Are you a landlord in the UK? With so many changes upcoming regarding the Renter’s Rights Act, it’s vital that you’re working alongside a reliable letting agent. In this blog, we’re looking into 4 signs your letting agent is not doing their job.
What is a letting agent responsible for?
Letting agents are generally responsible for appropriately managing the lettings process. They act as a middle point between landlords and tenants, ensuring that both parties have a seamless experience.
While specific responsibilities vary depending on the level of service you choose, some common responsibilities can include:
- Tenant screening
- Property viewings
- Marketing of properties
- Setting up tenancies
- Organising maintenance
- Conducting regular property inspections
- Rent collection
- Ensuring legal compliance
Many letting agents, such as Intus Lettings, offer varying levels of service, including a let-only service or a fully managed service. It’s totally up to you which option you choose, and depends on how involved you’d like to be in the rental process.
Whichever option you choose, it’s important to be aware of what is included, otherwise you run the risk of not getting the service you are paying for and failing to protect your investment property.
Warning signs of a poor letting agent you need to look out for
Poor communication with landlords
It’s vital that landlords and letting agents have clear communication, otherwise things can quickly become confusing. Some common signs of poor communication include messages being ignored or only contacting you when issues arise. A great letting agent should keep you updated with industry news and other information, unless you have requested otherwise.
Poor management of property maintenance
Most letting agents will be required to communicate with tenants about maintenance requests in the homes. This allows them to organise maintenance to be taken care of at a time that suits the tenants, and means that landlords don’t need to get involved. If letting agents are not proactive with maintenance issues and repairs, it can lead to tenants becoming frustrated and increased complaints, which damages the tenant and landlord relationship.
Reactive, rather than proactive approach
Letting agents should act in the best interests of their tenants and landlords, which means they need to be proactive rather than reactive. An example of this might come from letting agents failing to complete regular inspections, which can lead to more significant issues and higher repair costs for landlords.
High tenant turnover in your rental property
Tenants will naturally come and go in rental homes, but it can be a sign that something is not quite right if a letting agency has a high tenant turnover. Ideally, you would want tenants to stay in the home for longer periods, as this means the landlord has a steady income and can save money on advertising the property.
If your home is frequently vacant, check out our blog on how to reduce void periods. A great property management company will help you find high quality tenants.
What to do if you aren’t happy with your current letting agent
If the signs in this blog have resonated with you, then it might be time to select a different letting agent for your rental property. A good letting agency should be reliable, proactive and offer guidance to you.
At Intus Lettings, we have many years of experience in the private rented sector and always ensure a smooth experience for both landlords and tenants. We are here to make your investment as hands-off as you’d like, giving you more time to focus on other parts of your life.
Looking to switch letting agents? Contact us to see how we can help and read more about our landlord services.
