PatrickBender100
New member
Handing your rental to a property manager is, for many landlords, the difference between a steady investment and a second job. Late-night repair calls, rent chasing, safety certificates and inspections all take time. If you live elsewhere or simply have other things to do, a managed property can make life a lot easier.
Plenty of st albans estate agents list property management among their services, but the details behind the label vary a lot. Some firms mainly collect rent and pass matters back to you. Others take on the day-to-day running of the property properly. Knowing which you are buying is the key to getting what you expect.
What full management should include
At Gem Lettings, Full Management is 8% + VAT per month, plus a one-off £360 when a tenant is found. That includes everything in the Rent Collection package, such as monthly rent collection, chasing late payments, deposit registration with a scheme and rent review negotiations. On top of that, you get a dedicated in-house property manager, compliance management, arranging the legally required certificates, check in and check out of tenants, regular inspections, and arranging repairs and quotes.
Emergencies and direct contact
Repairs are where agents tend to be judged. Gem Lettings provides emergency repairs 24/7 and a mobile phone number, so you and your tenants are talking to a person rather than a call center. A client testimonial on their site from a tenant praises how quickly repairs were handled with other agents, which is the kind of detail worth looking for in reviews.
Why an agent still matters under new rules
Rental rules are changing. GOV.UK's guide to the Renters' Rights Act says landlords who use a managing agent will still need to join the new landlord ombudsman once it launches, and landlords must also register each rental on the new database. An agent who keeps up with this can walk you through it, which is a real benefit if you would rather not read the legislation yourself.
Is it worth it for one property?
It depends on your time and how well you know the lettings rules. If you prefer to stay hands-on, Tenant Find at 6% + VAT of twelve months' gross rent gets you a referenced tenant and a legal tenancy agreement. If you want the ongoing work taken off you, Full Management is the step up.
Questions to ask a property manager
Property management only works when someone reliably picks up the phone and handles problems before they grow. Compare what each package really covers, ask about emergencies and check the fee in writing. If a team is easy to reach and clear about what you pay, you can let the property run while you get on with your own life.
Plenty of st albans estate agents list property management among their services, but the details behind the label vary a lot. Some firms mainly collect rent and pass matters back to you. Others take on the day-to-day running of the property properly. Knowing which you are buying is the key to getting what you expect.
What full management should include
At Gem Lettings, Full Management is 8% + VAT per month, plus a one-off £360 when a tenant is found. That includes everything in the Rent Collection package, such as monthly rent collection, chasing late payments, deposit registration with a scheme and rent review negotiations. On top of that, you get a dedicated in-house property manager, compliance management, arranging the legally required certificates, check in and check out of tenants, regular inspections, and arranging repairs and quotes.
Emergencies and direct contact
Repairs are where agents tend to be judged. Gem Lettings provides emergency repairs 24/7 and a mobile phone number, so you and your tenants are talking to a person rather than a call center. A client testimonial on their site from a tenant praises how quickly repairs were handled with other agents, which is the kind of detail worth looking for in reviews.
Why an agent still matters under new rules
Rental rules are changing. GOV.UK's guide to the Renters' Rights Act says landlords who use a managing agent will still need to join the new landlord ombudsman once it launches, and landlords must also register each rental on the new database. An agent who keeps up with this can walk you through it, which is a real benefit if you would rather not read the legislation yourself.
Is it worth it for one property?
It depends on your time and how well you know the lettings rules. If you prefer to stay hands-on, Tenant Find at 6% + VAT of twelve months' gross rent gets you a referenced tenant and a legal tenancy agreement. If you want the ongoing work taken off you, Full Management is the step up.
Questions to ask a property manager
- Will I have a named manager and a direct number?
- Who handles emergencies outside office hours?
- What is included in the monthly percentage, and what costs extra?
Property management only works when someone reliably picks up the phone and handles problems before they grow. Compare what each package really covers, ask about emergencies and check the fee in writing. If a team is easy to reach and clear about what you pay, you can let the property run while you get on with your own life.