Among the landlords that I have met recently there have been an increasing number who are unhappy with the service they are getting from their current agents.
The reasons for this unhappiness have been quite varied, with the most common complaints being:
– Lack of continuity, unable to speak to the same person twice!
– Suspiciously high maintenance charges
– Late rent payments with no explanation
– Properties being left in disrepair at check out – the most upsetting!
– Poor communication and poor service
– Unexpected fees
Yet when I ask ‘Have you thought of changing agents?’ I invariably get the same response that they are waiting until the tenant hands in their notice, however their current agent will invariably put the property back on the market without advising you, the owner/ landlord that the tenant has given the required notice and before you know it they have another “often not suitable” tenant moving in. So you here you are again, tied to an agent that you do not want to work with.
If you want to break this cycle then you can do one of two things, wait for the property to become empty and then instruct someone new or change agent mid-tenancy. I recommend the latter but many people think it’s too difficult but check out my blog October 2014 “How To Move Your Property Management To Belvoir Aldershot”.
