A landlord’s guide to switching letting agents
Why landlords switch letting agents
Poor communication
The landlord feels that the letting agent isn’t keeping them updated on things that affect their property.
Late rental payments
Landlords get frustrated when rent is paid late from their agent, especially when a tenant has paid on time.
Compliance errors
Falling foul of the myriad of rules and regulations around rental property is the cause of many relationship breakdowns between landlords and letting agents
Take a look at the reasons above, If one or more relate to you, it may be worth considering switching agents.
How to change agents successfully
01.
Check the contract you have with your current letting agents. Confirm how long the contract is for. How much notice do you need to give them? Are there any early exit fees involved? (Remember, this contract is usually separate from any tenancy agreement signed between you and your tenant.)
02.
Once you’re happy with the with the legalities of leaving, send a written notice that you wish to terminate the contract. Sending by recorded delivery is a good way to ensure receipt of your notice. Many agents will accept notice via email. Always ask for written confirmation that your notice has been received.
03.
Create a paper trail/email threads of written communication between you and the letting agent. This will be invaluable if there are any misunderstandings or disputes.
04.
Make sure you have copies of all paperwork linked to the property. This includes Gas Safety certificates, warranties, tenancy agreements, tenant identification, EPCs, deposit details, and several other items we can advise you on. Most good agents are happy to pass these straight over to the new agent. We are always happy to contact the outgoing agent on behalf of our landlords to access any paperwork required.
05.
Let your tenant know you are switching agents. They needn’t know why, and the outgoing agent should also make them aware of your decision. The new agent will contact them to discuss rental payments, maintenance reporting, and periodic inspection advice.
06.
Give your new agent an update on which stage of the switching process you are at. A good letting agent will help you throughout this process. This is something we do as standard.
07.
Once the notice period is over, collect the property keys, the original tenancy agreement, any other documents, and reset any alarm codes if necessary. This is something we are happy to do on behalf of our landlords.
08.
Finally, seek written confirmation from your outgoing agent that all fees have been paid and that your working relationship with them has ended with no outstanding matters.
Ready to Talk?
Whether you’re letting or renting, we at Divergent Letting Agents help ensure a cost-effective, smooth and hassle-free process. Take the next step now and get in touch with us.