Letting Agent

A letting agent is a company or individual who acts as an intermediary between landlords and tenants. They typically offer services across a spectrum from "let only" (find a tenant and step back) to "fully managed" (ongoing property management).

Services typically included in a fully managed letting: - Advertising the property on portals (Rightmove, Zoopla) - Conducting viewings - Referencing applicants (credit checks, employment checks, previous landlord references) - Drawing up tenancy agreements - Collecting the deposit and registering it in a government-approved scheme - Collecting monthly rent and transferring to the landlord - Handling tenant queries and maintenance requests - Conducting periodic property inspections - Managing the move-out process, deposit disputes

Costs: let-only fees are typically 6-12% of the first month's rent (or a flat fee). Fully managed is typically 10-15% of monthly rent, ongoing, plus additional charges for renewals, contractor mark-ups, and administrative tasks.

Choosing an agent: look for ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) membership, local market knowledge, and a transparent fee structure. Read the terms carefully - additional charges beyond the headline percentage are common.