You can advertise and manage your property yourself, but it can be a lot of worry and hassle. Many landlords use an agent to market and/or manage their property.

Make sure you get written confirmation of the agent’s terms, conditions and costs for acting on your behalf before signing anything.

Most tenants look for properties through letting agents. Agents who are RICS members follow the correct legal procedures to find a suitable tenant.

In general, an RICS letting agent will:

• Advise on the current length of tenancy and rent to charge
• Advise whether to let out your property unfurnished, partially furnished or furnished
• Promote your property to potential tenants
• Handle the letting process
• Prepare the tenancy agreement (look out for the RICS Assured Shorthold Tenancy model).
• Belong to a tenancy deposit protection scheme to safeguard the tenant’s deposit.

Return to Letting a property.