How to Find the Best Letting Agent: Tips for Landlords

How to Choose the Right Letting Agent for Your Property

Owning a rental property can be a great investment—but let’s be honest, managing it all can be a bit of a headache, especially in today’s market. If you're a landlord looking to let or manage your property more efficiently, choosing the right letting agent is crucial. Whether it’s your first rental or you’re thinking of switching agents, here are some key things to look out for when deciding who to trust with your property.

1. Do They Know the Local Area?

You want an agent who truly knows the patch—not just one who says they cover it. If they’re not regularly letting homes in your area, they may struggle to price your property accurately or attract the right tenants. A good sign is seeing their ‘To Let’ and ‘Let’ boards out locally, or spotting their listings frequently when you browse homes online.

2. Check Their Online Listings

Most tenants start their search online, so first impressions really do matter. Take a look at their adverts—are the photos professional and bright? Are the descriptions clear and engaging? The way an agent markets their properties can make all the difference in the kind of tenant they attract—and how quickly they let it.

3. Are They Active on Social Media?

More and more people are finding rental properties on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok. Agents who are active and consistent on social media are showing they’re proactive and serious about getting your property seen by the widest possible audience.

4. Don’t Base It All on Comparison Sites

Agent comparison websites can be helpful, but they often focus too much on price over quality. A cheaper fee might look tempting, but it’s important to consider what you’re actually getting for your money. Strong performance, excellent service and local expertise are worth every penny.

5. Look at Reviews—Especially from Landlords

Google reviews are useful tools to see what others are saying. Pay particular attention to reviews left by other landlords—they’ll give you a much better feel for how the agency performs in terms of communication, professionalism and property care.

6. Ask Around

Sometimes the best recommendations come from people you already know. If you’ve got friends, family or colleagues who let properties locally, ask who they use and whether they’d recommend them. Word of mouth can save you a lot of time and uncertainty.

7. Have a Conversation

Nothing beats picking up the phone or meeting someone in person. A good agent should be able to talk confidently about the local rental market, give you an idea of demand, and guide you through what service level might suit you best—whether it’s let-only or fully managed.

Ask them things like:

• What rents are typical for homes like mine?

• Do you have tenants looking for this type of property?

• How do you handle referencing and compliance?

• What’s your process for handling maintenance and tenant issues?

They should also be well-versed in current legislation, safety requirements, and financial compliance.

Why the Right Letting Agent Matters

Choosing a letting agent isn’t just about filling a property—it’s about finding someone you trust to look after your investment, keep things compliant, and support your tenants properly. At Willmott & Lake, we offer hands-on service, deep local knowledge, and a modern approach that keeps things simple and stress-free for landlords.

If you're thinking of letting your property or want to switch to a more proactive agent, we’d love to help. Get in touch for a chat—we’re always happy to offer advice, no pressure.