Why Good Tenants Choose to Rent Through a Letting Agent

Why Good Tenants Choose to Rent Through a Letting Agent

Most landlords are familiar with how a letting agent can make their lives easier and improve the profitability of their buy-to-let.

Having a professional on side to help with tenant selection, legal compliance and inspections brings obvious benefits.

While the perspective of landlords is well understood, it’s also worth viewing the issue through tenants' eyes.

Many tenants prefer renting through a letting agent rather than directly through a landlord. Let’s look at why.

Security concerns

Rental scams (where fraudsters pose as landlords on social media and con tenants out of cash) have risen significantly in recent years.

Tenants want to feel certain that the person they’re dealing with is legitimate. A letting agent with an established business and website can provide peace of mind.

Ease of contact and responsiveness

If there is an issue at the property, will it be resolved quickly? That’s a question tenants mull over when property-hunting.

A letting agent who manages local properties for a living is obviously well-placed to provide the responsive service that tenants are looking for.

Now we’re not suggesting that all landlords are unresponsive. To the contrary, many do a good job. But the term ‘absent landlord’ is part of our vernacular for a reason.

Many tenants will have heard horror stories (or have their own tales to tell from personal experience) landlords who live miles away from their rentals and are painfully slow at responding, even in emergencies.

Reputation

It’s difficult to check a landlord’s reputation. Tenants have to trust their gut and keep their fingers crossed. However, with letting agents, tenants can do some background research. They can read online reviews and testimonials. The agent may also have professional qualifications or be a member of a professional body.

Compliance

Tenants want certainty that the person managing their rental (and looking after their deposit) knows what they’re doing and understands the law.

They don’t want to have to fight for their rights; they’d rather work with a professional who takes their job and tenant well-being seriously.

If a letting agent has run a successful business for years, it’s safe to assume that they have established procedures and processes over the years to meet their obligations.

Find out more

To attract high-quality, professional tenants, you need to reflect professionalism in the way you market and manage your rental.

To find out how we do it and learn more about our track record serving the local area, get in touch on 0114 266 0660.