Choosing a letting agent isn’t just about finding a tenant quickly.
It’s about protecting your investment, staying compliant with ever-changing legislation, and avoiding mistakes that can quietly cost you time, money and peace of mind.
Yet many landlords still make decisions based on one of two things: the highest rental figure or the lowest fee.
Both are tempting. Neither tells you how well your property will actually be managed once a tenant moves in.
A more considered approach is to ask better questions at the start.
Here are five that will give you a much clearer picture of how a letting agent really operates behind the scenes. The next five will follow in part two.
1. How will you set the right rental price?
Getting the price right from day one matters more than most landlords realise.
Overprice it, and your property can sit empty, costing you more in void periods than you ever gain in rent. Underprice it, and you may secure a tenant quickly but lose out over the lifetime of the tenancy.
A strong agent will explain exactly how they arrive at their valuation. That means using local evidence, current demand and comparable properties, not guesswork or inflated figures designed to win your instruction.
The goal isn’t the highest number. It’s the right number that attracts the right tenant at the right time.
2. How do you select tenants?
The quality of your tenant will shape your entire experience as a landlord.
Ask for detail here. Proper referencing should include affordability checks, employment verification, previous landlord references and a clear process for identifying risk.
This is not the place to cut corners.
A thorough approach at the start dramatically reduces the likelihood of arrears, disputes and avoidable stress later on.
3. How do you keep me legally compliant?
Landlord legislation has become increasingly complex, and ultimately, the responsibility sits with you.
A good agent should act as a guide, not just a middleman.
Ask how they manage safety certificates, deposit protection and Right to Rent checks. More importantly, ask how they stay ahead of upcoming changes, not just react to them.
You’re looking for someone who removes uncertainty, not adds to it.
4. What happens if rent isn’t paid?
No landlord plans for problems, but it’s important to understand how they’ll be handled if they arise.
Ask what happens if a payment is missed. How quickly is it picked up? What communication follows? Is there a clear, structured arrears process?
The best agents deal with these situations calmly, consistently and early, before they escalate into something more serious.
5. How is maintenance managed?
Maintenance is where many landlord-agent relationships either work brilliantly or start to break down.
Ask how issues are reported, who carries out the work, and how costs are controlled. You should also understand how quickly problems are addressed and how you’ll be kept updated.
A well-managed system protects your property, keeps tenants happy and stops minor issues turning into major expenses.
A more informed way to choose
As founding members of the Ethical Agent Network, and part of its advisory panel, we’ve always believed that good letting is built on transparency, responsibility and doing the right thing even when it’s not the easiest option.
That applies just as much to how landlords choose their agent as it does to how properties are managed.
These five questions won’t take long to ask, but the answers will tell you everything about the service you’re about to receive.
In part two, we’ll share five more questions to help you make that decision with even greater confidence.
If you’re a landlord in Thetford and would like a straightforward conversation about your property, we’re always here to help.
Article by Andrew Overman | Partner | Location Location East
