LettingaProperty Review – Should You Go With The Competition?

As the name suggests, LettingaProperty is an online letting agency that helps landlords find reliable renters for their property. Similar to many other UK agencies, LettingaProperty also offers a property search feature for tenants looking for the perfect place to call home. 

Keep reading for our honest, transparent LettingaProperty review so you can make an informed decision about your plans and investments. 

LettingaProperty at a Glance

Our Ratings Explained in More Detail

Now, let’s take a closer look at why LettingaProperty received these mid level ratings based on first-hand experience, customer reviews, and recently published news articles about the company. 

Fees

Compared to OpenRent, one of the biggest online letting agencies, LettingaProperty fees are fairly high for what you get.

For example, OpenRent offers light advertising for free. While this only provides 3 months of free advertising on OpenRent, free advertising is free, and any exposure to your property is beneficial. Ultimate Advertising on OpenRent, which includes portal advertising starts at just £49 for three months plus VAT.

To find a tenant, lettingaproperty.com will charge £199!

The basic plan on LettingaProperty starts at £79 per month plus an additional £199 in set up fees. 

For management, with a property renting out for £2,000, you’d be paying £139 per month and £199 in set up fees. That’s 7% of the monthly rent, quite substantial for an online agent.

If you consider landlords up north, this % paints a worse picture. If you’re charging £1,000 in rent, your fee using Lettingaproperty would be 15.9%. Considering you need to do viewings yourself and pay for photography, it’s not a great deal in our opinion.

The most you’ll ever pay on OpenRent is £69 plus VAT fees for the Rent Now + Advertising package which includes advertising and tenancy creation. 

	LettingaProperty	OpenRent	High street
Fee	£199	£69	£100 pcm
Vieiwings included
Photography included
Setup costs?	N/A	N/A	N/A
Management included?	No	No	Yes

Not included in standard packages that landlords need to pay more for:

• Gas safety certificate
• Energy performance certificate
• Floor plans
• 3D Virtual tours
• Property viewings
• Property photography

Trust score

LettingaProperty’s reputation has taken a hit recently after a portfolio landlord claimed the website’s fee’s comparison page was “misleading.” The claim was issued to the ASA.

The comparison page is designed as a tool for landlords to compare different agencies and services before making a selection. According to Lace, LettingaProperty grossly misrepresented two major agencies – Purplebricks and Belvoir. Below are the comparisons Lace was given, along with the accurate fees.

Purplebricks Quote – £680 for tenant find and 10.5% for fully managed services. 

Purplebricks Actual Fees – £580 for tenant find and 8.9% for fully managed services.

Belvoir Quote – £1,200 for tenant find and 14.4% for fully managed services.

Belvoir Actual Fees – £275 for tenant find.

LettingaProperty’s Head of Digital, Andy Lacey, responded by saying, in part:

“We understand it can be difficult for landlords to make an accurate comparison of agency fees.

“This is partly due to inconsistency in describing letting services across the industry, along with the age-old tradition of showing fees exclusive of VAT, which contravenes ASA guidelines.

“In our experience, landlords value the clarity of our fixed-fee plans, which are inclusive of VAT, with prices remaining consistent nationwide.

“To make the basis of the comparison clearer, the page has been updated to show the criteria used and the date that fees were compiled.”

Services

Speaking of services, there’s no denying that LettingaProperty offers an abundance of support for landlords. From tenant find and rent protection to EPC certificates and inventory services, landlords can find almost everything they need on the site. 

However for the fees quoted, you may as well get a high street agent. The company’s Complete Package description states the agency will take 4% of all rent collected + £119/m. This is a huge amount compared to other online agencies that keep a minor percentage of the landlord’s rent or none at all. 

An unclear aspect is that the company offers property management services. Given the fact that it’s an online company, this is either false or the services are outsourced. The page lists “maintenance” as part of their property management services, but with no agents on the ground, offering this level of responsive care seems utterly impossible. 

Online Ratings

Overall, LettingaProperty has some pretty positive reviews. If you check them out on Trustpilot, you’ll see they’ve earned a 4.5 star rating out of 5. It’s important to note, though, that this only accounts for 272 reviews, which is quite a low amount as the company has 2,000 property’s under their umbrella. While 80% are positive, the remaining 20% are less than favorable.

