Hi, do you have a knowledge of Landlord Tenant Law? From next year, letting agencies will have to be licensed by the government, and as such you will have to know what you are doing.I suggest you look at http://www.nfopp.co.uk/qualifications/de��You will also want to join a trade association - ROSEMARY P is incorrect, it is not a legal requirement, but this will give you a distinct advantage in the marketplace - ARLA is the most well known respected. http://www.arla.co.uk/As others have suggested - a year or two working in the industry would be a very good start as without all the necessary knowledge you could end up causing legal problems for yourself or your landlords. You can find plenty of examples on Yahoo Answers of the problems/distress incompetent agents can cause.
Letting agents in the UK are now required to be members of ARLA - the Association of Residential Letting Agencies. Check their website for information to help you set up your business.As an agent you have to market yourself in two directions - one to owners of properties who would like you to let them and two to potential tenants. As the managing agent, you can be caught in the middle of disputes.Good luck!
The best way to learn the trade is to get a job as a trainee letting agent with a firm of estate agents.There is too much to learn and too many pitfalls to list here. You could also look at the website below for an idea of the letting side. There is no shortcut other than a quick route to disaster. You have to acquire the knowledge through learning and practise. If you make a c*ck up you will be on the wrong end of a law suit before you know it.
Our letting agents all have letters after their names, try looking them up to see what they are and how you to could study for them. Nobody would let you be their agent if you didn t know all the rules, regulations and the laws related to this business.The letters are: FNAEA (honoured) FARLA. MARLA.
