How To Choose The Right And Professional Letting Agents?

Whether you are a new landlord or already have an existing portfolio, having the right letting agent who will take care of your property is important. It minimises the stress level and maximises profit. Proper research can help you to get one who will look after your property. We have listed some important tips for finding the right agent in West Hampstead. 

Check accreditation

Check whether the letting agent is a National Approved Letting Scheme member. The agents don't need to be regulated by the law. Just search for those who can proactively join schemes and prove they are reputable. The professionals should look out for:

• Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
• National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The agency you are looking for should be a safe agent. If so, they are a part of the Client Money Protection Scheme. They are recognised by the Government and will safeguard your cash. In addition, they assure you that your property is fully protected, which will also give you peace of mind. 

Check insurance 

The client money protection scheme is for long ruin, but make sure the letting agent also has its insurance in place. Ask them whether they have professional indemnity insurance and at what level they are insured. It covers the agent for any unlikely event, and this is also a good indicator of a proper running business. 

Check if they can deal with legal issues

As a landlord, it's not simple to buy a property and find a tenant, as there are many legal requirements that you must also check and fulfil. In addition, you should take care of a few things like electrical and gas safety regulations. Meeting such requirements can be a headache. However, finding one of the best property agents is a good idea. They can take care of all these requirements, and you know that your business is compliant during the tenancy. 

Check Policy and Maintenance 

You should also check how the agent will deal with the repairs and maintenance to keep your property on sale in good condition. Some of the established agents will have reliable contractors who will take care of any issues. 

Matches Your Needs

Professional letting agents can offer many things, so you need to check whether the services they provide fulfil your needs. The first step is knowing what you want from them to know your requirements. Once you know what you need, you can make the right decision. Many offers three-tier service like:

Rent collection:- Many landlords handle the daily things of property management but don't want to handle the rent collection. In such a case, it is a perfect choice. Remember that tenants prioritise payments to the agents more than an individual. It is because they know the agents will immediately pursue late or missed payments.

Let only:- It is perfect for the landlords for whom their investments are the only source of income. The professionals have the knowledge and time to manage properties by themselves, so this is the ideal option for them. 

Full management:- In this, a professional management team deals with the day-to-day tasks related to the landlord's work. 

Be aware of the charges

The charge you are going to pay can differ from one agent to another. Be aware of the charges, so there are no such hidden charges. It includes:

• Admin fees
• Vacant property fees
• Renewal commission 
• Individual service charges like taking inventories, drawing up agreements etc. 
• Estate agency fees

At the same time, you should also remember that the cheapest ones can also lead you to the worst scenario, so make sure they provide good service as well. 

Make Efforts

As a landlord, having an empty property can be the worst nightmare. So make sure the letting agent will find the right tenant and do all the work for you. Check how they are marketing the properties and whether they have only one promotion. If so, they will not be able to reach a large audience. The right agents will make a marketing effort and will be everywhere, from social media to the high street area. 

Check Testimonials and Reviews

Check what others are saying about these agents. If you know someone who has worked with these agents, ask them about their experience. This is one of the best ways to trust an agent, and you can also be at peace when making the decision. However, you don't need to always rely on family and friends for recommendations. The Internet is also a place where you can do research and check the agents' reviews and others to make a comparison.

Conclusion 

Keep these points in mind when choosing a letting agent so you make the right decision. If the professionals fulfil all your needs, work with them and will be assured that you are in safe hands.