Choosing an Agent

Most localities nowadays have a number of agents and it can be difficult to decide which is best. You may rely on word of mouth recommendations from fellow landlords who are letting a similar type of property. Failing that the following pointers should be considered.

• Do they have a number of clients with properties similar to yours? If they do, it means they are more likely to find you a tenant quickly. Some specialise in certain types of property or tenants.
• Are they members of a recognised national organisation (see below)? Are they approved by the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS)? This does not mean their performance is guaranteed, but it makes it more likely that they know what they are doing.
• How long have they been trading? An established local presence means they are less likely to be a firm that goes under (with your funds) next week. If they have been trading for some time, make sure it is indeed the same firm, and not a new firm simply using an old established name.
• Are they part of a franchise? Some agents that trade under the same name are in fact separate firms trading under a franchise. There is nothing wrong with this, and indeed it may enable a small firm to provide a better service than otherwise, but it does have implications with regard to membership of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), NALS etc. The particular branch you are using may not be a member of ARLA just because a franchisee using the same name in another town is an ARLA member.