Smaller letting agents 'can offer a more personal service'

Smaller letting agents can sometimes offer a more personal service which gives them the edge over their larger rivals, an industry expert has said.

Recently, Karen Sheppard set up Sheppard's Lettings in Portsmouth and she has revealed that the personal service and detailed local knowledge which smaller letting agents can offer have helped her carve out a niche market in the city.

She explained: "Finding the ideal match of tenants to available properties requires a closer level contact than many large offices can offer.

"I have the extra advantage of detailed local knowledge of the Portsmouth area, having lived in the city virtually all of my life."

Ms Sheppard added that it was vital for small letting agents to make use of the internet to advertise their available properties as an effective website can level the playing field with the larger operators.

Finally, Ms Sheppard pointed out that there could be a financial incentive for both property ownersand tenants in opting for a smaller agent.

She concluded: "We are able to offer fee structures well below those of the established agents, whether we are just finding people to fill vacant properties, or taking on the full management of sites for landlords who want that level of peace of mind."