Many aspiring landlords wonder whether they should rely on a letting agent to manage their properties. It costs less to do it yourself, of course, so why hire an agent? As many experienced landlords know, though, there are many great benefits to using a letting agent.

Distance. One of the most common reasons to hire a letting agent is distance from the property. Landlords who own properties that are hundreds of miles away should consider having someone close by manage the property. This is particularly important for overseas landlords, who own properties in one country and live in another. Personally managing properties from such a distance is usually impractical.

Legal Expertise. A good letting agent is familiar with the laws and regulations surrounding rental properties in his area. Agents know how to handle liability, how to minimize risk, and how to manage properties in a manner that keeps landlords out of trouble. It is easy for an inexperienced landlord to accidentally violate regulations, landing himself in financial and legal trouble. Using an agent eliminates that risk.

Time Commitment. Managing a property requires a significant amount of time on the landlord\’s part. Advertising, handling paperwork, meeting with tenants and handling issues as they occur all require time. Although landlords who only own one or two small properties can sometimes fit this time commitment into their schedules, anyone who owns a significant amount of property should consider working with a letting agent. Indeed, even managing one small apartment can be difficult for a landlord with a very busy schedule.

Marketing. Many letting agents offer a wide range of advertising and marketing services. They know how to market properties online and how to draw in potential tenants. Every day a rental property stays vacant is money out of the landlord\’s pocket, so these marketing services can be invaluable.

Dealing With Tenants. No one can make a landlord\’s life miserable faster than a bad tenant. Letting agents know how to interview tenants, how to handle property viewings and how to conduct background checks. A landlord who works with an agent knows that his tenants are reliable, can make their rent payments on time and will not cause trouble.

Specialized Knowledge. It is not uncommon for another professional, such as an estate agent, to offer letting services. Although other agents may be able to handle the basics of property management, a letting agent is an expert on every facet of managing a rental property. Letting agents can deal with any issues immediately as they arise, preventing small problems from turning into big problems.

Up-to-Date Information. Good letting agents know that the rental market is constantly changing. Fluctuating regulations, economic conditions and property developments provide a dizzying array of new information, and it can be difficult for a landlord to keep up. The letting agent\’s job includes staying on top of the market, preventing landlords from being taken by surprise.

For all these reasons, hiring a letting agent can make managing your rental property a breeze. The best letting agents will secure tenants faster, deal with problems immediately and keep your valuable investment safe.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, offering property to let Manchester.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour (http://www.shepherdgilmour.com), Manchester estate and letting agents.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, offering property to let Manchester.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: manchester letting agents, property to let, renting property