What to look for in a letting agent

There are a lot of letting agents operating on the south coast. Most of them will tell you the same things: competitive fees, fast lettings, excellent service. The challenge is working out which of them actually deliver.

The first thing to ask is who will be managing your property day-to-day. Many agents will win your business with a senior member of staff and then hand you over to a junior who is managing 200 other properties. Find out exactly who you'll be speaking to after you sign.

The second is maintenance. Ask for specifics: how do you handle a maintenance request from a tenant? How quickly do contractors attend? Who do you use, and are they vetted? The answers will tell you a lot about how the agency actually operates.

Third, ask about voids. What's the average time between tenancies for properties on your books? A good agent should be able to give you a number. If they can't — or won't — that's worth noting.

Finally, ask for references from existing landlords. Not just testimonials on the website, but actual phone numbers you can call. An agent confident in their service will have no hesitation providing them.

We ask ourselves these questions too. It keeps us honest.