Other evidence suggests that LettingaProperty petitions Trustpilot to remove any reviews that are negative or unflattering. One customer reported having their negative review removed, even after they provided concrete proof of LettingaProperty’s wrongdoing. LettingaProperty also pays Trustpilot to use their content, which means the review site probably overscrutinizes any reviews that paint the agency in a poor light. 

Additional searches on other review platforms like Review Centre also show a fair amount of recent negative feedback about the company from customers. Of the last 10 reviews, 7 are less than 3 stars. 

Overall Rating

We’ve given LettingaProperty an overall rating of 7 out of 10. While it’s not the worst option for an online letting agency, it’s far from the best. high fees compared to its competitors and a low trust score are glaring reasons why OpenRent is the better choice. If you’re thinking of using an online letting agent, read our online letting agent guide to get a wider picture 

About Letting a Property

LettingaProperty was founded in 2008 and launched in 2009 by Director Jonathan Daines and his brother, Director of the Services Sector, in 2009. Since then, the platform has helped thousands of landlords and tenants learn how to use the property and get the most out of their experience. One impressive accomplishment to note is that the very first landlord to ever use LettingaProperty is still using the platform’s services to this day.

LettingaProperty claims to pride itself on offering outstanding customer service in the hopes of securing repeat customers and creating a base of loyal landlords and tenants.

In the past, LettingaProperty was recognized as a leader in the property market, receiving the Landlord Buy to Let Award for ‘Best Website’. The platform also won the Good Web Guide’s Property Website of the Year, which is one reason the agency is known for its easy to use and navigation system. 

LettingaProperty is a member of some of the most important organizations, including The Property Ombudsman, The UK Association of Letting Agents, Safe Agent, and the National Landlords Association. 

LettingaProperty’s main goal is to offer landlords quality service and options for letting and managing their properties at an affordable cost. In recent years, other, more reliable, online agencies like OpenRent have begun to offer quality services for more affordable prices.

LettingaProperty Customer Reviews

Now that you know what services and tools LettingaProperty has to offer, let’s see what real users and customers have to say about their experience with this online letting agency.

With only 300 reviews on Trustpilot, prospective landlords don’t get a complete picture of what the agency has to offer. However, on the platform, the company currently has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, with 81% of customers rating the company as “excellent”.

The company AllAgents, ranks and rates estate & letting agents. Although LettingaProperty’s competitors have a strong presence on the platform, LettingaProperty have no reviews or metrics which is quite strange.

Recent reviews on the reviewcentre don’t paint a pretty picture. The last 10 reviews commonly include negative comments about the company.

Positive Reviews on Trustpilot

• Emails answered promptly and accurately
• Professional and attractive adverts and photos
• Quick, clear, and concise instructions and outcomes
• Friendly and knowledgeable staff

Available Plans and Pricing for Landlords

When choosing a letting agency, the first question most landlords have is, “How much are the fees?”. Here are a few package and pricing options for landlords from Letting a Property.

Rent Collect Plan

This is the most basic plan available from LettingaProperty and will cost you £79 per month plus advertising fees. The basic plan includes the following:

• Tenant find
• Tenancy set up
• 2 x tenant references 
• Rent collection 
• Deposit registration 
• Holding fee service

Rest Assured Plan

If you want a plan that offers slightly more than the Basic Plan, you can opt for the Essential. For £99 a month plus advertising fees, you’ll get all the benefits of the Basic Plan plus essential rent protection and deposit dispute resolution. 

Complete Plan

The Complete Plan is £139 a month. With it, you’ll receive all the services offered by the essential plan, plus:

• Property management
• Maintenance reporting
• Property inventory and inspections 
• Complete rent protection
• End of tenancy advertising
• Mid-term inspection

In terms of complete rent protection, if a tenant fails to pay but remains in your property, up to £15,000 is protected for non-payment, for 12 months.

How It Works: A Guide for Self-Managing Landlords

Getting your listing in front of as many prospective tenants as possible is most landlords’ main priority. LettingaProperty helps with this by creating a personal dashboard where you can check and monitor how your listing is performing.

After creating an account, simply log in and create, edit, and then publish your listing on all of the main property portals including Zoopla, Rightmove, and Prime Location. LettingaProperty also offers photography services and a 3D virtual tour you can add to your advert. 

