What are the Advantages of Renting Through an Agent?

• A good Lettings Agent can offer you useful advice about renting a property. This could range from anything such as which are the more desirable parts of the city to your rights as a tenant.

• The agent will set up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement (AST) which states clearly both what the Landlords and Tenant’s obligations are. This is in place to be both fair to and to protect both parties. Be sure to read any Tenancy Agreement thoroughly before signing. Your agent can explain anything you do not understand.  

• Lettings Agents will have an in-depth knowledge of the area you wish to move to and be able to save you time by only showing you properties in the right location and of the right standard to suit you. They can also look out for the right property for you, so you don’t miss out.

• Agents deal with many properties and so have a good knowledge of current market conditions. The property will be assessed by the Lettings Agent and the Landlord given a realistic potential rental value. This should mean that you get a fairly priced property based on the current market value, not the Landlord’s often inflated desired income. You can ask the agent for useful details about a property you are interested in, for example if the property has been on the market for long time the Landlord may consider a reduced rent.

• All Lettings Agents should ensure that the property you rent is safe and has a current Gas Safety Certificate and an Energy Performance Certificate prior to advertising the property. They will also ensure that all soft furnishings meet current fire resistant standards etc.

• Agents often have established relationships with landlords and so you can get background information on your future landlord prior to committing yourself. It is important to know what kind of Landlord you are dealing with before you actually sign a contract. Agents will not deal with unscrupulous landlords.                                                                                                                                                       

• If the agent manages the property they are responsible for ensuring the Landlord adheres to the contract and can act as intermediatery in the event of any disputes. The agent of a Fully Managed property is there to protect the Tenant as well as the Landlord. Where a property is rented on a Let Only basis the agent only sets up the initial contract and the Landlord and Tenant must work directly with each other to resolve any differences.

• When an agent manages a property they will either place the tenant’s deposit with the DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme) or register it with the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) thus protecting the tenants deposit from being unreasonably withheld at the end of the tenancy.