1. Letting agents are unregulated
Yes, anyone can set up as a letting agent. There are no exams to pass, no regulations to comply with. So that letting agent with the fancy web-site and all the talk could be completely inexperienced, know virtually nothing about landlord and tenant law, and have no professional indemnity insurance.
Some agents are regulated but this is voluntary. But if at all possible it is best to choose one of these. The organisations are:
•The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) – www.arla.co.uk
•The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – www.rics.org
•The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) – www.nalscheme.co.uk
•The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) – www.naea.co.uk
It is also good if they are registered with the Property Ombudsman (TPO) – www.tpos.co.uk