Choose your lettings agent with care, says Connells

While local lettings agent Connells stops short of advocating more red tape and legislation, it does urge landlords and tenants to choose their lettings agent carefully.

“Due to restraints on lending and the difficulty of raising a large enough deposit, an increasing number of people have been unable to buy a home of their own and have been forced to rent instead,” says Selina Egan, lettings manager of Connells in Leamington and Warwick.

“Equally there has been a significant rise in the number of ‘accidental landlords’, those who have entered the lettings market through circumstances rather than choice, perhaps because they couldn’t sell a property and have decided to let it out instead.”

However, many of these ‘new’ landlords and tenants – and even those who have been involved in the rental sector for years - may be unaware that anyone can set up as a lettings agent, with no formal training or experience.

“They could be renting out deckchairs on the beach one day and become a lettings agent the next,” said Selina.

“These agents may be completely unqualified and have no knowledge of the complex legal and safety requirements, potentially putting their customers at risk.”

As a professional agent, Connells offers a wide range of services to both landlords and tenants including affiliation to the Association of Residential Lettings Agents and voluntary membership of the Property Ombudsman Service, and is a long standing member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. As well as a thorough professional tenant referencing service and a number of lettings specific insurance products for both landlords and tenants, Connells has, as standard, ‘client monies protection’ in place which ensures any funds paid to them are held properly and securely, giving both landlords and tenants peace of mind.

“We can offer advice throughout the whole lettings process from an initial market appraisal to suggest how much rent the property could achieve, offering guidance on the latest regulations, drawing up tenancy agreements through to finding the right tenant, checking their status and making sure the rent is paid,”said Selina.

To find out more about Connells lettings service contact your local office on 01926 428107 01926 428107, email [email protected] or call into their Leamington branch at 7-8 Euston Place.

Pictured: The Connells team in Leamington.