Location Location Location
don’t cut it as the sole criteria for tenants

For tenants looking for the perfect place to live. That’s because even the best positioned property can turn into a disaster if you pay too much for it or get let down by your landlord in an emergency.

The final point is particularly important in winter, because while high street lettings agents may have restricted opening hours and many private landlords may go on holiday, their tenants’ central heating or hot water systems can break down at any time. If disaster strikes and you cannot find anyone to authorise the repairs you will be forced to freeze it out and try showering at work until your calls are answered or to pay up for repairs yourself and hope you get the money refunded soon.

How much better to rent a property from a company with a single, 24 hour centralised service number so you can report problems as they occur. That’s the service you get from lettingagent.com, part of the award-winning Landlord Mortgages group.

Dealing with a company that streamlines the management of its properties in this way should also help avoid any problems when you come to move on. The postbags on the money and property pages of most newspapers are full of complaints from tenants whose deposits have been withheld when they leave a property, for example, with disputes often focused on un-refunded bills for repairs tenants had paid for many months earlier.

The final benefit tenants get from dealing with a customer-focused organisation such as lettingagent.com is the reassurance of paying the true market value in rent. Recent research by Landlord Mortgages showed that many letting agents mislead either tenants or landlords about how much rent should be charged on properties – often by up to 25 per cent.

So look beyond the obvious next time you are searching for a place to rent. And sign up with an organisation that puts customers first and knows how to stop property dramas turning into a crisis.

Blog Comment 1: It always pays to replace an old boiler. I have found that the cost of a boiler (£1000) can save you alot of hassle and actually adds to letting desirability. Experienced tenants have had countless problems with old boilers and see a new boiler as a great reason to take your property. I say boiler should be at the top of your 'to do' list or preferably your 'just done' list!!!

Blog Comment 2: LettingAgent.com are charging Let Only from 3% with no sole agency. Seems easy to list properties.

Blog Comment 3: I have seen the Landlord Mortgages rental yield release on another page on this website. It makes interesting reading...maybe good idea to run a new report.

Blog Comment 4: Interesting that Letting Agents are reluctant to give back money!!!!!!

Blog Comment 5: I think letting agents and landlords are improving standards. Its getting very competitive and small investor are enjoying the 'doing up' property bit...so that natural enthusiasm is being matched by professional landlords whether they like it or not.

Blog Comment 6: I find Letting Agents are good are signing up the tenants but tend to go downhill from that initial sign up. This service should work given that administrating is a big part of the business.