Updated 28 July 2026 · Independent landlord guidance
Key facts
- Property management companies (letting agents) can find tenants or fully manage the tenancy for you.
- Service levels usually run tenant-find → rent collection → full management.
- Typical full management sits around 8–15% of rent + VAT; always compare the written schedule.
- In England, agents holding client money need Client Money Protection and a redress scheme.
- Compare at least three regulated locals — do not instruct on the lowest headline percentage alone.
Hiring a property management company can make life easier — but it costs money and the wrong firm creates more hassle than it removes. Use the tips below to decide whether you need one, which service level fits, and how to shortlist fairly. Thencompare agents by postcode.
10 tips to find the right property management company
1. Match the service level to how hands-on you want to be
Most property management companies offer tenant-find (let-only), rent collection, or full management. Tenant-find covers marketing, viewings, referencing and tenancy setup. Rent collection adds chasing rent. Full management usually includes repairs coordination, inspections, compliance support and day-to-day tenant issues.
2. Compare fees as an all-in annual cost
Costs vary by service and location — London and the South East usually sit higher. Tenant-find is often a one-off (around one month’s rent or a percentage of the first year). Full management commonly lands around 8–15% of monthly rent plus VAT. Convert every quote into pounds per year for your rent, including VAT.
3. Insist on thorough tenant sourcing
A good company should complete credit checks, previous landlord or employer references, and Right to Rent checks. Ask how many applicants they typically need before a quality let, and whether they already hold suitable applicants on their books.
4. Hunt for extras beyond the headline percentage
Common add-ons include inventories, check-in/check-out, renewals, safety certificate coordination, notice serving and contractor mark-ups. Some agreements also take a cut if you sell to a sitting tenant. Get every line in writing before you instruct.
5. Know what tenants can and cannot be charged
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (England), agents and landlords cannot charge tenants most admin fees (for example referencing or renewal fees). Allowed tenant payments are tightly limited — mainly rent, deposits and a few permitted changes. Your agent should already work within those rules.
6. Weigh local independents against larger brands
Smaller local firms often give clearer named contacts and faster responses. Larger nationals may bring bigger marketing budgets and more offices. Visit or call the office that would actually manage your property — organisation and culture matter as much as the brand name.
7. Ask how they will advertise your property
Confirm portal listing (for example Rightmove / Zoopla), photography and floorplans, and whether they have waiting applicants. Vague marketing answers often mean slower lets and longer voids.
8. Verify reputation and regulation
Ask other local landlords for recommendations, read recent detailed reviews, and verify ARLA Propertymark or Safeagent membership where claimed. Check Client Money Protection and a government-approved redress scheme (The Property Ombudsman or Property Redress Scheme) independently.
9. Get quotes from several companies
Shortlist three regulated agents near your postcode and compare services and full fee schedules side by side. Do not pick on price alone. If you later need to switch, check the notice period — often around two months, sometimes longer.
10. Test customer service before you instruct
Judge the first phone or email exchange: clarity, speed and whether they listen. Ask about office hours and out-of-hours repairs. Weak communication at enquiry stage rarely improves once they hold the keys.