Find and Reference Tenants

Once you find a reliable tenant, it’s time to do a background check. You need to ensure that your prospective renters have the funds to pay their rent in full and on time. When you purchase any of LettingaProperty’s letting plans, which start at £69 a month. This includes an employment check, landlord reference, and a 6-year credit check.

Property Advertising 

These services are designed for landlords who need help creating an attractive, compelling property listing that draws attention and prospects. Here are the individual cost of services LettingaProperty offers. 

• 3D virtual tours – £109
• Floor plans – £99
• Hosted property viewings – £59
• Property photography – £109

You can also purchase premium listings on popular portals for an additional fee. A Rightmove premium listing will cost you £69, whereas increased exposure on Zoopla requires another £49 out of pocket. As mentioned above, LettingaProperty’s Find a Tenant services come with basic listings on Zoopla and Rightmove for 8 weeks, plus an online viewing organizer to scheduled upcoming visits.

Safety Checks

LettingaProperty offers several safety checks designed to keep landlords compliant and tenants safe. Here are your options, plus the associated costs. 

• Gas safety certificate – £99
• EPC (energy performance certificate) – £89
• PAT (portable appliance testing) – £89
• Electrical installation condition report – £179.00
• Legionella risk assessment – £149.00

Rent Protection

When you upgrade to the Complete Plan on LettingaProperty (more on this in a minute), you receive rent protection to guarantee you receive your payment every month, on time. This feature also protects landlords up to £50,000 in the event of an eviction or legal dispute.

24/7 Emergency Home Coverage

Maintenance and repairs are a huge responsibility for landlords and, sometimes, an inconvenience. Another feature of LettingaProperty’s Complete Plan is 24/7 Emergency Home Coverage. 

That means that if something major happens at your rental property, like a burst water pipe or broken furnace, the company will contact a qualified tradesperson at any time of day to make the necessary repairs. This add-on includes an unlimited number of claims up to £500.

Other Products and Services for Landlords

In addition to their monthly packages and plans, Letting a Property also offers individual products and services for landlords. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available.

Electrical Installation Report

An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a formal document that assesses the safety of the electrical installations within a property. Landlords must have a report done before moving new tenants in and once every five years. For an additional £149 (including vat fees), you can add this service to any bundle.

When you do, you’ll also have an accredited engineer perform a fault find plus diagnostic test. Engineers can also perform a PAT test at the same time which accesses the safety and functionality of all the property’s appliances. 

Gas Safety Certificate

Another legal requirement that LettingaProperty can help with is a Gas Safety Certificate. For a fixed rate of £69 including vat fees, a Gas Safe registered engineer will visit the property and perform an inspection. You can also add boiler service and receive all certificates digitally for convenient download. 

Energy Performance Certificate

Every landlord must provide their tenants with an EPC that proves the rental property is safe and up to electrical code. Similar to the EICR, this can be performed by a quality energy inspector for an additional £149 (including vat fees).

LettingaProperty uses cutting-edge technology to ensure your rental property is safe. They even provide advice on how to improve your energy efficiency. 

Landlord Inventory Services

For landlords renting fully furnished property, you’ll want to perform a thorough inventory check before handing over the keys. If the contents of the home are damaged during the tenancy agreement, you can legally keep the tenant’s deposit. An inventory report goes a long way in getting you the money and compensation you deserve for lost or stolen property.

The service professional will take photos and read all smoke alarms. You can also approve the list digitally. This add-on feature costs £99 including vat fees.

Property Photos and Virtual Tour

Speaking of photos, studies show that nearly 90% of renters and home buyers rely on photos of the property to make their final decision. This means if you want your listing to get noticed, you need high-quality photos that show your property in the best possible light.

For £109 including vat fees, you can not only add photographs to your package but also a virtual tour for safe and easy viewings. Landlords receive 10 high-quality photos that you get to keep and use however you so choose. You’ll also receive your photos within 48 hours. 

Accompanied Viewings

Not all landlords are comfortable performing their own viewings. If this describes you, you may want to add accompanied viewings to your bundle. This is also an ideal option for overseas landlords and property owners.

For just  £59 (including vat) a professional viewing clerk will assist you. You can purchase a single viewing session or a bundle of 5 which totals one hour of time. It’s important to note, though, that this option is only available if you sign up for one of LettingaProperty’s other plans.

