What am I paying the letting agent for?

[midiman]

My tenants moving out, so I now have the chance of going with another agency.

I think I'm going to use UPad.

[mind the gap]

My tenants moving out, so I now have the chance of going with another agency.

I think I'm going to use UPad.

Yes...............................and?

[isabella]

Hi. We have just used Upad, very pleased with service. There are cheaper and free online agents available - free to the landlord and I assume they charge the prospective tenant.

What I like about Upad is you can pay for extras like inventories, etc, so you have flexibility to do some things yourself.

Here is a list of everything you need to do to prepare for a new letting. I'm sure I've missed a few things!


decide on rent/deposit/furniture/available dates

update building insurance to unoccupied if needed

EPC cert
gas safety test
electrical tests

take photographs

advertising, using Upad or other

viewings

decide on type of tenant, eg housing benefit/pets or not

credit checks/referencing

inventory

photographs

write tenancy agreement

give bank account detail to tenants

cut keys and consider changing locks

Moving in:
agree inventory/agree tenancy agreement

change over of gas/electric/water/council tax

take photos of meters

protect deposit and give prescribed information

update insurance policy if needed

[midiman]

Thanks Isabella.

Updad are still not cheap.

I don't need the full letting package.

What I want from them is to help me with my AST and deal with all the deposit and money handling.