1) ONLY USE A N.A.L.S. REGISTERED AGENT
An agent who is a member of The National Approved Lettings Scheme is one which has audited clients accounts each year and holds bonding insurance which protects all client monies - from deposits to rental incomes.
2) INSIST ON 100% ACCOMPANIED VISITS
A big part of a Letting Agent's job is to carefully consider prospective tenants - which means accompanying ALL viewings. A good agent's gut judgement on someone - prior to referencing - will be very accurate when dealing with prospective tenants day in day out.
3) PAY FOR YOUR PROPERTY TO BE FULLY MANAGED
An established agent's knowledge of law and letting can save thousands of pounds - and a lot of stress! It is only when you come up against a problem will an established agent come into his own - because, generally, an established agent has dealt with all sorts of scenarios and situations several times over. Sealeys include rent and legal protection insurance on managed properties (speak to us for full details).
4) TO LET BOARDS
Only one per property is allowed (or two, back to back). If you have more than two agents letting your property (you should not need to) and a third agents turns up whose board is not there, it makes a landlord seem desperate and tenants will wonder why the property has not been let, with so many agents involved!
5) GET YOUR CHECKS DONE
Ensure that you get gas and electric checks done well before someone is about to move in. Remedial works can delay someone moving in and they could go elsewhere.
6) PRESENTATION
Potential tenants will not shortlist your property or consider paying your full rental if the place is dirty, still being repaired/repainted or even worse has damage "that will be fixed soon". Tenants need to visualise living somewhere in comfort because, at least temporarily, it will be their new home.
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Landlord Tips 
