You may be interested in finding tenants to occupy your property while you're temporarily away from your home. Many people feel more comfortable hiring letting agents to manage their property for them. By hiring a professional to take care of their home, the homeowners don't have to handle typical tenant dilemmas.
Choosing a Letting Agent
A personal recommendation is always the easiest way to find a good letting agent, but if you don't know anyone who has used one, you'll have to look for one on your own. While you can go any “Joe, Letting Agent“, it's advisable to find an agent who is a member of a professional body or association. For example, members of the Association of Residential Letting agents (ARLA) have been operating for two or more years, have Professional Indemnity Insurance, hold separate accounts for their clients, and only take commissions from landlords (not from tenants). The extra experience and support of a large organization can't hurt!
Once You've Found One
Once you've established a relationship with the chosen letting agent, they will typically ask you to sign an agency agreement. This agreement generally covers the agent's right to let the property on your behalf and manage it during the tenancy. Make sure you read through and understand the agreement. Do not sign anything you aren't sure about. If you don't agree with a clause in the lease, let the agent know. You may be able to delete that clause before you sign. If the agent refuses to compromise with you, find another agent. You want a good, agreeable relationship with your letting agent. After all, he or she will be looking after your home while you're gone!
It is a good idea to compile a list of things you feel should be looked after during your leave. For example, if you do not want the tenants to use the wood burning stove during their stay, make sure you put that in writing, get the agent to sign and date it, and keep a copy for yourself.
Let The Agent Handle It
Once you have signed the agreement, and the letting agent knows what you want out of him or her, leave all matters to him or her. The agent doesn't want you continually involved with the new tenants or interfering with their role as property manager. You have hired this agent to handle these things for you... so by all means, let them do their job!
However, if you are incredibly unhappy with the way your agent is managing the property, then you may interfere. This is best done by writing a dated letter and sending it to your agent explaining the problem. Keep a copy of this letter for yourself in case it's needed for future reference.
It is a good idea to keep all documents and correspondence with your agents in a folder clearly marked "Letting Agents re (address of property)" or something similar. All letters sent to the agents should be dated and signed and you should keep a copy.
About the Author
Since 1989 dan the roommate man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com