This blog is all about offering a few top tips on how to talk to UK estate agents for both sales and lettings. As a former estate agent, property search agent and now Founder of Pets Lets, I have over 25 years’ experience in the UK property market.

Whether you are renting with a pet or not, this advice will help you be taken more seriously by estate agents. It will also improve your chances of ‘beating off the competition’ when it comes to securing a rental property or buying your home.

Click here to read more.

You don’t want to waste your time looking at a property, unless you can move in with your pets. Should be simple. Yet, many estate agents are not sure, want to get you through the door, make an offer and then you’ll find out. How does that make sense? When you look through the UK property portals, some state ‘pets allowed’. However, when you call the estate agents, they say no.

The other issue is some landlords are very specific about allowing pets in their rental properties. Some specify only a house cat or a small dog. Something you cannot tell from looking at a property portal. From our experience at Pets Lets, there is no rhyme or reason, it is a personal choice by the landlord. We even had a landlord say yes to a client with a Great Dane as their 1-bedroom flat was by a park.

This may well change with the proposed 2023 The Renters Reform Bill. Click here to read more.

London is the fourth most expensive city in the world. New York tops the list and Geneva is the most expensive European city. According to recent figures by City Hall, Londoners are spending 40% of their salaries on rent.

Londoners can expect to pay £133 more than the current average of £2,567 calculated by Rightmove. With interest rates also rising, both renting and buying in the Capital is becoming increasingly unrealistic.

Last year, 40% of renters leaving home, chose not to move to London. With a large number of people still working from home, it makes sense to live somewhere more affordable, where you can have a separate office space in your own home.

Very few build to rent developments, that offer extra amenities including work spaces and gyms, are less than £2000 per month. Many of them are further out. Which begs the questions, why not leave London. Click here to read more.

With a competitive UK rental market, using a relocation agent is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. They act as a broker. They offer local knowledge as well as property expertise. They represent their clients and will honestly advise on the pros and cons of a property. People forget that an estate agent represents the landlord and some can be more about getting the ‘deal’ done.

At Pets Lets, we specialise in clients relocating with their pets to the UK. When there is more than one pet or a large dog, you would be surprised how many landlords suddenly say no to renting with pets. Click here to read more.

At Pets Lets we have over 25 years experience working in the UK rental market. Even though private landlords don’t have the best ‘reputation’ with tenants, they are a necessity in modern day society as well as the UK economy.

Private landlords are essential to ensure the supply of rental homes can keep up with rising demand. The number of council homes in the UK has fallen by 11% since 2010. The majority of private landlords in the UK are responsible. A large percentage are homeowners who have simply moved out and are renting out their homes, not just professional buy to let investors.

With rising mortgage rates, landlords have to cover their costs. Many understand the cost-of-living crisis and don’t want to pass on rent increases to long term tenants. Others are being forced to sell as the rental yields/ monthly costs have risen and some are experiencing negative equity with the value of their properties in relation to borrowing.

Either way it is a no-win situation for both private landlords and tenants. Click to read more.