Ensuring potential tenants have passed reference checks is the key priority for landlords when selecting an agent to let their property, according to new research by Hunters.
It surveyed 2,506 landlords and found that almost 70 per cent cited reference checks as “highly important” - the biggest score for any criterion determining how they chose an agent.
The speed of letting (highly important for 66 per cent) and quality of training of staff came second and third respectively.
“It’s highly important to ensure that, although the market is widening, agents are still doing the necessary procedures to protect both landlords and tenants” says Carrie Alliston, Hunters’ head of lettings.
The amount of rent, or capacity to secure higher rent, did not feature amongst the top three issues.
“It’s reassuring to see that despite rental price increases across the country our landlords have not cited marketing their properties at the most expensive price possible as a priority for them. This indicates that the increase in rental prices across England is due to wider market factors, such as house price increases or the additional stamp duty charges introduced in April, rather than landlord greed” says Alliston.
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The main problem with letting agents is that they don't train their staff to an adequate level and that's where the problem lies.
I could walk into most letting agents offices and ask staff three questions that they should be able to answer and I doubt if many would correctly answer even one.
Try me. I'm curious if my staff know the answers to your questions...
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