverFinn is a full ARLA member - licensed for your complete protection. All of our Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST's) deposits are held by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), the government's custodial scheme.
- We are not interested in earning a few pennies, in interest from your deposits, at the expense of complete protection for you and your tenants.
- This is not common practice in our industry so be on your guard. If the agents want to hold the money, ask yourself why. What type of agents are they?
- Look at the small print covering fees and charges. Some agents even charge Landlords for producing tenancy agreements. Why, when you are already paying them to do the job? At OliverFinn, we have no hidden charges and no extras.
"We have even heard of an agent charging a client for property management," continues Harper, "... and then charging the landlord a percentage of the plumber's bill on top for having to call them out. No wonder some think our business is money for old rope!"
Landlord guide for further advice on managing your property and the lettings process.
