How easy is it to change letting agents? Many landlords will ponder this question at some time or another. The answer is simple: it’s easier than you think. Whether your agent has become unresponsive, is underdelivering on service quality, or simply no longer suits your growing needs, switching can lead to better property performance and peace of mind.
Letting agents play a crucial role in scaling your portfolio without burdening you with additional administration. However, not all agents are equal. If you’re starting to question your current arrangement, making the switch is straightforward when you have the right support.
Let’s take a look at each step of changing your letting agent.
Select Your New Letting Agent First
The smartest first step is to speak with a new agent before you do anything else. At Slater & Brandley, we often find ways to help landlords transition away from underperforming agents, even when they believe they’re locked into restrictive contracts.
A good agent will handle the entire transition process for you, removing the administrative burden and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. We’ll assess your current situation and identify the best path forward – often finding solutions that landlords didn’t know existed.
Review Your Current Agreement (With Expert Guidance)
Rather than getting bogged down in contract details alone, let us review your current agreement with you. We’ll specifically look for areas where your current agent might be in breach of their obligations – such as missing property inspections, poor communication, or failure to meet agreed service levels.
Despite what an agent’s exit terms might suggest, there are often ways to dispute these charges or find grounds for penalty-free termination. Every situation is unique, which is why we encourage you to speak with us about the specifics of your case. We can work out the best approach to transition away from your current agent.
Can A Landlord Change Letting Agents Mid-Tenancy?
Absolutely, yes. Landlords can change agents at virtually any point during a tenancy. The process is designed to be straightforward, and with the right support, there’s no reason to delay making a change that will benefit your property investment.
Whether you’re mid-tenancy or between lets, we can facilitate a smooth transition that protects your interests and maintains positive tenant relationships.
We Handle the Notice Process
Once you’ve chosen to work with us, we’ll manage the formal notice process with your existing agent. There’s no need for you to navigate complex documentation or worry about meeting specific requirements – we handle all the administrative details to ensure everything is properly documented and legally compliant.
Tenant Communication Made Simple
Informing tenants about the change is often simpler than landlords expect, and it’s something we manage entirely on your behalf. Many landlords prefer to maintain professional distance from their tenants, which is why we handle all communications directly.
We’ll provide tenants with clear information about the transition, including new contact details for rent payments, maintenance requests, and emergency procedures. This maintains the professional relationship you want whilst ensuring tenants feel informed and supported.
Ensuring A Smooth Transition – All Handled For You
The administrative side of changing agents might seem complex, but we manage every aspect of the transition process:
- Transferring all documentation including tenancy agreements, safety certificates, and maintenance logs
- Re-registering tenancy deposits with government-backed programmes like the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and updating tenant information
- Collecting keys from your outgoing agent
- Organising joint property inspections to verify current conditions and prevent disputes
- Obtaining written confirmation that previous responsibilities have ended
- Completing your onboarding process with clear agreements on services and fees
Best of all, we don’t charge anything for this initial handover administration work. It really is as simple as one call, and we handle the rest.
Next Steps: One Call Changes Everything
Changing letting agents is much simpler than most landlords realise. With the right partner, it’s genuinely a case of making one call and letting us handle everything else.
If your current agent isn’t meeting your expectations, there’s no need to continue with substandard service. The process of changing is straightforward, cost-free for the initial transition, and can dramatically improve your property investment experience.
At Slater & Brandley, we can offer a professional, no-pressure appraisal of your property and outline what a more proactive letting service could look like.
Contact our team today to discover how simple it is to make the switch. One call is all it takes – we’ll handle everything else.
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