MEGATHREAD:- Recommended Lettings Agents

[Lizzie_X]

No i dont think there are, dont use Haybrook whatever you do, a friend used Bloor and said they were very good.

[mogwai84]

Used Martin and Co a couple of times and they were excellent. Lewis Wadsworth are ok too (although a bit forgetful and like to arrange regular inspections).

[rollitt87]

Could anyone fill me in on the pro's and con's of using a letting agent? Thanks.

[FACEBOOK]

I've no idea.

Edited November 2, 2011 by FACEBOOK

[absynthfairy]

I went quite innocently into Blundells to register my interest in nice 1 and 2 bedroom houses today to be told I would need a month in advance plus £100 admin fee PLUS £210 referencing fee (I explained I already had my references and as far as I was aware the cost of calling people on the phone had dropped somewhat since 1976 but still...) I had heard of other agents charging ridiculous fees (Mike Jolly for one) but does anyone know of any that are reputable or more reasonable? Or do I need to quit my Rightmove addiction and start prowling post offices and the Telegraph for private landlords?

Edited December 13, 2011 by absynthfairy

[bioduk]

I went quite innocently into Blundells to register my interest in nice 1 and 2 bedroom houses today to be told I would need a month in advance plus £100 admin fee PLUS £210 referencing fee (I explained I already had my references and as far as I was aware the cost of calling people on the phone had dropped somewhat since 1976 but still...) I had heard of other agents charging ridiculous fees (Mike Jolly for one) but does anyone know of any that are reputable or more reasonable? Or do I need to quite my Rightmove addiction and start prowling post offices and the Telegraph for private landlords?

 

That would certainly be better than paying over £300 for the privilege of being registered with an agent. A few years ago my friend paid an agent admin fees only to be told she couldn't get the houses she wanted because she didn't have a previous rental address and therfore reference despite her starting her first job as a Dr.

In my opinion estate agents are a rip off and theres no need to waste your money paying them to do what a descent private landlord does for free. Their properties are overpriced because they take a big chunk of what the lanlord gets in rental. The best properties aren't advertised with agents- look in local shops and the telegraph.

[martynh99]

When we sold our house, we rented about 18 months ago through william h brown at crystal peaks.

Despite me being the wage earner in the family, had to have credit checks done on myself, wife, son who was at college(18 yrs old) - each of the credit checks cost the same (£45 each from memory).

We also had to pay half of the pre / post tenancy inspection(think that was £20 but well worth it as the landlord claimed we damaged blinds, carpets and allsorts but the photos the inspection firm took proved otherwise) and also half the contract fee (£75 I think)

 

We also enquired about properties with Crapper & Haigh but never rented through them and from memory they only charged for a bank reference which at the time was about £8.

 

There was one in Rotherham (name escapes me) and they wanted £130 per person to do credit checks, even on a 15 year old child - didn't bother renting with them,

[Vantastic]

'Gumtree' is probably the best option if you don't want to use an agent (who's fees vary but I think the cheapest you'll find is around £150 total).

[absynthfairy]

Thanks folks - you've confirmed my suspicions. I already stalk gumtree and the To Let section on here, luckily I'm not in a particular rush so I can afford to be choosy - here's to finding another lovely private landlord!

[bowood]

Hi

You could also try easyroommate.co.uk and spareroom.co uk - both good sites for finding private landlords. A credit check costs about £10 each - an agent/landlord would want to add something to that - afterall they are a business and have overheads to pay. However, it should surely be reasonable? I also fail to understand why anyone would want to run a credit check on someone under 18 - as, I don't think that they can legally enter into a credit arrangement? They certainly can't legally sign a tenancy agreement.

PS Junction Road newsagent on Hunter's Bar roundabout and the newsagents and post office on Sharrowvale Road are good places to find private landlords.