Letting Agent
What is the work like?
Letting agents (also known as letting negotiators), let property on behalf of the owner.
As a letting agent, you would take responsibility for all aspects of the let, which could include:
- advising clients about the letting process
- setting up viewings and showing potential tenants around the property
- selecting responsible, reliable tenants
- preparing tenancy agreements and inventories
- making sure all aspects of the letting meet legal requirements
- advising on rents
- arranging for maintenance to be carried out
- working with a wide range of people, such as solicitors, builders, cleaners and suppliers
- handling any problems with the property
- keeping up to date with changes in the law related to lettings.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will usually start as a trainee and learn on the job. Employers are likely to be more interested in your skills and experience than your qualifications, although it could be useful if you have GCSE (A-C) or similar qualifications, especially in English and maths. Experience that shows you have customer service skills will be an advantage.
A driving licence is usually essential.
You can study for the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) Level 3 Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management before looking for work. This will give you the knowledge of building construction and relevant law which you will need in your job. However, you are likely to find your studies more relevant and possibly easier if you have experience.
The NFOPP qualification is assessed by multiple-choice exam papers. You can gain the knowledge you will need to sit the exams by distance learning or by attending a course run by a training provider, such as a local college. See the NFOPP website for details.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
If you do not already have the NFOPP Level 3 Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management you can complete this once you start work (see above for more details).
With experience you can also complete the NFOPP Level 5 Diploma in Residential Letting and Management. You can study for the Diploma in-house (if you work for a large company), by distance learning, or by part-time study at colleges.
Visit the NFOPP website for details of qualifications.
Where can I go for more information?
2 The Courtyard48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee letting agents can start on around £15,000 a year.
- Experienced agents can earn between £16,000 and £35,000.
Lettings agents often earn a basic salary, plus commission based on the business they generate for their agency.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You will usually work around 40 hours a week. This will often be between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, but you may also work in the evenings or on Sundays.
You will be based in an office, but will spend a lot of time visiting properties.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent spoken and written communication skills
- IT skills
- negotiation, sales and marketing skills
- the ability to make good working relationships with a wide range of people
- good market knowledge
- the ability to work under pressure
- good organisational skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could work as a letting agent anywhere in the UK.
With experience, you could progress to a management role, or move into estate agency work – see the Estate Agent profile for details of this career.
Vacancies are advertised in newspapers, or you can find details of companies that are recruiting by searching on the internet for ‘letting recruitment agencies’.
You may also find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
Estate Agency News
The Negotiator
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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