Letting Agents’ Services for International Students

A renting agent’s primary responsibility is to manage properties for private landlords. Responsibilities range from finding renters and collecting rent to full management and accountability. If the house you rent is entirely managed by a rental agent, you may never see your landlord in person (though you have the right to their name, contact details, and address).  There are various alternatives for obtaining accommodation for international students in the United Kingdom.

• Using a letting agency
• University accommodation
• Searching a private accommodation online

Business of Letting Agents

Letting agencies charge landlords money for these services, and as such, they are contractually obligated to put their customers’ best interests first. Tenants are also charged money for services and, in exchange, are owed a responsibility of care; at no time does this conflict with the landlord’s interests. In other words, a renting agency will not be able to provide tenant advice on any part of the tenancy that may jeopardize a landlord’s position.

Why Should Students’ Letting Agency?

Landlords who utilize letting agents do so because it makes their lives easier. If the home being managed is not in the same area as the landlord, a letting agency might be advantageous. A letting agent’s responsibility is to provide expertise, professionalism, and efficiency to the table. Furthermore, whether you’re a seasoned landlord with a huge portfolio or a young landlord just getting started, letting agents may provide a lot of peace of mind and assistance. If you’re uncertain about the legalities and compliance obligations of being a landlord, this might be very helpful.

Tenants’ Benefit

Most renters are only concerned with finding the perfect house; however, it is also critical to choose the right renting agency. A little planning and study may go a long way toward avoiding a bad encounter with a rogue letting agency. As an example, as a basic minimum, you should ensure that the letting agency is a member of a professional group. The National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS), the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA), and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) are all organizations that standardize a code of conduct that must be followed. When tenants’ rights are violated, the agency can be reported to the appropriate regulating body to assist increase standards and settling conflicts.

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Letting Agents’ Services

Letting agents provide varying degrees of service, so depending on how active you want to be in the property’s administration, there will be a service level that is appropriate for you. They are required by law to post their service level fees in branches and on their website so that customers may compare rates across other agencies. Although each agent is unique, the following are the basic services that most will employ.

• Find Out Tenant: This is the most basic level of service, in which the rental agent will locate you a suitable renter. This normally requires taking professional images, designing floor plans, and advertising them in places where they will receive the greatest attention.
• Collect the Rent: Rent collection may be included as part of the tenant location service in some cases. The renting agency will collect the deposit and manage the legal obligations for deposit protection, as well as collect the rent from the renter. They will also pursue down any rent arrears, serve notifications, and advise you if renters continue to fail to pay rent.
• Manage the Property: The rental agency manages all elements of letting your property, including the services provided for tenant find and rent collection. Throughout the tenancy, they will communicate with the tenant, organizing maintenance, inspections, check-in, check-out, and any deposit disputes.

Documents Needed for International Students

Documents overseas students need to submit are as followed:

• Passport must be current (we will need to view the original document 28 days before your tenancy start date). The right to rent is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom.
• Visa is still valid (we will need to view the original document 28 days before your tenancy start date). The right to rent is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom.
• 3 months’ worth of bank statements — from the account where you pay your rent.
• Proof of address must be dated within three months of the commencement date of the tenancy. It must include an issue date.

In the end, if you’re a student searching for a place to live in London, the first step is to locate a student landlord who has a suitable property. You can also contact your institution, which may be able to identify student landlords and housing providers that fit your requirements.