Choosing a letting agent

Is there anyone you could speak to that have used an agent in your area? The one my daughter used [which was the most high profile one in the area] didn't appear to be doing the regular check on the house [the tenants had extra people living there and chickens in the garden and it looked as if they'd repainted certain rooms during their tenancy]. For that reason I wonder if you could ask for a written summary of all checks as and when they have been made.

Good heavens. You shouldn't have to ask for a written summary of the checks; you should get one automatically, plus photographs of anything that needs repair, maintenance, etc.

Commission can be negotiated but only if you have something to negotiate with, such as a portfolio of properties.

DD has just had to move due to the landlord wanting to sell the house she was renting. They had been there 6mths. They had not had a check until the day before they moved !
Agents are W...d & Ptns the nation wide chain. Not to be recommend.

Check how maintenance is organised. If they have a central office that handles it all, go elsewhere. Make sure that all problems are handled locally. I had a successful arrangement with the local branch of a big firm where all problems were dealt with locally then they decided to centralise all maintenance and management at an office 30 miles away and after a year of inefficiency and chaos and large repair bills I moved on.

If you use a smaller local firm check that they have all the proper bonds and separate accounts for deposits.

cheers. 2 down, 2 more to go. It is an education.

Oh, I know this is obvious but boiler maintenance is important; if it isn't done it would probably invalidate the insurance. My daughters house started off with a yearly contract and changed to a 6 month rolling one when they decided to put it back on the market. Because it had been on the market prior to letting she also had a photographic record of the state of each room and the garden.

I think annual gas safety check is the law

Be sure to get proof that the deposit has been paid before handing over the keys. The agent I used let the tenant in before the money had arrived - long and expensive saga to get my money back.

How interesting. There i was thinking "Everyone skimming about 10% plus VAT. Is it a cartel?" when someone walks through the door and offers 5%/

Lots of progress on the move to N Wales. Tenants found - all we need is for their employers to do their bureaucracy before they sign. Fortunately they want us to leave most of furniture, which is handy (we're moving into a tiny flat).
My main contribution today was to clean down the sides and underneath of the kitchen appliances. Found the perfect implement - a huge bottle brush about 2 ft long designed to clean out bird feeders. As I explained to DH - i don't mind the dirt as it is mine, but would not expect to move in with someone else's.
DH cleaned junk out of garage and took it to tip and we signed the agreement with the agent. Our EPC done yesterday and came out as an A grade. Oh and the plumber finished fitting the shower over the bath.
Priority really is to make sure the blackcurrants ripen before we move out, Been snipping off leaves frantically

Jess on the subject of leaving most of your furniture.

My son lets out his flat unfurnished - he was going to leave behind the large TV instead of shipping it to Switzerland but the agents advised that if he did he would have to replace it should it become faulty.

Could you do a separate deal with the tenants to buy the furniture from you?

No it is fine elegran we are letting furnished which suits them and us. Most of it is IKEA and a few years old. They are happy for us to leave some stuff in the garage which is particularly useful.
They are on an ex-pat deal where they have a budget - if they have to buy furniture they get less money available for rent. They will, fingers crossed, suit us as they want a family home for 3 years and the rent is backed by their govt. We'd rather have the higher rent than money for not very valuable furniture.
It is getting serious now. I have started the final sort on clothing... anything else to chuck? Pile to put in those vaccuum bags that can be stashed under the bed... etc