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The Benefits Of Using A Letting Agent, Five Good Reasons
I'm a long-time tenant. I prefer to rent. I currently rent in Putney. My partner's job takes him around the country and it's sooo much easier to move if you rent than if you buy. Plus we get to live in some wonderful character properties or ultra-modern flats. One thing I have learned, however, is that it's always, ALWAYS; better to rent through an agent. Why? Where to begin? Okay, learn from my experience, here are my top five reasons on why renting through an agent is best.
1. Inventories are your friend and your protection.
Letting agencies always provide an inventory that lists every single default in the property. Whilst this can seem to be a pain, it is, in fact, you protection against unscrupulous landlords who try to bill you for the torn stair carpet that was there when you moved in.
2. Agents mean you get a proper contract.
It's hard to believe, I know, but some landlords still think they can tie you into two year leases with no option of ending the tenancy early. Years ago, when I was still new to the renting game I found a flat to rent in Richmond. It was a gorgeous studio apartment with a garden view. The problem was the landlady insisted it was a two year rental! I signed, but only got out of the contract thanks to the Citizens Advice Bureau. With an agent, you can avoid all these unscrupulous tactics.
3. Agents mean you're more likely to get your deposit back.
With the advent of the Deposit Protection Scheme you might not think this is so important, but again, learn from my experience. Two years ago I found a flat to rent in Twickenham. It was through an agent but wasn't managed by a letting agent. This was another big mistake. The worn bath enamel that we had noticed on moving in, and had notified the landlord about, he then tried to fine us for when we moved out six months later. We ended up losing a fair amount of our deposit. With an inventory and a managed flat this never would have happened.
4. Problems get fixed faster.
With my second, bigger flat for rent in Richmond, I noticed that we had a damp patch suddenly appear in the corner of the living room ceiling. One quick call to the letting agent and it was sorted. They came around the next working day, looked at it and arranged for builders to come in and fix it. Compare this to my experience of my flat rent in Twickenham. We needed a new light fitting for the bathroom; the electric light just wasn't working. It was a problem with the electrics not the bulb. The landlord lived in a flat downstairs. It took nearly three months to get it sorted. We only got it fixed just before we moved out and then we got billed for it!
5. Agents know their landlords and properties
To be fair to my local letting agents, they had warned me off the flat in Twickenham. They had tried to work with this landlord before and dropped them from their books. I should have listened to them. At the time I thought they were sore at losing out on a commission. Now I know that they actually know their market and if they won't touch a property it's for a good reason. Now I won't rent any property unless it is through and managed by a letting agent.
If you want to avoid the expensive mistakes I've made, you'll do the same thing too.
Author Resource:-
Heathcoate specialises in letting residential property in the Richmond, Twickenham and Putney areas. We offer a unique all-inclusive service providing tremendous value for tenants and landlords. Do not hesitate to visit our site. http://heathcoate.co.uk/wordpress
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