Like estate agents, letting agents don’t always have the best reputation, although of course many are fine. But they are also very expensive.
If moving in or out, read up on creating pet-safe gardens. And avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Hello Neighbour aims to make property letting faster, simple and more affordable. Landlord fees are fixed to save over half the normal fees, and is based in London, with over 2000 landlords on board and thousands of good reviews. Their tech knowledge lets everything be done online, from booking viewings, making offers, paying rent, logging repair/maintenance requests etc.
If you join the tenant or landlord club, you get more goodies (like furniture deals, insurance discounts, gas and boiler safety certificates etc). A typical landlord can save almost £5000 by renting through them, which doubles for renewal contracts, as they don’t charge tenancy renewal fees. Everything is online as cleared fixed fees.
A Non-profit Letting Agent
Homes for Good is a good example of a non-profit letting agent, to compare against the others. This is based in Scotland, but is inspiring.
Not only is this agency honest and fair, but it has an-house team of plumbers and other helpers. Plus tenancy support officers. So it will ensure your property is maintained, and make sure that you have all you need to afford to rent it, making use of financial help available. Here are two examples of tenants who have used their services:
One young woman was a single mother struggling with both depression and her finances. Home for Good took over the property when she was in arrears, thinking she would be evicted. But instead they put her on a repayment plan and got her houseing benefit safeguarded. They helped her decorate the home, and she is now studying at college, to get a good part-time job later in the year.
A young couple wanted to buy a home, after living in one of Home for Good’s flat for a few years. Instead of ‘losing the rental income’, they supported the couple on helping their dreams, and have now got new tenants, recommended by the couple they helped.
My Landlord Cares is a similar company. Founded in Yorkshire by a woman who was sick of heraing about ‘awful nightmare landlords), it promises fair pricing, honesty and help. It even helps to find trustworthy tradespeople for repairs.
This agency keeps prices low, by not subscribing to Rightmove or other expensive online portals. Instead, it works with local councils to find affordable homes for local people.
A Safer Stress-Free Move for Pets
- Search for several weeks before moving. If dogs don’t come to the office, you’ll want somewhere near to home, if you don’t hire dog walkers.
- A pet CV (with references from friends, vets and previous landlord) helps (also introduce pets to prospective landlords). Lets with Pets has good info (and pet insurance) along with a Good Practice Book for landlords.
- PetsLets (London) educates landlords and estate agents, to inspire them to allow pets. DogLaw has useful info.
- For a stress-free pet move, have friends/relatives look after them until you’ve moved in, and be sure to have familiar scents (pet beds, clothes) nearby. Not socks (they are choking hazards).
- Driving with Dogs lists walks near motorway exits, in case you get stuck in a traffic jam. Read rules and tips for train travel with pets.
