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Lettings and Property Management

Residential lettings and management involves letting property to a chosen tenant on behalf of the owner and dealing with all aspects of the let from then on, including the legal and financial implications. Management, as the word implies, means undertaking the ongoing responsibility for a property, again on behalf of the owner.

As in residential estate agency, communication and organisational skills are vital. Your role will involve selecting responsible and reliable tenants, maintaining ongoing communication with them, and handling any problems that arise with the property. This in turn will involve you in liasing with a wide range of people, such as solicitors, plumbers, cleaners, gardeners and builders as well as your clients.

If you find property interesting and enjoy dealing with people, a career in lettings and management can be very rewarding and building up good relationships with property owners, tenants and others all form walks of life is a very satisfying job. It is a challenge career encompassing a variety of tasks.

Qualifications and training

A lettings agent needs to have more than just practical abilities. They must also keep up with any changes in legislation relevant to the lettings market and be thorough in the preparation of important documents such as tenancy agreements or inventories. The ability to communicate is a vital element of the job. Problems do arise and usually you will be working under pressure. Consequently, the job can be very challenging and is certainly not for those who want a predictable job or an easy or sedentary career.

Academic qualifications are again helpful and useful, although communication skills are the most important. The ability to deal successfully with all sorts of people while handling someone else’s valuable asset is vital. You will also need to be numerate and literate, and, preferably, computer literate.

The NAEA offers the Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management and the examination-based Certificate in Residential Lettings and Management. Both are open to practising letting agents and those just starting in the business. The NAEA also offers numerous short courses on lettings and management topics.

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