How to Choose a Letting Agent for my Holiday Let Property

What does a letting agent do?

And why might you choose to work with one?

A letting agent takes care of the nitty gritty of managing your holiday let. If you don’t live near your property, or you’d like to take a hands off approach, choosing a holiday letting agent might be useful.

Here’s what they usually do:

Marketing and advertising:

Holiday letting agents put your property on various websites and directories. Some of them also create professional photos and descriptions to help it stand out from the competition.

Booking management:

They often handle the booking process — from responding to inquiries to collecting payments and sending out confirmations.

And they might provide 24/7 guest support in case of any problems.

Property management:

Holiday letting agents can take care of day-to-day tasks involved in managing a rental property.

This means things like: cleaning, laundry, maintenance, gardening, and repairs. They can also coordinate with guests on check-in and check-out procedures.

Compliance:

A good agent helps make sure your property complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

This includes things like obtaining any necessary licenses, permissions, and permits, conducting regular safety inspections, and checking changes in compliance requirements.

The cost of using a holiday letting agent will vary depending on the services you need and the location of your property.

Generally, as of 2023, you can expect to pay a commission of 15-25% of the rental income on each booking.

Once you’ve decided on your expectations and budget, compare the fees of different agents. Ask for a breakdown of all the fees involved, including listing fees, management fees, and commission.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate.

So, if you’re evaluating potential holiday letting agents, here are the main points to explore.

Ask questions and get answers so you can make an informed decision:

How long they’ve been in the industry.
Whether they have experience with properties similar to yours.
Ask for references or testimonials from other property owners they’re currently working with.
Find out what marketing strategies do they use to promote properties and attract guests.
Make sure they’re clear about their services, fees, and commission structures.
How they handle guest communication, including bookings, inquiries, and issues that may arise during their stay.
How they handle property maintenance and cleaning. Find out who they work with. You’re looking for a network of reliable, local, professional service providers.
How often they provide updates and reports on property occupancy, bookings, and financials.
Explore their policies regarding cancellations, refunds, and disputes.
Find out whether they’re familiar with the local regulations and legal obligations for holiday let for properties in the same area.
When handling guest complaints or issues – make sure they’re supportive and helpful.
If there’s a situation related to a complaint, what level of support do they give you as the property owner?

A good agent will be happy to engage in professional, open communication about their company while you’re exploring different options.