Are All Letting Agents the Same? Here’s Why the Answer Is “Absolutely Not.”

Recently, we asked AI to generate a list of qualities landlords should look for in a reputable letting agent. The results were sensible - professionalism, compliance, good communication, solid referencing, transparent fees, and so on. And honestly, we agree with every point.

In fact, if you interviewed ten letting agents, at least nine of them would confidently tell you they meet every one of those criteria.

So… does that mean all letting agents are the same?
Do we all offer the same service, in the same way, to the same standard - leaving you free to simply choose the cheapest?

You might believe that if your tenancies run smoothly and nothing significant ever goes wrong. Many landlords choose on price alone and never experience a problem… until they do.

Because when problems arise, the differences between agents become very clear, very quickly.

When Things Go Wrong, the “All Agents Are the Same” Myth Falls Apart

1. Poor Negotiation = Poor Outcomes

A polished sales pitch does not automatically translate into effective negotiation when dealing with tenants, disputes, or deposit deductions.
If an agent lacks the experience or confidence to handle these situations correctly, landlords often:

• Wait longer to recover deposits

• Recover less than they should

• Lose leverage or control over the situation

2. Inadequate Referencing = Long-Term Problems

Sometimes issues begin before the tenancy has even started.
If corners were cut during referencing, or if you were not fully consulted before the tenancy was agreed, you may quickly find yourself with tenants who simply weren’t the right fit.

And the agent who promised you “perfect tenants” becomes much harder to reach.

So What Makes Iles and Jenkin Different?

Our service begins long before we sign a tenancy agreement - it begins with our values.

We don’t take on every property.

This surprises many landlords, but it’s one of the reasons our tenancies are so successful.
If we visit your property and feel:

• It is not being presented to a clean, safe, well-maintained standard

• You would not respond to maintenance issues promptly

• You may not treat tenants lawfully, fairly, and respectfully

…then we are not the right agent for you.

We work only with landlords who share our standards and commitment to providing good-quality homes. This benefits everyone - landlords, tenants, and our reputation as a premium, highly compliant agency.

We go far beyond the standard “AI checklist.”

Yes, we meet all the qualities any good agent should have - professionalism, compliance, communication, strong referencing, proactive maintenance, and legal expertise.

But we don’t stop there.

We offer:

• High-quality properties only

• Meticulous tenant selection

• Regular communication and clear reporting

• Strong relationships with trusted contractors

• A focus on long-term tenancies that work for everyone

• A landlord-first ethos - always remembering who our customer is

Our goal is to maintain your property to the highest standard and maximise the success of your tenancy - not simply to fill a vacancy and move on.

A Higher Standard of Letting Requires a Higher Standard of Agent

The reality is simple:

Cheap agents cut corners.
Average agents meet the minimum.
We exceed it.

And that’s why our landlords experience fewer issues, better tenants, and stronger long-term results.

Want to Know If We’re the Right Fit for You?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing more about how Iles and Jenkin supports landlords - from compliance to tenant management to protecting your investment long-term.

If you’d like to talk to us now about whether our approach aligns with your expectations, we’d love to speak with you.

📞 01934 512537
📧 lettings@ilesandjenkin.com

We look forward to hearing from you.