Expert Advice: How to get what you want from a letting agent

After trawling the high streets and the property pages, and meeting so many lettings agents you felt that you were speed dating, you’ve finally found the right agency for you.  You’ve double checked that it is a member of a trade body so you know your money is protected and you asked all the relevant questions before signing on the dotted line.

So, what’s next?

Well, now it’s time for YOU to put the pressure onto the lettings agent to do all the hard work.  Before you do that, though, have a read of our four top tips to getting exactly what you want from your lettings agent!

1. Do your homework in advance

No, we don’t mean Maths or English but if you can and have the time, do some work in advance to position yourself as the best possible candidate for the property of your dreams.  If you have an excellent rental history, make sure you have all your references available and consider compiling a rental CV – you can produce one here: https://www.myrentalcv.com/signup.aspx?promo=LWEB. That will definitely help you to stand out from the crowd!

2. Be specific

If nothing in the window caught your eye, it’s time to brief the agent on what type of property you are looking for and the location.  The more information you can provide the better so that you only receive details of properties that exactly meet your brief. But don’t go overboard – no lettings agent will want to have consider the colour of the walls or type of floor covering!

3. Set your budget and stick to it!

Make sure you tell the letting agent exactly how much you can afford, even if it means giving an upper and lower limit, as that will help them narrow down the options.  Yes, an extra bedroom or a wee bit of garden might be nice but if it means going over your budget it’s not worth it.  If possible, make sure you leave some “wiggle” room in your budget so that you don’t stress yourself out about your finances on a monthly basis.

4. Be informed

Make sure you know exactly what’s involved in the tenancy agreement before you sign it.  If you are responsible for garden upkeep but know you won’t have the time or inclination to do it, tell the agent.  There’s no point in signing up for something that won’t happen as no one will be happy with the outcome and the last thing you want is to be hauled over the coals for a wilting wisteria!

Now you know what to do, hopefully your search will be much easier and you’ll be moving in to the property of your dreams in no time at all.