Hi

I have a 2 bed property in Hull. My current letting agents [Whi takers], although very approachable and honest, need me to call them constantly before they will get anything done. The last tenant moved out 2 months ago having stopped paying rent the the start of the year, leaving the place in a total mess. My agents have only now got me quotes for the clean up job.

I contacted another agent [Larar ds] who are members of ARLA but their builder quoted me £2000 for the clean-up job, almost 4 times what Whitakers' people have estimated. I am guessing Lar ards will be getting a cut of this.

I contacted another two agents but I just did not like the sound of the people whom I spoke to.


- Can anyone recommend an agent in Hull who is efficient and honest?

I also have been looking at Lettingzone. The National Landlords' Association website promotes them. They offer a tenant find service for £59 and offer a full management service of 6% and will take on any property in England and Wales. They sound almost too good to be true.

- Has any one had experience of Lettingzone?

Many thanks.

Burt

Hi

As far as I am aware, lettingzone are only a website agency that links to other agents' websites and their contact details. It also offers paid advertising through the website (for tenants, etc). I cannot find them as a standalone agency in Hull. The website 'lettingzone.com' has been going for many years and is, from my experience, well respected within the sector - but only as an information provider and advertiser. If they offer a management service, it is probably through a local agency (bit like franchising). This arrangement could be less than satisfactory, if you happen to be appointed services from an inexperienced agent. I would ask lettingzone for much more information, before making any decision.

Cheers

Tony B

Thanks for your reponse Tony.

The Tenant Find Service and Managment Service offered on the front page of www.lettingzone.com is run by www.discountletting.co.uk . Tenant find service £59 and Full Management Service for 6% fee using one their of 300 agents in England and Wales.

It does sound good. I wonder how they can keep their fees so low. They have had some press coverage in the Telegraph newspaper.

If anyone has experience of www.discountletting.co.uk I would be interested to hear them.

Cheers

Burt

Hi

Much as I suspected, the management service seems to be outsourced, by the sound of it. The problem is, you probably won't know anything about the management agent provider until you have started employing them. This is risky, despite the fee being very attractive. My next question would be, what do you get by the way of services for the fee charged and are they as comprehensive as other agents offering twice the fee rate? I tend to believe in the addage ... there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Tony B

Have a look at Rob Bests auction newsletter for this week.

He talks about a new letting and management company with coverage nationwide. They charge on a pay-as-you-go system and don't charge commission.

To me it looks like a refreshing new approach for those of us who have suffered poor service from letting and management agents who take 12% of the rent for little work.

Peter

I managed to speak to someone from PDP Management Services, who manage the properties on behalf of Discount Letting. They do charge 6% for management of let properties but this is subject to a minimum of £60 a month. They say they have lower running costs than 'high-street' letting agents because they have no premises. They use agents who are are self-employed and work from home.

They do not get involved any in works that need to be done to property. You have to find and organise your own workmen. Also if you want regular inspections this is subject to a charge of £50 upwards per visit.

Probably not for me then, given my rent for my Hull property is under £300 a month. Sound very professional and trustworthy though. Maybe if I had a property in prime London I would take a different view.