How do you find a (good!) letting agent

[Snorkerz]

If he does not that's a red flag.

I agree......

[Losos]

This is developing into an interesting thread, I'm taking notes

[Lawcruncher]

I see the site referred to above says this:

Can landlords see references which were provided to the letting agents?

The agent can pass this information to the landlord, as long as, when the reference is asked for, they make clear to the tenant and the referee that this will happen.

I should be interested to know how that is derived from the Data Protection Act.

[jjlandlord]

Yes, LC. That's why we were discussing about asking for T's permission before sharing information with LL.

My (un-expert) understanding is that the agent and the landlord are basically one with respect to dealing with the tenant, so that there's no such requirement.
But it can be seen as a best practice to inform a prospective tenant about that.

[Losos]

jjlandlord - As you can see from my original question I am no expert either but it seems down right daft for the Data Protection Act to restrict Landlord from seeing references. However as you say there can be no harm in informing the tenant that both LA and LL will see the references. The world must have gone completely mad if the Data Protection laws prohibit that

[Polar Property Services]

I would try and get recommendations from other landlords. Our business grew by landlords refering us to their friends.

I have been contacting various letting agents in the area where I want to rent out my house. They are answering my questions, but what I really need are landlords opinions on the good, and not so good agents. The area is West Suffolk / Norfolk, specifically Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Mildenhall, Thetford (OK Newmarket is technically Cambridgeshire but it's often thought of as Suffolk!!)

Any Landlords with knowledge of these areas please post here, anomity guaranteed

[LesleyAnne]

I would try and get recommendations from other landlords. Our business grew by landlords refering us to their friends.

And the forum here grew by members reading and understanding the rules that posting advertising your own business or services is not allowed!

(Already reported member to mods re their blatant advertising in another post)!

[Lawcruncher]

The opinion here is worth reading - not least because I think we would all agree with it!