Mid-Term Inspection

Also known as a mid-term report, a mid-term inspection means visiting and assessing your property during the middle of a tenancy agreement to ensure that it’s in good condition. A routine visit lets you check up on your tenants and make sure they’re caring for the property in a satisfactory way. It’s recommended that all landlords perform a mid-term inspection every 6 months. 

This can be difficult for many landlords, especially if your property is located overseas or far from your place of residence. When you pay £79 (including vat fees), an accredited clerk (AIIC) will visit your property and make sure it’s in good condition. This is especially helpful if there’s ever a dispute over the security deposit.

Check-Out Inspection 

When the tenancy agreement comes to an end, you’ll want to inspect the property again to ensure that it’s in acceptable condition before returning the tenant’s security deposit. This is especially important if you’ve let a furnished home or flat. 

Another report that’s vital for deposit disputes, you can schedule a check-out inspection for £99 including vat fees. Similar to a mid-term inspection, this is carried out by an accredited clerk (AIIC) so you can rest assured the job’s done right. 

Premium Listings on Popular Property Portals

Upgrading your regular listing on popular property portals can increase your views and clicks by up to 35%. For £99 including vat fees, you’ll receive a premium ad on Rightmove and Zoopla along with 4 photos on the search page. This will not only help you stand out from the competition but land reliable tenants, faster.

Portable Appliance Test

If you only need a PAT (portable appliance test), you can pay £69 to add it to your current plan or services. It’s recommended all tenants get this inspection done every 12 months. During a PAT, a professional inspector will perform safety checks on all appliances, replace any fuses or plug tops that need replacing, and perform both a visual inspection and an earth test.

Legionella Risk Assessment and Management

Legionella is a potentially harmful bacteria found in bodies of freshwater that can cause Legionnaires’ disease. In order to safely let your property, landlords must before a Legionella risk assessment and produce a safety report. It’s recommended you perform these checks every 2 years.

You can pay LettingaProperty £129 including vat fees to perform a full water system risk assessment. A professional assessor will visit your property and ensure that the water supply is safe to use.

Comprehensive Tenant Referencing

Finding the right tenants can be difficult and stressful. You need responsible renters who pay on time and treat your property like their own. 

The professionals at LettingaProperty will perform a 6-year credit check and check both employment and landlord references. Comprehensive tenant referencing is a requirement for any plans that include guaranteed rent. The price of this service is £49 including vat fees.

Tenancy Deposit Protection

When you collect a deposit from your tenants, it’s your legal responsibility to place it in a government-approved redress scheme within 30 days. Avoid the hassle and legal trouble by letting your agency take care of this for you.

Priced at £149, this bundle add-on includes registering your deposit with the DPS, sending a certificate of the deposit to your tenants, drafting the necessary paperwork, and collecting digital signatures. LettingaProperty also provides phone support when needed.

Tenancy Agreement Drafting

The tenancy agreement between a landlord and renter is one of the most important pieces of documentation you can have. It outlines everything from when the rent is due and how much it is to when the agreement ends and what’s considered a violation. 

For just £179 (including vat fees), you can ensure that the agreement is legal, clear, and binding. LettingaProperty will provide a watertight and up-to-date agreement that includes a GDPR privacy policy and guarantor agreements. Both you and your tenant can use digital signatures to conveniently finalize the deal.

To-Let Board and Installation 

As important as your online presence is, a to-let board on the outside of your property garners attention from those passing by and drums up interest and buzz within the neighborhood. Erected within 7 days of placing your order, you can pay £49 (including vat fees) for a quality to-let sign. LettingaProperty will also remove the sign once you’ve found a tenant and signed an agreement. 

Rental Valuation and Savings Calculator 

Before you even start looking for tenants, you need to know what your rental property is worth. This helps you advertise it properly and choose a reasonable rental amount. LettingaProperty’s rental calculator tool gives you insight into the value of your property based on its size, location, and other features. The website’s savings calculator helps you determine your expenses, overhead and projected income as a landlord.

Tenant Services

LettingaProperty also offers limited services for tenants. The platform helps match landlords with reliable, serious prospects. 

The main feature for tenants on the site is the search tool. Here you can search properties in your local area and sort by price, size, and availability. Once you see something you like, LettingaProperty will help facilitate the communication between you and the landlord. 

Tenants can apply for a property and track the progress of their application on their dashboard. If approved, you can make secure payments directly through your dashboard.

FAQs