Let me say right off that I tend NOT to use an agent to find my tenants, writes David Lawrenson.

I've nothing against letting agents per se, no special prejudices. In fact, I reckon they're actually a rather unfairly maligned bunch, tarnished by the effects of a few rogue operators.

As an experienced landlord, though, I feel comfortable going it alone. It helps, of course, that I'm close to my rental properties.

But it so happens that just this week I had an experience that highlights another angle on this subject - and that's agents who get paid for essentially doing nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Let me tell you what happened and offer a bit of advice into the bargain.