So you’re finally out on your own! It’s so exciting to step outside the confines of your parents’ house and experience the big wide world for the first time. There’s a lot to learn, a lot to see, and a lot to come to grips with. You need to learn on the fly, and there are some things you must understand as fast as possible – like the ins and outs of finding a letting company to help you find your perfect home.

Whether you are a first-time renter or already out in the world of house-hunting but unsatisfied with the rental company you currently have, you need to know how to find one that will serve you well. There are many aspects to consider when you look for a home, and a rental company to help you find one. Well-known companies like tripalink are a good bet because they have excellent reviews and a successful record, but what aspects should you consider? We’ll share the lowdown of what you should ask yourself before you commit.

Do they handle the legal stuff?

As a tenant, you want to be free of dealing with all the legal ins and outs – you want your letting agent or landlord to handle all that! Though you must have a good understanding of the legalities of the property-letting world, for your peace of mind and safety, dealing with these issues should, on the whole, fall to the landlord. Ensuring that gas, building, and electrical safety standards are met is something the letting agent should state in writing in your lease that they will handle. You don’t want to be caught unawares by a failing electrical system, only to call your agent and find out that the issue is up to you to resolve. Reputable companies will handle these things, but avoid those that do not.

Check their customer reviews

Customer reviews are the most unbiased form of information about any business. Renters, in particular, will be open to sharing the truth of their experiences. If a renter has a bad experience with a company, they will share all the details in a review. It is true that in some instances, tenants are the problem and are merely blaming the letting agents for their own issues. You can tell if this is the case by comparing the number of positive and negative reviews. If there are more positive reviews by a reasonable margin, you can safely assume the bad one was an isolated issue, as these happen at even the most well-run agencies.

Are they tenant-centric?

All businesses exist to turn a profit; this is a cold hard fact of the capitalist economic system. That said, a good company places the customer’s needs before its own in as many cases as possible. In the case of a letting agent, this should seem like a tenant-centric approach. Green flags to look out for include easy access to relevant information, clear contract terms, and agents who display a willingness to address issues promptly and effectively. Contemporary living requires an attentive approach and agents dedicated to their jobs and tenants. If these attributes are not always present, the letting agent is probably not the best one you could find.

Are They Full Service?

If you’re renting from a property agent, you want to know that they handle all aspects of the letting experience. It can be incredibly frustrating to reach out to your agent for something only to find that they do not assist with your issue. It could be dealing with a noisy neighbor, finding out that you can only use certain pre-approved maintenance companies (if they do not already handle the maintenance themselves), or struggling to get your alarm working. You want to know that you can reach out to them about anything related to your home, and they will be there to make things easier for you.

Check The Costs

You want to know that your letting agent is completely honest and transparent about the fees you will have to pay. Costs will vary from agent to agent, so be sure that you ask the appropriate questions upfront and that there will be no surprises down the line. These are some of the fees that you should look out for:

  • Admin fees for every new lease or change to the lease.
  • Vacant property fees.
  • Agent commissions on renewals.
  • Realtor fees may be triggered should the owner choose to sell to the tenant at any point during the relationship.

If you aren’t sure if specific fees apply, always ask.

These are all the basics that separate a good letting agent from a bad one. If you’ve covered all these bases, you can be confident that you’ve found a letting agent who will take care of you!