Many surveys conducted in recent years show that UK tenants prefer to rent through a letting agency rather than through a private landlord. Some surveys discovered that the split is 70-30 in favour of letting agencies and Cheltenham tenants are no different, with most opting for a professionally-managed rental.
There are a few reasons for this and we’ll explore them here.
A letting agency helps you to avoid rogue landlords
The news often features horror stories about rogue or neglectful landlords who fail to maintain their properties or who charge extortionate rents for damp, unsafe dwellings.
Going through a letting agency gives you the guarantee that everything is legitimate and that your new Cheltenham rental will be just as you see on the website – as well as safe and energy efficient. In addition to this, if something does go wrong, your agent will send you a trustworthy and reliable contractor to fix it, not his mate Dodgy Dave.
You won’t have to deal with an annoying landlord
A private landlord might have an emotional connection with your rental property, which can make things awkward if and when they pop around to check in on things.
Alternatively, they might not have the professional skills to deal with utility problems or other potential issues and this can quickly descend into miscommunication and resentment. A letting agency will know what to do with a problem and who to go to – without the personal entanglement of a property owner.
You’ll get a timely and reliable service
A private landlord might have a full-time job on top of being a landlord, making them less available for problems or even routine maintenance. A letting agent, on the other hand, deals with property as a living and is also much more likely to be local and able to get to your property in good time – even in the middle of the night.
You’ll get professional treatment and standards
Letting agents are trained to look after your rental. They don’t just know how to explain your contract or arrange a plumber, they are trained to deal with disputes, difficult personal situations and household emergencies.
Letting agents have good communication skills and time management so they can deal with your problems very easily and diplomatically. They’re also experienced enough to see potential issues before they arise and deal with them or prevent them altogether.
