Are you thinking about renting out a property?
Time management, organising finances, finding tenants, and fixing boilers – they are all part and parcel of being a landlord. And as your property portfolio grows, so do the responsibilities.
Many people make the mistake of going it alone – cutting out the need for a letting agent (and their fees). However, even if you’re an experienced landlord and have been through the agonising process of letting out properties in the past, it never gets any easier.
Having a reputable letting agency on board can be a real boon. They will help to reduce the burden of managing your property, dealing with tenants, collecting rent, organising necessary repair work, and so much more.
Here Warrington letting agents, Easylet Residential, explain the reasons why it pays for landlords to seek assistance from the professionals and how tenants can benefit, too.
1. The most suitable tenants will be sourced for you
A good letting agent will market your property in their shop window and online. They’ll also screen and reference prospective tenants and – depending on their level of experience – they might be able to spot the tell-tale signs of a troublesome lodger.
Although it’s impossible to completely eradicate problems later on, it’s a sure-fire way to reduce the chances of this happening.
2. All viewings will be accompanied
Not got the time to accompany prospective tenants on viewings? Don’t fancy handing your keys to a complete stranger? Why not employ a letting agent?
They can go along to the viewing and show potential renters around the place, answering any questions or queries they may have. And best of all, our letting agents always provide feedback after each viewing to ensure you’re kept in the loop.
3. You needn’t worry about the legalities
Before you can rent out your property to a tenant, certain legal requirements must be met, such as gas and electrical safety checks, fire and safety regulations, and energy performance certificates.
Whether you have a ‘let only’ or full management agreement, your letting agent should take care of the legalities, and keep you informed of any legislation changes to ensure your rental is fully compliant.
4. The tenant’s deposit will be protected
Before tenants move into a rental property, they will pay a security deposit. By law, landlords must secure this in one of the following deposit protection schemes:
- Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
- MyDeposits
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme
At Easylet, we register deposits with the DPS for a small fee. In doing so, we ensure landlords comply with current legislation and provide tenants with the assurance that their deposit is protected throughout their tenancy agreement.
5. A proper inventory will be carried out
A thorough inventory is essential nowadays and must be carried out before anyone moves in. Without one, a landlord has a slim chance of winning if they are taken to adjudication by their tenants.
The beauty of using a professional letting agency is that their experienced staff can compile a list of all the items in the property (including HD photos) – ensuring that nothing is missed off.
Should any issues arise during the tenancy, the fact that the inventory was drafted up by a third party – not the landlord – will give it greater weight by an adjudicator.
6. Regular property checks will be completed
Don’t have time to visit your rental property week in, week out? Fear not, a letting agent can perform frequent visits to not only make sure your property is in peak condition but to ensure tenants are keeping their side of the bargain and taking good care of it.
They will access the property and conduct the inspection on your behalf, and pass on any concerns or queries from occupants.
7. You’ll never need to call a handyman for repairs and maintenance
When something goes wrong, it’s helpful to know that a 24-hour emergency call-out is included with a full management package.
That means, landlords won’t be woken up in the middle of the night when the power goes off or the boiler breaks down, and renters can relax knowing that issues will be rectified as soon as possible.
Plus, you needn’t worry about having the number of a plumber, electrician, joiner, or builder saved in your phone!
8. You’ll always get your rent
Perhaps one of the biggest worries of landlords is tenants not paying their rent or bills on time, which can have a knock-on effect on your cash flow and other aspects of your daily life.
If you opt for a ‘let only’ service, your chosen letting agent should draw up the tenancy agreement and collect the deposit and first month’s rent on your behalf. We certainly do at Easylet. And with a full management package, you can trust that everything is taken care of – including rent collection and rent chasing (if required).
9. You’re guaranteed peace of mind
If you’re renting your first property, using a letting agent will allow you to focus your time on expanding your portfolio. However, if you own multiple properties and let them out, you can also be confident that they are in safe hands.
Letting agents will deal with any problems that arise during the tenancy – from leaking taps to accidental lockouts and emergency repairs.
10. You’ll receive a professional service
Seeking advice and support from letting agents can benefit you in more ways than one.
For instance, when you enlist the help of our experts, you can relax knowing that we will monitor any changes in the tenancy and report them to you immediately. We’ll also make sure that maintenance issues are resolved as quickly as possible and deal with disputes in a professional manner.
Ready to employ a letting agent?
Easylet Residential is a professional, forward-thinking letting agency in Warrington – dedicated to providing our clients with a stress-free and cost-effective service.
Whether you’re a landlord and need a helping hand with property management or you’re a tenant looking for a place to rent, we are confident that we can help. So, why not call us on 01925 633 011 or email info@easyletresidential.co.uk, and we’ll get back in touch?
You’re also welcome to come and visit us at our branch in the town centre. We’re open from 9.00 am till 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10.30 am till 2.00 pm on Saturdays.
