UK Landlord Forum / Life

has anyone had any success in negotiating fees with a letting agent?  I am torn between self managing - to keep as much money as possible but also because we have large network of contacts to do repairs - or having the property managed just in case there's any hassle.  but I do begrudge paying 10% just to have any arising repairs passed on to me -if   the tenants are trouble free.  I am considering asking the agent to reconsider and maybe going for 5%  - any comments??

I have got an Agent down to 6% for a Fully Managed service before... but I didn't go with it because a) I detest Agents and b) I am tight.

So far I have not run into any problems that I felt would have been handled better by an Agent... and my Landlording life has not been devoid of problems, far from it.

I think I will try managing myself and hope for the best..might as well jump straight in..what can go wrong?  Im kidding , dont tell me !