Online Letting Agents

H0601

Hi everyone

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experiences with, or can recommend any online estate agents for letting? There seems to be a lot of information about online estate agents from a buying/selling perspective but not so much directly from landlords/tenants who have used them for letting

As a bit of background, I'm letting out my own home for a while and my main reason for leaning towards an online letting agent (aside from price of course!) is that I quite like the idea of meeting prospective tenants in person. I feel like I'd be able to answer any specific questions that they have about my house and they would also get to know me a little and vice versa.

Any good/bad experiences with online estate agents from renters or landlords would be much appreciated!

Thank you

Innys1

I've recently used Make Ur Move as they had a free trial on. I am a landlord.

Be aware that they will insist on an Energy Performance Certificate and proof of your ownership before they post your ad on Rightmove. They check your ownership via the Land Registry for you but you have to send them the EPC - or they do it and charge you a fortune.

As with all agents, the success you have with finding a tenant or buyer, depends on your property. If you're trying to let a dump, it will take ages, no matter what agent you use. Make Ur Move found me a tenant in 8 days - their free trial is for 21 days.

The free trial also includes tenant references, use of their deposit scheme and their contract.

I used the references - it was an okay service but I do wonder what a tenant had to do to be classed as "not acceptable".

I didn't use their deposit scheme as I am already registered with a different scheme.

I asked for them to adjust their contract slightly - 3 small amendments. They never bothered, even though I rang and emailed them. Instead, they sent me incessant e-mails reminding me that the contract was unsigned. In the end I gave up and used a Rentfair contract off the 'Net.

This is why I won't use Make Ur Move again - if it's a "vanilla" arrangement, they are fine. Anything out of the ordinary and they simply can't cope. Still worth it for a free trial, mind.

H0601

Hi Innys

Thank you for your reply!

As a landlord, have you had any experience letting through the traditional high street agent and would you in hindsight recommend them over the online estate agents or is there not much to choose between them?

Also, I assume that you conducted the viewings yourself? Did you find this to be a positive experience or was it a bit of a headache?

Thanks Again:)

AleMrsT

You can still do the viewings yourself with a 'traditional' agent. I would write a list of what you want the agent to do, and post it here, then we can tell you if it is 'worth' you having an agent to begin with.