What this guide covers
The lettings process, laid out clearly
Letting a property and renting one both involve more steps than most people expect. This guide walks through the main stages, what each one involves, and what you need to think about at each point.
If you have a specific question at any stage, our lettings teams across Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Tring and Hemel Hempstead are happy to talk it through — there’s no obligation.
How it works
The lettings process at a glance
Seven stages, from first enquiry to settled tenancy.
For landlords
Getting a property ready to let
How a property presents online and during viewings directly affects how quickly it lets and the quality of applications you receive. It’s worth spending some time on this before we start marketing.
Clean the property thoroughly, deal with any outstanding repairs and make sure any included appliances are in working order. If the property is furnished, check that furniture is in reasonable condition and nothing needs replacing before a tenant moves in.
Property photography is one of the most important parts when marketing your property. We recommend decluttering, and clean the property the best you can as well-lit and clutter-free photos directly carry through to how the listing performs.
Applications & referencing
Finding the right tenant and moving things forward
Once an applicant comes forward, we carry out thorough referencing through a professional service — covering employment, income, credit history and previous tenancy references where available. We present the results to the landlord so they can make an informed decision.
We don’t guarantee that any particular application will be approved — that decision rests with the landlord. What we do is make sure you have a clear picture of each applicant before you decide.
Tenancy setup & move-in
From paperwork to picking up the keys
Once referencing is complete and the landlord has confirmed they’d like to proceed, we prepare the tenancy agreement, collect the deposit and register it with a government-approved protection scheme.
On move-in day, keys are collected and the tenancy begins. Where an inventory has been arranged, it provides a record of the condition of the property and its contents at the start of the tenancy, helping to protect both landlord and tenant when the tenancy comes to an end.
Ongoing management
How involved do you want to be?
Some landlords want to handle day-to-day management themselves. Others prefer to hand things over entirely. Our three service levels — Tenant Find, Rent Collection and Fully Managed — cover different levels of involvement.
With our Fully Managed service, we act as the main point of contact for tenants throughout the tenancy — handling maintenance requests, coordinating repairs, carrying out periodic inspections and collecting rent on your behalf.
Local lettings expertise
We know these areas and what’s available in them
Rental prices, availability and what you get for your money vary considerably across our patch. Our lettings teams are based in the areas they cover and can give you a realistic picture of the market.
If you’re unsure which area best suits your commute, budget or lifestyle, we’re happy to talk it through before you start viewing.
Related services
How else we can help
Common Questions
What landlords ask us most
