Finding the right letting agent means understanding exactly what you're paying for. At Chestertons, we believe in complete fee transparency, so you can compare your options confidently and choose the level of service that works for your property and circumstances.
Whether you're a first-time landlord or managing a growing portfolio, our letting fees are structured to give you genuine value at every tier.
What are letting agent fees for landlords?
Letting agent fees for landlords cover the cost of services provided by an agent to let and manage your property. These typically fall into three categories:
Rent Collection: The agent collects rent on your behalf, chases arrears, and provides regular statements.
Fully Managed: the agent handles everything: tenant find, rent collection, routine inspections, maintenance coordination, legal compliance, and day-to-day tenant communication.
Chestertons landlord fee structure
Our fees are presented clearly below. We charge a percentage of the monthly rent on the service selected.
Our fees
Whats included in our letting agent fees
Letting agent fees for landlords cover the cost of services provided by an agent to let and manage your property. These typically fall into three categories:
Fully Managed: the agent handles everything: tenant find, rent collection, routine inspections, maintenance coordination, legal compliance, and day-to-day tenant communication.
Your property will be listed across the major portals, including Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket, as well as on chestertons.co.uk and promoted through our branch network. Professional photography is included as standard on managed and rent collection services.
All prospective tenants are fully referenced, including credit history, employment status, previous landlord references, and Right to Rent verification in line with Home Office requirements.
We prepare a legally compliant agreement tailored to your property and tenancy type, including any required schedules and addenda.
Where instructed by you, we register your tenant's deposit with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits) and provide the prescribed information to the tenant within the legal timeframe.
Monthly rent is collected and transferred to your nominated account, with clear statements provided. Any late payment is chased promptly to protect your cash flow.
We carry out periodic inspections throughout the tenancy and provide written reports, giving you peace of mind that your property is being maintained.
We handle day-to-day repair requests from tenants, sourcing and instructing vetted contractors and keeping you informed of any significant works.
We keep your tenancy compliant with evolving legislation, including the Renters' Rights Act, EPC requirements, gas safety, electrical safety (EICR), smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, and licensing obligations.
Are There Any Additional Landlord Fees to Be Aware Of?
In addition to the core service fee, there may be charges for certain one-off services. These vary by circumstance and will always be communicated clearly in advance:
Check-in and check-out reports - independent inventory and schedule of condition
Contractor call-out - where significant works are required outside routine management
Licensing application - where your property requires an HMO or selective licence
Court representation - in the event of formal dispute or possession proceedings
We are fully transparent about any additional charges before you commit.
Fees differ between agents for a number of reasons, and it is worth understanding what drives the variation:
Location and market: agents operating in central London and prime areas typically carry higher overheads and more specialist expertise.
Service depth: a fully managed service requires significantly more resource; the fee reflects that.
Portfolio discounts: landlords with multiple properties may be eligible for reduced rates across their portfolio.
Agent quality and track record: lower fees don't always mean better value. Voids, poor tenant selection, and missed compliance obligations can cost far more than a marginally higher management fee.
Since June 2019, the Tenant Fees Act has prohibited Landlords and agents from charging tenants for most services previously passed on as tenant fees. This means the cost of referencing, administration, and tenancy set-up now falls entirely to the landlord. Reputable agents like Chestertons are fully compliant with the Act, and our fee schedule reflects this clearly.
In London, fully managed letting agent fees typically range from 10% to 20% of monthly rent, inclusive of VAT. Tenant find fees are usually charged as a percentage of the first year's rent or as a fixed fee.
Yes, particularly if you have multiple properties. Chestertons is happy to discuss your specific circumstances.
Yes. Letting agent fees are a legitimate allowable expense for landlords and can be deducted from rental income when calculating your tax liability. We recommend speaking to a qualified accountant for personalised advice.
No. We'll help you choose the right level of service for your situation.
With our Rent Collection and Fully Managed services, we chase arrears on your behalf. We can also advise on rent guarantee insurance to provide additional protection.
Speak to your local Chestertons branch to get a personalised fee proposal. Our lettings team can also provide a free market appraisal of your property at the same time.