Everyone will agree that the property market has been turbulent over the last 2 years and during this time many estate agents who before the property price crash simply sold properties are now an authority on lettings and management…or are they?

Landlords should be very careful when instructing an estate agent to handle the letting and management of their property. Agents who can’t sell property have turned their hand to letting property, but do they have the experience and industry knowledge to provide you with first class advice? Are they aware of the legal legislation involved with letting a property? Can they advice you on tax matters? Or do they simply see lettings as a quick and easy way to make some money while property sales are slow?

Lettings and property management are very different from selling a property – just because they both involve property doesn’t mean they are the same. A buy-to-let investment needs to be managed professionally, its not simply about arranging viewings and creating the tenancy agreement, its about providing the right advice to landlords and tenants, ensuring the right tenant rents the right property and the property must be professionally managed, not only to ensure the investment continues to generate an income for the Landlord but to ensure all legal obligations are met. The legislation for lettings is changing all the time, especially when it comes to maintenance, electrics and gas, you need to be confident that your agent is fully up-to-date with the latest requirements.

Landlords should also tread carefully when their current letting agent suddenly starts to sell property, after all you probably chose them because they specialised in lettings and not sales. Time and time again we hear from Landlords who are not happy with their current agent, most complaints revolve around lack of communication, slow responses to information requests, unorganised approach and the biggest complaint of all is when you’re promised a call back or email and it never arrives. Remember if your agent is not fully focused on lettings and management how do they have time to provide you with the service you expect?

North East Letting has always concentrated fully of lettings and management and providing a professional first class service to clients, that’s why since we began in 2004 we still only let and manage residential property and we’re proud of that.

We let and manage a wide range of properties throughout the North East, whether you have a studio flat or luxury country estate our service goes above and beyond what our competitors provide. We’re fully focussed on letting and managing your property.

If you would like to find out more about our service please call us on free phone 0800 612 5228.