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    "result": {"data":{"glstrapi":{"newsBlog":{"id":"6a8c3baba6ef3b8c2eef3ba7","Title":"Letting Agents in Chelmsford: A Landlord's Checklist","URL":"letting-agents-in-chelmsford-a-landlords-checklist","Meta_Title":"Letting Agents in Chelmsford: A Landlord's Checklist","Meta_Description":"If you're a landlord operating in Chelmsford, you may have considered whether you want to work with a letting agent. Balgores are here to help!","News_Published_Date":"2026-09-07","Banner_Image":{"url":"https://ggfx-balgores.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.jpg","alternativeText":""},"Short_Intro":"<p>If you're a landlord operating in Chelmsford, you may have considered whether you want to work with a letting agent.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Of course, making this call for your business isn't always straightforward. This guide is here to help. Fortunately, we look at what you need to check before you appoint one so you can go into any new partnership with confidence.</p>","CTA_Below_Short_Intro":[],"Select_News_Category":{"Name":"Our news","URL":"our-news"},"Full_Content":"<h2>Decide what you need before you start shopping</h2>\n<p>It's always a good idea to go into negotiations like this, understanding what you really need before you start shopping. Different agents offer different products, so you need to be honest with yourself about what you want.</p>\n<p>The most basic is tenant find only. This is where the agent references applications and sets up the tenancy for you. You then manage it, dealing with maintenance and other issues that might come up. During the course of the tenancy, it's usually a one-off fee.</p>\n<p>The next step up is tenant find plus rent processing and arrears chasing. This is where the letting agent deals with all of the issues relating to collecting payment. Finally, you can opt for full management, which includes all of the above plus inspections, certificate renewals, repairs, and anything else you need to remain compliant.</p>\n<h2>Verify the non-negotiables</h2>\n<p>Anybody can claim to be a letting agent in England, but you need to work out whether you're actually working with someone professional. Make sure that they're a member of the Redress Scheme and that they are a member of a Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme.</p>\n<p>Also check that they offer deposit protection. They should confirm which of the three government-approved schemes they use. These include DPS, TDS, or mydeposits.</p>\n<h2>Get the fee structure in writing</h2>\n<p>Where possible, get their fee structure in writing. You should have this as something that you can always refer to in the event of a disagreement. It's worth noting that agents quoting 10% can generate different annual costs. Costs can depend on multiple factors, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>whether they're including VAT in the pricing</li>\n<li>whether they are adding tenancy renewal fees or periodic inspection fees</li>\n<li>whether they charge inventory check-in and check-out fees</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Pressure test their compliance support</h2>\n<p>You want to make sure that the letting agent you're using in Chelmsford offers high-quality client support. The Renters' Rights Act took effect on 1 May 2026, and specific types of evictions are now no longer allowed. Are they compliant, and are they adapting to the new rules? Are they able to handle compliant rent increases for you, and can they deal with the long list of routine compliance checks that all landlords must follow, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms</li>\n<li>EICR electrical safety every five years</li>\n<li>EPC testing to check for energy efficiency</li>\n<li>Legionella risk assessment</li>\n<li>Right to rent checks</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Also, do they offer an automated reminder system, or is it simply a diary and a phone in someone's hand?</p>\n<h2>Other checks</h2>\n<p>Here's a list of other checks to consider:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does a letting agent reference all tenants?</li>\n<li>Does a letting agent verify prospective tenant employment directly with the employer?</li>\n<li>How do they handle self-employed and contract applicants?</li>\n<li>What credit checks does the letting agent run on candidate tenants?</li>\n<li>What options does the letting agent provide for guarantors?</li>\n<li>What checks do guarantors undergo?</li>\n<li>What is the initial tie-in period for the letting agency?</li>\n<li>Is it possible to leave the letting agency without penalty for poor service?</li>\n<li>What is the spending threshold above which they must contact you for repairs and maintenance?</li>\n</ul>","ggfx_results":[{"id":"6a8c48624957c78b15ad796d","transforms":[{"url":"https://ggfx-balgores.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/x/426x300/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.webp","format":"webp","transform":"426x300","created_at":"2026-08-24 13:34:26.100","updated_at":"2026-08-24 13:34:26.100"},{"url":"https://ggfx-balgores.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/x/325x260/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.webp","format":"webp","transform":"325x260","created_at":"2026-08-24 13:35:19.624","updated_at":"2026-08-24 13:35:19.624"},{"url":"https://ggfx-balgores.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/x/1108x600/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.webp","format":"webp","transform":"1108x600","created_at":"2026-08-25 22:54:10.022","updated_at":"2026-08-25 22:54:10.022"},{"url":"https://ggfx-balgores.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/x/750x480/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.webp","format":"webp","transform":"750x480","created_at":"2026-09-15 18:42:02.756","updated_at":"2026-09-15 18:42:02.756"}],"src_cftle":"i/Letting-Agents-in-Chelmsford-A-Landlord-s-Checklist-b2d1239b1a.jpg"}]}}},"pageContext":{"id":"6a8c3baba6ef3b8c2eef3ba7"}},
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