Landlord guide
Are you paying too much in letting agent fees?
Full management fees in the UK typically range from around 8% to 17% plus VAT, so if you are paying above that band with no rent guarantee included, you are likely paying over the odds. Check what is actually included: rent collection, maintenance handling, inspections, and whether there are setup, renewal or exit fees on top of the headline percentage. Those extras can add hundreds of pounds a year without appearing in the quoted rate.
Look beyond the headline percentage
Agents often quote a low management percentage but add renewal fees, admin fees and maintenance markups separately. Ask for a full breakdown of every fee you could be charged in a year.
Common extra charges to check for
These add up over a tenancy and are easy to miss when comparing headline rates.
- Tenancy renewal fees
- Exit or termination fees
- Maintenance call-out or markup charges
- Annual inspection fees on top of the management fee
Compare like for like
Ask each agent for the total annual cost on your actual rent, including VAT and any add-ons, rather than comparing percentages alone.
Worked example
On rent of £1,500 a month, a 15% + VAT fee costs £270 a month. Caso Portfolio at 5% + VAT costs £108 a month, a difference of £162 a month, or £1,944 a year, before any renewal or exit fees are counted.
