Question for landlords

aliasojo

When you let your property, do you actively seek tenants or simply wait to see who comes to you?

We have registered with every letting agency we can find but wonder if it's worth placing ads in papers etc in case some people let privately.

Would a landlord take notice of a wanted ad? Should we be placing paid for ads in newspapers etc or is that a futile route?

junglejim2

I only deal with a letting agency.
Are you not receiving potential rental property from the agencies you are registered with?

aliasojo

junglejim2 wrote: »

I only deal with a letting agency.
Are you not receiving potential rental property from the agencies you are registered with?

Only unsuitable properties tbh. So far we've had a high percentage of properties 'just to consider' that are quite far removed from what we're after. (Quiet rural area & will accept a dog)

They say there is a shortage of the type of property we're after so I just wondered if we might increase our chances by placing ads ourselves.

taxsaver

Private advertising must by definition increase your chances, but as to how much by and if it warrants the cost it's impossible to say. Find out how much it would cost you to place an advert and then decide if you think it's worth it.

G_M

Either use an agency, or DIY. I wouldn't do both.

Since you seem a bit uncertain about what to do, can I ask if you are fully aware of all the other aspects of letting?

riva

I normally wait to be approached though if I were to see a well written ad (not dodgy), I may call up eg:

'Dog loving couple with/out kids, looking for x bedroom house with garden within x distance of 'place you want' with a budget of around xxx to xxx per week/month depending on property and location. Good credit rating and great references available.'

To me, something like that sounds genuine.
I would perhaps try a free portal first like gumtree (is it still free though for wanted ads?) for a couple of wks.

tbs624

OP - yes, try your own "accoms wanted" ads. Not all LLs use LAs and of those who do, some are reluctant and would quite happily cut out the middleman.

You could also try googling for a local LL association who may be able to offer you some contacts.

If you aren't already "seasoned" Ts make sure you know what to look out for by checking out the two renting stickies up at the top of the main HBR&S board so that you don't land yourself with a total amateur LL ( this applies whether letting via an LA or direct from the LL)

paul1964_2

aliasojo wrote: »

We have registered with every letting agency we can find .....

We did this when we first decided to rent and got very little response. I guess there are plenty of prospective tenants around so the agents do not have to do much chasing to get the tenants in.

We found the only way to get anywhere was to be more proactive with the agents - regularly check websites and ring them up every few days to see if they have any new properties coming in.

tbs624

G_M wrote: »

Either use an agency, or DIY. I wouldn't do both.

Since you seem a bit uncertain about what to do, can I ask if you are fully aware of all the other aspects of letting?

Think the OP is perhaps a potential T, rather than a potential newbie LL

aliasojo

paul1964 wrote: »

We did this when we first decided to rent and got very little response. I guess there are plenty of prospective tenants around so the agents do not have to do much chasing to get the tenants in.

We found the only way to get anywhere was to be more proactive with the agents - regularly check websites and ring them up every few days to see if they have any new properties coming in.

We have actually been doing that but we keep getting told the same thing, the market is slow, there's a serious shortage of family properties, people can't get mortgages so there are more folk looking to rent now etc etc.

School catchment areas narrows our choices down also, we don't want to move to an area with a poor school so are more tied than potential renters who have no children. I guess all parents are looking for the same thing.

Not to worry, I'm sure we'll find somewhere eventually.
If we just needed a 1 or 2 bed flat, there a plenty of those.

(Yes, we are prospective tenants btw. )

tbs624

Have you considered doing a leaflet drop in the specific area?