How to Choose a Letting Agent: Why Landlords Choose Rettie

This is one of the most revealing questions you can ask.

A property manager with a manageable portfolio is more likely to have the time to communicate proactively, understand your property and respond when issues arise.

Ask for a specific number. It’s also worth asking how this compares with the agency’s wider average.

A higher staff-to-property ratio can mean more resource and time dedicated to each property.

When an agent charges lower fees, they may compensate by increasing the number of properties managed by each member of staff. This can result in a more departmental or “siloed” model, where one person handles viewings, another move-ins, another maintenance and someone else inspections.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach, but landlords should understand how it affects their experience. Continuity matters and having one main point of contact means someone gets to know your property, your tenant and its history.

Look beyond how long the agency itself has been established. Ask about the people who will actually manage your property. Experience and knowledge are particularly important in a highly regulated sector so focus on training and how the agency keeps up to date with changing legislation.

Regular inspections are an important part of maintaining a property and identifying issues before they become more serious. It’s also worth asking whether you receive a report or photographs afterwards, and what happens if an issue is identified. It’s important to ensure the person who inspects your property is the same person who ultimately takes responsibility for properties at the end of tenancies. This is key to ensuring an inspection isn’t merely a box-ticking exercise.

Landlords have a range of legal and safety responsibilities, so your agent should have robust systems in place to monitor compliance. A good agent shouldn't simply respond when something goes wrong. They should have processes in place to help prevent problems from arising in the first place.

The real test of a management service is often how an agent handles problems. The answers can tell you a lot about the systems and support behind the service. Give prospective agents some examples of things you fear could go wrong and ask them how they would handle such a matter.