With the housing market going through a tough time at the moment and the property ladder as hard as ever to get onto, there is an increasing demand for property-to-let. This demand has seen a spate of new landlords emerging; some letting as a full-time venture and others letting for a bit of extra money. There are even cases where homeowners who have had to relocate to a new house are letting their old home rather than selling in the current climate.

Of course, letting a home isn’t as simple as placing an advert in the local newsagent anymore; there are complex legal procedures to adhere to and the market is as competitive as ever. There are two options for landlords; they can either choose to represent and try and let out properties themselves or use a letting agent.

For the first time landlord, using a letting agent is highly advisable – they will be able to handle all the legal issues such as deposit management and tenant referencing, can give you invaluable advice gleaned from years of experience and even (should you choose to pay them for it) handle the day-to-day management of your property. They can also provide a wealth of local property knowledge.

The first step to finding the right letting agent for you is to identify agents in the area your property lies. Narrow down agents through the other types of property they let – you don’t want an agent specialising in council houses to let out a penthouse – and their reputation with other landlords. You’ll be able to gain most of this information through internet research.

Once you’ve narrowed down your search somewhat, consider the various merits of your shortlisted agents. How much will they be charging you in fees, and what level of service can you expect from them? Don’t necessarily presume the agent charging the highest fees will provide the most comprehensive service. The best way to determine what they can offer you is to get in direct contact and negotiate – never just go for the first option, you may regret it later. Back up this knowledge by asking landlords who’ve worked with them in the past about their service, this way you can avoid any particularly nasty surprises.

It’s also important to consider their credentials when it comes to experience. Always go for an agent approved by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), as this is a seal of approval from the industry. Look into the history of the agent; how many years have they been practicing for? How many employees do they take on? With the boom in demand for rented properties, new agencies are cropping up all the time – you’ll want one that’s been around for a while.

Also consider what kind of agents your ideal tenants would be approaching; after all, they will be renting your property through them. Once you’ve settled on an agent, make sure you let them know exactly what you expect; the type of agents, the type of management you want, etc. This may end up costing you slightly extra (rent guarantees and maintenance deals, for example) but is well worth it to get the level of service you require. After that, your letting agent should help you along the way to becoming a successful landlord.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, specialist Manchester City Centre letting agents.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of http://www.shepherdgilmour.com/default3.aspx Shepherd Gilmour, specialist Manchester City Centre http://www.shepherdgilmour.com/Let-Your-Property-in-Manchester-SP-6.htm letting agents.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, specialist Manchester City Centre letting agents.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: letting agents, choosing letting agents