Can a landlord advertise a property with two (or more) letting agents?

demorules

I'm currently living with my parents and about to move out into an apartment. I viewed a range of properties at the weekend just gone and I'm keen on one in particular - I am going for a second viewing tomorrow, with a view to applying to move in.

However, I've just had a look on Rightmove and have seen that the same property is now listed with two agents - one is the letting agent I met with at the weekend, but there is now another agent advertising it too. Is this normal? Is there anything here I should be wary of?

Additionally, if I do apply for the property and am successful, do both letting agents retain the keys? Am I able to change the locks?

Sorry if these seem like very basic questions - as it's my first move away from my parents, I just want to make sure I'm not tripped up by anything unscrupulous. Thanks very much in advance for your help, much appreciated!

Gonzo1987

The landlord can advertise with as many agents as they want. It's normal, maybe, the first agent hasn't had much success, so he's instructed another also.

Only an agent who is managing the let will retain keys, it depends on the type of let the Landlord has taken with the agent to as if they will keep keys.

BitterAndTwisted

A landlord can sign as many agreements with agents to find a tenant for them as they like. This just means that there could be many more prospective tenants competing with you for the same property.

There is nothing stopping you from changing the barrels of the locks once you move in, and any sensible tenant would do so. Who knows how many previous tenants or previous tenant's friends and relatives may have copies of the keys?