1) One of my friends has just chosen an agent who gave a warm and sympathetic service, answering email queries promptly. What did the other agents do wrong? He had problems were about the quality and speed or communication, as well as price of service. If you are overseas and going for management as well as rental you need somebody who answers emails as you cannot pop into their office and chase them.
2) Regarding management price, one agent told a landlord partnership they needed new carpet and called in a carpet/laminate company. The carpet and service price they were charging was a lot more than three other sources.
The agent said the carpet shop was dearer but most reliable. However, the shop did not have the choice and display of carpet and lino. The cost would have been several thousand.
I found a cheaper carpet shop.
The agent said she would not bring any more tenants to view as they were put off by the carpet. So the landlord moved back from his flat (which has laminate in bedrooms, hall, bathroom and guest toilet) and rented out the other property in another area
The agent claimed they got no percentage from the carpet shop referral. The landlord thinks they did.
One agent's contract lists charging a management fee which includes however many visits they have to make and all trouble-shooting. Admittedly, the flat owner gets to veto or approve the extra cost of any outside purchases and services (e.g. plumber, new boiler, new certificate).
Another agent wanted to charge the annual management fee - PLUS maximum three callouts per year, after which they charge per callout.
A third agent wanted to charge for every callout, in addition to the management fee - purely for listing the property on their books.
My biggest mistake - not marrying the estate agent I met when I was a teenager.
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