1) Are they members of the right professional bodies?
Letting Agents are not regulated but choosing one that is a member of the Propertymark Scheme (Propertymark), a redress scheme such as Ombudsman Services and Propertymark should be the first step before making a decision. It is also important that they have Client Money Protection.
2. Are they correctly advertising their fees?
Honourable agents will be upfront and honest with their fees and it is now a legal requirement that all letting agents clearly display their fees on their website and in their office. However that does not mean that all agents do this and it is important that you read all of the small print in your contract and question any additional charge. Since the day we opened Belvoir York’s fees have been advertised, although this may be because we are the most competitive in the area.
3. Charging for tenancy renewals
Tenancy renewal fees are completely unnecessary however you will find that lots of agents charge. At Belvoir York if both a tenant and landlord are happy with a periodic tenancy then no cost has been incurred to the agent and therefore no cost will be given to the client.
4. Charging for contractor works
In our opinion part of a letting agents job is to arrange maintenance work this should be covered by the management fee a landlord pays each month. However lots of agents add on an extra 10-15% to the quotes the contractor sends them as a way to make some extra income. Belvoir York believe this is completely immoral but some agents get round it by writing it in the small print of a contract – another reason to read your terms of business.
5. Do they understand safety requirements?
Letting out a house can be a legal minefield and the law changes almost every month. One reason a landlord may use an agent is to give this responsibility to the managing agent however it is surprising how many agents do not follow legal guidelines such as the new Right to Rent laws, smoke and CO regulations and more specifically to York, Article 4. At Belvoir York we have access to a legal helpline 7 days a week, write safety articles for York Press and send out a monthly newsletter with all legal updates to our landlords.
6. Do they cover the A-Z of property management?
Letting agents should have the contacts and resources to handle the entire A-Z for a landlord. That means handling the finer details from arranging all the necessary contracts to arranging a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Gas Safety Certificate and Landlord Inventory. It seems pointless using a letting agent if they require you to do some of the legwork e.g. arranging an EPC. At Belvoir York not only do we do all of this but we also have a 24/7 emergency call out and we believe in using local, family run businesses where we can.
Of course if you really want to find a fantastic agent then Belvoir York is the way to go. Contact Claire or Charlotte today for more information. 01904 231022 york@belvoir.co.uk
