Compare letting and management agents using legal identity, current scheme evidence, VAT-inclusive pricing, contract terms and a written responsibility map.
Apply the same test to every firm. Marketing language should lead to a document, definition or dated source you can inspect.
Write down the answer and ask for the corresponding clause, schedule, certificate or fee entry before relying on it.
Use 0 for no evidence and 5 for complete, clear evidence. Do not weight a polished presentation more heavily than the contract and documents.
| Factor | What earns the score | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Entity and credentials | Identity, current redress and CMP documents match | 0-5 |
| Price clarity | VAT-inclusive total and all other charges are calculable | 0-5 |
| Contract clarity | Instruction, term, exit and fee triggers are understood | 0-5 |
| Responsibility map | Included, excluded and third-party tasks are written | 0-5 |
| Market evidence | Dated comparables and limitations support recommendations | 0-5 |
| Money handling | Accounts, statements, deposit route and approvals are clear | 0-5 |
| Communication | Named contacts, channels and escalation route are agreed | 0-5 |
| Handover | Records, funds, keys and open work can transfer cleanly | 0-5 |
Keep a separate “unresolved” list. A high total should not override a missing CMP certificate, unclear fee trigger or responsibility that matters to your property.
Official guidance
This is the information we can support publicly. Request the current contract and scheme documents before instruction.
Rentals & Sales is a trading name of RENTALS AND SALES.CO.UK LIMITED, company number 04189547.
View Companies House recordStandard fees are displayed inclusive of VAT with their calculation basis, worked examples, core scope and separate cost categories.
Read the fee scheduleAsk for the proposed service, fee, included work, exclusions, third-party costs, term and exit position in writing. Do not rely on a summary card alone.
Request the current redress and, where client money will be held, CMP certificate that applies to the contracting entity. A logo without a current certificate is not presented here as proof.
Tell us the property and service under consideration. We will identify what can be provided, what remains property-specific and any missing evidence before asking you to sign.
Treat every answer as a prompt to inspect the corresponding written evidence.
No. Ownership model and branch size do not prove service quality. Compare the actual legal entity, people, evidence, contract, fees, money handling and responsibility schedule for the proposed instruction.
Not without evidence. Ask for recent comparable transactions and the assumptions behind the figure. An appraisal is not a formal valuation or a guarantee, and an inflated launch figure can distort the marketing decision.
Compare the VAT-inclusive percentage, calculation base, payment trigger and total service scope. A lower percentage can cost more if mandatory setup, renewal, withdrawal, supplier or marketing charges are separate.
The badge itself proves very little. Request the current certificate or membership identifier and check that the legal entity, branch details, covered activity and validity period match the firm you will instruct.
Ask for the contractual and legal basis. Government guidance says estate-agent referrals and any payment received should be disclosed, and a seller does not have to use a recommended provider. Landlord service contracts should also make supplier choice, approvals and charges clear.
Request a property-specific proposal, then apply the same checklist to every agent you are considering.
