UK Landlord Forum / Life

Has any one used UPAD web site for finding new tenants,
on there PROPERTY LISTING ONLY,
as i thing agents fees are far too high so was thinking of giving UPAD a try...
thanks mac933

Yes, we have used UPAD twice recently (on two different properties).  Like you, we had begun to find the fees of high street property agents just far too expensive in the last couple of years. 

We used the property listing service only.  It costs £99 plus VAT, so around £120 in total.     There is a discount voucher codes button which you can try, that sometimes gives some money off that too.  For that service, you get listed not just on UPAD itself, but also eventually on Zoopla and Rightmove (takes about 24 hours to show through on all of them).  You take your own photographs, upload them, write your own write-up, pay the fee and they will email you when a prospective tenant shows an interest.

You meet the prospective tenants and show them around yourself, so you get a feel for them before setting up any agreement.  If you are happy and they want to move in then UPAD prepares the tenancy agreement and emails it to you, and carries out the credit checks (prospective tenants pay them a fee of something like £75 for this).

So far it has worked for us.  We feel we are much more in control of things, not being reliant on traditional estate agents, who can sometimes be economical with the truth. 

many thanks for your reply,
ive decided i will give UPAD a try i have got nothing to loose, and should save about £350 in fees
thanks again for your clear advice mac933

That was exactly why we went that route.  Better in our pocket than that of an estate agent.   

Agree with all your comments and have previously wondered why I was paying a letting agent ridiculous sums of money.

As an exercise ring any random letting agent and tell them you have a property to rent. Ask them their fees and they'll quote something like 10% of monthly rent + VAT or 1 months rent if it is tenant finder service. Ask them what you get for this fee and they will tell you it includes credit checks, admin and tenancy agreement (granted they also do a couple of viewings and help the tenants move in!)

Now phone another agent and pretend to be a tenant, ask them their fees and find out what the fee is for - you will be told the fee is for credit checks and tenancy contracts and admin!!! why are letting agents charging both tenant and landlord for the same service???

Anyways, because of the above and due to previous poor experiences I set up my own wee website, lovemypad, to help landlords advertise for free. It's a pretty simple concept, register and upload details. You get a Unique Property Reference and quote this when you advertise the property in your local press ie 2 bed flat to rent in Hull, £500 per month, visit lovemypad.com for more information, reference number 1-2-3456

Tenants get to see the property in detail, read a full description and contact the landlord direct to arrange a viewing if suitable. Much more information that a box advert in the local paper.

You don't have to use a box advert to make the concept work - we get plenty of landlords listing and lots of enquiries because of simple effective keyword techniques which get us close to the top of google rankings - there are a lot of tenants out there that want to rent direct from a landlord and avoid agency fees.

Finally, in terms of contracts, referencing, inventory service, deposit protection, landlord insurance etc we have a number of affiliates that provide these services - just click on the adverts and arrange it yourself. No obligation to use any affiliates.

In simple terms it is easy to manage a tenancy without an agent and it saves so much money. Our service is free to use so please consider using this next time you need a tenant.

I only use online letting agents, high street agents are so expensive. It just doesn't make sense to use them anymore.

I've used Upad a few times. It's my personal favourite of all the online letting agents. There is a 50% discount code for property investment project blog readers. You can get it from here: http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/how-to-advertise-your-buy-to-let-on-rightmove/

Good luck

Hi all,

If anyone wants to use an online letting agent, please check our online letting agents page: http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/how-to-advertise-your-buy-to-let-on-rightmove/

We get all the latest discount codes, and also special rates! A lot to be saved.

Quote from: propertyfag on April 17, 2012, 12:16:24 PM
I only use online letting agents, high street agents are so expensive. It just doesn't make sense to use them anymore.

I've used Upad a few times. It's my personal favourite of all the online letting agents. There is a 50% discount code for property investment project blog readers. You can get it from here: http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/how-to-advertise-your-buy-to-let-on-rightmove/

Good luck

Same, I only use online letting agents too.

Hi Guys,

We recently launched our new website for landlords, it's called OpenRent.

For £20 we will list your property on Rightmove, perform reference checks (at cost to the tenant), provide digital contract and signing, as well as process your deposit. We also allow for tenant and landlord feedback, and have some basic management features (more to come as we grow). We are a technology company looking to do away with the expensive, old world practices of traditional high street agencies.

We think we're offering real value, and would love your feedback (as well as to be added to the aforementioned list!) We featured on landlordtoday, and The Independent blog today, so are growing quickly, and would love you guys to help you shape our community from day one.

I hope it's OK to post here and think my comments are relevant - just let me know if that's not the case.

Regards,
Daz (co-founder @ OpenRent)

Hi there,

I am new to the letting industry and would welcome what Landlords would pay with regard to fee's for a) a tenant finder option which includes, credit checks, advertising, utility admin, contracts  and b) a full maintenance option which includes managing the property.  I would be interested in finding out what you would like an agent to do and charge for that.

I aim to be an independant letting agent in Hampshire (working with likeminded individuals) and as I have been a tenant for many years i know the dodgy agents to the good ones! (not many of the left!).

The main reason letting agents are used is because you dont have the worry when you are away on holiday, out of the country or getting on with your busy life. 

I hope to hear from any Landlords on this because being a business person I am in the industry to earn money but also to be fair.

Thanks

Paula