Letting Agents

[Ron Manager]

Can anyone recommend a good lettings agent in the Southend area? Looks like my sister may be moving out of our house in Westcliff and we'll need to re-let it to someone else. Obviously being over on the other side of the world makes it difficult for us to manage it ourselves so need a decent agency to deal with that for us.

Thanks in advance to the wonderful SZ community and the great responses I'll get (even the sarcastic or funny ones will still brighten my day) ;)

 

[Hotman]

depending on how many contacts you have in the area, could you self-manage it?

 

[jassyfa1]

Do not have anything to do with Jasmine's on London Rd by Hamlet Court Road. Trust me I use to work there and if you wanted to view a property you got to view it once and once only, if you didn't have the deposit and the month rent in advance when you wanted to view the property then you didn't get to see it. And they were more than happy to more than one deposit put down on a property.
Wonder how they made any money, easy, if it was his property none of the above counted and we had to bend over backwards to sell his property

 

[TrueBlue]

Pace on Southchurch road

 

[Ron Manager]

depending on how many contacts you have in the area, could you self-manage it?

Parents are still in the area but to be honest I'd rather use an agency. Not fair to ask my folks really and the money paid will be worth it to take much of the hassle away.

 

[Pubey]

Martin & co

 

[Napster]

Not Nortons, who we had a nightmare with. Personally, I'd let privately if I could in the SS1 area.

 

[Smiffy]

Pace on Southchurch road

Avoid them like the plague.

They charge silly fee's/deposits and rents.

I would recommend Brown & Brand. Had a couple of rented properties from them in the past, all of good standard and they are very friendly and helpful.

As mentioned already, go private if you can.

 

[Ron Manager]

Well, if anyone wants to rent a 3 bed terrace house on Westborough Road about 10-15 minutes staggering away from The Spread Eagle then let me know.....then I might let it privately to you!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Jubilee property services in Rayleigh Rd, Eastwood

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

As said previously, if you can arrange to rent it out yourself privately, do it.

If you really can't, though, a mate of mine rents hers out through Host Property, on London Road next to Westcliff library. She's happy enough with them, says they sort out getting the rent and getting repair men in if needed for her.

 

[DTS]

As a landlord myself of a few places do it yourself. Surely your sister in law can vet the tenants for you. Letting agents agents are always useless. They will refer every problem to you and take 15% for the privledge.

 

[undercovershrimper]

Letting Agents are all ***** end off.

 

[marvel315]

Do not have anything to do with Jasmine's on London Rd by Hamlet Court Road. Trust me I use to work there and if you wanted to view a property you got to view it once and once only, if you didn't have the deposit and the month rent in advance when you wanted to view the property then you didn't get to see it. And they were more than happy to more than one deposit put down on a property.
Wonder how they made any money, easy, if it was his property none of the above counted and we had to bend over backwards to sell his property

used to work there to, and this is 110% correct

 

[BrettieAngell]

Letting Agents are all ***** end off.

What he said!

Can't wait to move into our new place next month, no estate agents to deal with! :)

 

[ESG]

Essex Countryside in Leigh Broadway are very good.

www.essexcountryside.com

 

[The Big Shrimp]

I rent my flat out through 1st Call on Woodgrange Drive & have had very little trouble with them & have found them to be very helpful.

Dan the owner is a sharp & shrewd guy. He realises, as do his staff that if the Landlord is unhappy, he will go elsewhere. I had one little problem (a minor gripe) & had a word with him & it was sorted immediately.

Also, negotiate the fees & see what other agents will charge you & any agent will match it if they want your business.

PM me & I will tell you a bit more, if you wish!

Good luck!

 

[Hotman]

As a landlord myself of a few places do it yourself. Surely your sister in law can vet the tenants for you. Letting agents agents are always useless. They will refer every problem to you and take 15% for the privledge.

As DtS said - definetely do it yourself. Even give her £75 a month for doing it - rather her than letting agents who will look to charge you and the tenant for everything. You really do pay them 15% for being middle men.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

As DtS said - definetely do it yourself. Even give her £75 a month for doing it - rather her than letting agents who will look to charge you and the tenant for everything. You really do pay them 15% for being middle men.

15%? I pay 8%, which considering what they do is more than enough!

Best bet, let them find the tenants, meet them yourself, if they are any good (your neighbours will soon complain otherwise!) do it your self in 6 months time!

 

[jassyfa1]

used to work there to, and this is 110% correct

How long did you last, I made it to 2 weeks which is apparently rather good for there. I knew it was going to be dodgy when I was showing off property within an hour of starting with no experience