How we collect and use letting agent fee data

Where our fee data comes from

We focus on publicly available information so that landlords can verify what they see. Most of our fee data is collected from:

• Agent websites – published fee scales and service descriptions for let-only, rent collection and full management
• Marketing materials – online brochures, PDFs and listings where agents share their standard fees
• Direct confirmations – in some cases, emails or conversations with agents when published information is incomplete or unclear

We prioritise agents who are active in a given area and who publish their fees in enough detail to be meaningful for landlords.

What we record for each agent

For each agent and area we cover, we aim to record a consistent set of headline details so that comparisons are meaningful.

• Service levels offered – whether the agent provides let-only, rent collection and/or full management
• Headline fee structure – the typical percentage or fixed fee for each service level, based on what’s publicly advertised
• Common additional charges – where stated, typical amounts for services such as tenancy renewals, inventories, check-in/check-out and setup fees
• Contextual notes – any important conditions or explanations that affect how fees should be interpreted (for example, minimum fees, rent thresholds or discounts for multiple properties)

We do not attempt to capture every possible bespoke arrangement, but we focus on what a typical landlord is likely to be offered.

How we turn raw fees into comparisons

Fee information is often presented in different formats by different agents. One may quote “10% + VAT”, another “12% including VAT”, and another a fixed monthly amount. Our job is to standardise this as far as possible so landlords can see the real differences.

• We convert fees into a consistent format (for example, clearly stating whether VAT is included)
• We group fees by service level so you can compare like-for-like (let-only vs let-only, full management vs full management, and so on)
• We highlight where fees are expressed as a percentage of rent vs a fixed amount
• Where helpful, we include simple worked examples to show how fees might apply over a typical tenancy

These comparisons are designed to highlight patterns and ranges, not to replace formal quotes from agents.

How we handle locations and averages

Our comparisons are organised by location so that landlords can see what’s typical in the areas that matter to them. For each location we cover, we:

• Identify agents that actively advertise or operate in that location
• Collate their published fees for core services
• Calculate broad averages or typical ranges for each service level

Location pages are intended as a guide, not a league table. A fee above or below the local average isn’t automatically “good” or “bad” – it needs to be considered alongside the level of service and the type of property being managed.

How often we update fee data

Letting agent fees can change over time, especially when market conditions or regulations shift. We review and update our data on a rolling basis, prioritising:

• Locations where landlord usage of LetCompare is highest
• Agents who tell us they’ve updated their fees
• Areas where we’ve seen significant movement in typical pricing

Each location page includes an indication of when the data for that area was last reviewed. If we’re notified of an important change, we aim to reflect it as promptly as possible, but we cannot guarantee real-time updates.

Accuracy, limitations and how to use our data

We take accuracy seriously and aim to reflect publicly advertised fees as faithfully as we can. However, there are important limitations to keep in mind:

• Published fees may not cover every scenario or discount an agent is willing to offer
• Some agents adjust pricing based on property type, rent level, portfolio size or specific landlord requirements
• We may not include agents who do not publish fees in enough detail for meaningful comparison

For these reasons, our data should be treated as a guide rather than a definitive quote. Before you instruct any agent, you should always confirm exact fees, inclusions and contract terms in writing.

How agents can request changes

If you are a letting agent and believe that our data for your business is incomplete, out of date or incorrect, we want to hear from you. You can submit updated fee information through our agent portal, along with any clarifications we should keep in mind when presenting your fees to landlords.

We’ll review your submission, cross-check it with publicly available information and update our records where appropriate.

How landlords can give feedback

Landlord feedback is an important part of improving our comparisons. If you spot a discrepancy between what you were quoted and what you see on LetCompare, or if you have suggestions for how we present information, you can contact us and share the details.

While we can’t intervene in individual disputes between landlords and agents, we can use feedback to improve how we capture and display fee data in future.