If you are a landlord preparing to rent out your property, you may be wondering whether you need a letting agent to find a tenant. The short answer is no - many landlords find tenants without using a traditional high street letting agent, saving £1000s in the process. An online letting service such as letlaunch can help you get your property seen on Rightmove - and set up your tenancy from start to finish - while keeping you in control.

Do landlords legally need a letting agent?

No, landlords do not legally need to use a letting agent to find a tenant. A letting agent can help with advertising, enquiries, viewings, referencing, tenancy paperwork and sometimes ongoing management, but landlords can choose to handle some or all of these steps themselves. This is especially common for self-managing landlords who want to reduce costs and stay in control of the process.

What does a letting agent usually do?

A traditional letting agent will usually help market the property, advertise it online, deal with tenant enquiries, arrange viewings, negotiate offers, reference tenants and prepare tenancy paperwork. Some agents also offer full property management after the tenant moves in. This can be useful if you want a hands-off service, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you only need help finding a tenant.

What can landlords do themselves?

Many landlords are comfortable managing the tenant-find process themselves. If you have the time to respond to enquiries, arrange viewings and make decisions about applicants, you may not need a traditional letting agent. The main challenge is getting your property in front of active tenants, which is why many landlords use an online letting service to advertise on major portals such as Rightmove.

When might you still want a letting agent?

A traditional letting agent may still suit you if you do not have time to manage enquiries or viewings, if you live far away from the property, or if you want someone else to manage the property after the tenant moves in. Some landlords also prefer using a local agent if they want a fully hands-off service from start to finish.

When can an online letting service be enough?

An online letting service can be a good option if you are happy to manage viewings and tenant communication yourself, but still want your property advertised properly online. This gives you a lower-cost alternative to a traditional letting agent while still helping you reach tenants who are actively searching for rental properties.

1. If you only need advertising: You may simply need your property listed online so tenants can find it and contact you directly.
2. If you want to stay in control: You can speak to applicants, arrange viewings and decide who you want to proceed with.
3. If you want to save money: Fixed-fee online letting services are much cheaper than traditional tenant-find fees.
4. If you want help with tenancy setup: You can choose a fuller package that helps with referencing, tenancy agreements, deposit registration, and compliance.

What should you get right before accepting a tenant?

Finding a tenant is only one part of the process. Before a tenant moves in, landlords should make sure the key tenancy setup steps are handled properly. This usually includes referencing, preparing a tenancy agreement, collecting rent and deposit, dealing with deposit registration and checking that the property is compliant before move-in.

• Tenant and guarantor referencing, where required
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreement
• Holding deposit, rent and tenancy deposit arrangements
• Deposit registration
• Gas safety, electrical safety and EPC requirements
• Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm checks
• Inventory and check-in report