9 Crown Row, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 0TH
Helen Thring
Marketing & Operations Manager
Helen is Nick’s sister and she successfully set up and established our Lettings Department back in 2013. Having spent much of her career prior to DY working in marketing, Helen now heads up our Marketing & Operations department. This suits her organisational skills, creativity and keen eye for detail perfectly! She loves taking long walks with her Labrador Finn and when time permits, travelling and visiting new places around the globe.
Top of my bucket list is…
To keep travelling, visit more new countries and ultimately, one day explore Europe in a (very comfortable!) camper van.
My guilty pleasure…
Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. Probably best to just not buy it!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Less shy/more confident. Still working on it…
If I were a superhero, my superpower would be…
To help find a cure for cancer and dementia. Here’s hoping.
On Sunday morning, you can usually find me…
Up bright and early for a long dog walk in the countryside.
You might be surprised to know that…
One of my earliest qualifications as a teenager was as a Clarks trained shoe fitter. Ohh, all those back to school shoes!
27 Jul 2021
If your letting agent is delivering sloppy service or hitting you up for extra fees, then it’s time to think about switching.
Many landlords mistakenly think changing agents is a messy and complicated process, but it’s relatively simple.
Why change?
Most landlords switch because they’re unhappy with the level of service they’re getting from their agent.
It’s time to consider switching if:
- You find yourself doing more and more of the legwork when it comes to maintenance, repairs, and safety checks because the agent is disorganised or lazy – or both.
- The tenant is calling you because the agent’s not returning their messages.
- Regular inspections are not taking place.
Finding the right agent
Before you switch, do your research and look for an agent who is:
Local
Many corporate chains outsource their property management services to out-of-town contractors and have departments working out of a central office or call centre. Choose a local, independent letting agent instead – they’re best placed to keep a close eye on your property and, if there’s an issue, can be on-site in a jiffy because their team is based under one roof.
Accessible
Go with an agent who is hands-on and easy to get in touch with – they’ll be far more accountable than a third-party contractor who you’ve never met face to face.
Recommended
Check out their online reviews on the likes of Google, allAgents and Facebook. An agent who goes the extra mile for their clients and is rewarded with great feedback and recommendations should surely be your first choice!
Committed to using local tradespeople
Local plumbers, electricians, and gas engineers will be more likely to work to a high standard as they have a reputation in the area to protect. Avoid agents who use contractors from further afield and charge commission on contractors’ fees.
What does switching involve?
1) Read through the contract you have with your agent and understand your notice period and any other restrictions you need to be aware of. Many landlords find it easiest to switch when a tenancy is ending or up for renewal.
2) Serve notice in writing to your letting agent. Instruct your agent to release all tenancy documents – such as electrical and gas safety certificates – to your new agent.
3) Instruct your existing letting agent to release the deposit to the new agent.
4) Notify your tenant about the change and give them the details of the new agent.
And that’s it! A few simple emails and you can be on the road to a less stressful, more successful landlord/letting agent relationship. Your new letting agent will keep a check to ensure all the right documentation arrives, and then you can rest easy.
For more information about our award-winning lettings services, get in touch with us here at Duncan Yeardley.
Get in touch