Anyone used D.J Alexander lettings? (Edinburgh/Glasgow company?)

hieveryone

I'm looking at a few flats to rent and have come across one from D.J Alexander lettings, based in Glasgow/Edinburgh. Booked a viewing for next Tuesday but this being my first time renting I am mystified as to what makes a good agency and what questions I should be asking?

Also, does anyone know roughly what fees will be associated with using an agency? They mentioned something about a credit check, which to be honest I doubt I'll pass! (or do they just check that you have a regular income, which I do?)

Thanks!

googler

Whether good or bad, the owner picked the agent, and you're stuck with them unless you rent a flat from another agency!

You're not 'using' them, merely renting a flat for which they are the landlord's agents. There may be charges for credit checks, etc, but they're best placed to tell you what they charge.

theartfullodger

From "The Scotsman"

Published Date: 05 June 2007
A FORMER fitness instructor is to take over at the head office of Capital property firm DJ Alexander to free up the owner to lead the company's growth south of the Border.
Steven Currie, who started at the firm seven years ago after a three-year stint working in the fitness and leisure industry, is to head up the firm's city operations at its Dundas Street office, while David Alexander moves to London to open a new office there.


Mr Alexander is expected to remain in London for several years to oversee the development of the operation, having invested £500,000 of his own money to fund the expansion. Mr Currie, who previously worked as manager of the leisure club of the Capital Moat House Hotel and the Caledonian Hilton in Edinburgh, said his appointment had come "at an exciting time both for the firm and for Edinburgh".


He added: "Demand for rented accommodation is greater just now than at any time I can remember in the last seven years."


The company this year became the first Scottish firm of its kind to launch an office in Dubai. It has more than 3000 properties under management in the Capital.


DJ Alexander started out as a selling estate agent in 1982, but owner Mr Alexander soon began a letting service. Last year, he re-launched the sales side of the business.

They are accredited with Edinburgh council but then just about everyone is.

Anyone with an Office in Dubai must have had a tough time over past couple of years... (ah, bless...)

Dunno them myself...

Cheers!

Lodger

Jowo_2

Some advise tenants to stick with agents that belong to professional bodies to stay away from the cowboys - anyone with a suit and a mobile phone without any housing law knowledge or experience can set up as a letting agent as its unregulated.

RICS, ARLA, NAEA, ARMA, NALS, UKALA

A good letting agent, who serves the landlord and acts on their behalf, will not grant a tenancy to a risky tenant, such as an applicant with a poor credit rating unless they can mitigate the risk in some way.

hieveryone

Thanks, will look into some of those things.

It's not that I have a 'poor' credit history as such, but I did have bank charges that I am claiming back and I think it shows on my file as in a payment plan because I pay a certain amount every month while it is being held.

Where would I find out if the letting agency is registered with the above bodies?

Thanks again.

Jowo_2

hieveryone wrote: »

Where would I find out if the letting agency is registered with the above bodies?

The agents website may have logos/links on their websites which can be verified by the professional bodys own website. The latter often have searchable websites that list their members by area.

But probably only around 20 or 30% of agents belong to one.

googler

hieveryone wrote: »

Thanks, will look into some of those things.

It's not that I have a 'poor' credit history as such, but I did have bank charges that I am claiming back and I think it shows on my file as in a payment plan because I pay a certain amount every month while it is being held.

Where would I find out if the letting agency is registered with the above bodies?

Thanks again.

On their website, I would have thought - but I've just looked and can find no apparent sign that they belong to any professional body......
www.djalexander.co.uk

Failing that, in their window, or on their letterhead paper ....

As prev poster said, the professional bodies sometimes have a search facility on their own websites.

orangeslimes

I haven't rented from them - but when i was looking and asking around Dj Alexander seem to have an okish reputation - they are not one of the agents everyone tells you to avoid anyway.