How to avoid shoddy rental agents

With demand for rental property rising it's no surprise that there's an influx of new rental agents cropping up, cashing in on the demand. But how can you be sure that the agent you are using is safe and trustworthy?

“Our advice is to always choose an estate agency that has a good local reputation and a history in the lettings market,” comments Mark Kennedy at Robinson Jackson's Orpington branch. “Robinson Jackson has over 50 years of amassed rental experience and a long trading history plus we're a highly visible brand not likely to disappear off the radar. Trust is a big issue when it comes to renting, especially as deposits are rising,"

"As lettings agents we want to give tenants and landlords complete confidence in us, so we have a number of safeguards in place. We follow The Property Ombudsman's code of practice, have entered a clients' money protection scheme run by the National Federation of Property Professionals and we have just signed up to SAFEagent -  a government endorsed initiative that lets consumers know, by way of a kite-mark logo, which estate agents have client money protection.”

“If tenants and landlords always ensure that their letting agent is a member of a professional body or can prove they have client money protection, this should provide confidence that they are working with an established and professional firm." Kennedy concludes.