7 questions to ask an estate agent before your rental valuation
You’ve booked a rental valuation — great first step. Before anyone sets foot through the door, it’s worth making sure the agent you’ve invited is set up to protect your income, your time, and your asset. Here are seven questions to ask (and exactly why they matter).
1) Who will actually carry out the viewings — and who negotiates the deal?
A strong letting result isn’t just about the asking rent. It’s about the quality of applicants, the terms, the timeline, and how confidently the agent can handle objections.
At GLP, viewings and negotiations are handled by experienced negotiators — not passed down to an office junior. The person discussing value with you is the person accountable for delivering it.
2) How experienced are they — and will they understand my property?
Townhouses, period homes, family houses, modern builds — every property type attracts different tenants and has different deal-breakers.
Ask:
- How long have you been letting similar properties?
- What type of tenants typically rent homes like mine?
- What would you highlight (or improve) to maximise rent?
At GLP, we come prepared: we’ll discuss likely tenant profiles, realistic rent ranges, and what changes will (and won’t) move the needle.
3) What will you do to make my property stand out online?
Most properties look the same on the portals. Great marketing isn’t “more photos” — it’s better storytelling and sharper presentation. GLP is different because we have an in-house media team.
Depending on the property, we can:
- Create video content (including presenter-led walkthroughs)
- Advise on staging if it will increase appeal (and rent)
- Promote across social media channels as well as standard portal advertising
- Position the home to attract the right tenant, not just “any tenant”
4) What certificates and compliance do I need before I can let it?
A proper agent should clearly explain what’s required, what’s recommended, and what they can manage for you. We’ll talk you through the key legal requirements (and any property-specific considerations). If you want a fully hands-off approach, our Platinum package is designed to take care of the process end-to-end, with our in-house property management team coordinating what’s needed.
5) How do you handle referencing — is it in-house or outsourced?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Referencing is the difference between a smooth tenancy and months of stress. GLP has always run referencing in-house. We simply don’t outsource something this crucial. Our checks go deeper than typical third-party agencies because we want to be confident in:
- affordability and stability
- consistency of documents and answers
- overall risk profile, not just a “pass/fail” tick-box
6) What should I do before we launch the property?
A small amount of prep can significantly improve demand (and protect your rent level). In most cases, the best quick wins are:
- declutter
- tidy thoroughly
- deep clean
- make the property feel bright, calm, and well cared for
We’ll advise you on the highest-impact changes for your specific home.
7) Do I need to redecorate or replace carpets — and can you help?
Not every property needs a full refresh. But sometimes, a paint touch-up or new flooring can increase tenant quality and reduce void periods. We’ll give honest advice on:
- what to change
- what to leave
- what will actually deliver a return
And if work is needed, we have an in-house team of contractors who can take care of improvements efficiently, without you having to juggle multiple trades.
How GLP helps
From valuation and marketing through to compliance, tenant-find, referencing and full management — we can handle the entire process with a full team based in Central London. If you’d like, bring these questions to your valuation and we’ll talk through them one by one — clearly, honestly, and with a plan to achieve the best outcome for your property.
Kate & Rob Hill
Founders, Greater London Properties & Support Our Schools Initiative
🌍 Local knowledge. Honest advice. Global reach.