Managing a property in Camden is no small task. With rising tenant expectations, new property legislation, and a rapidly changing rental market, landlords face a complex landscape. But many property owners don’t realise that their biggest financial leak could be their letting agent.
From unclear fee structures to poor market insight, the wrong agent can quietly chip away at your profits. In this blog, we explore five common ways landlords lose money because of their letting agents and how to avoid these mistakes using best practices in property management Camden landlords can trust.
Not all Camden letting agents are upfront about their charges. Some include hidden or layered fees for standard services, such as tenancy renewals, periodic inspections, or property marketing. These can add up significantly over the course of a tenancy.
Common hidden charges may include:
A recent review of residential property services in Camden shows that landlords can lose £1,500 to £2,000 annually just from hidden costs. Always ask for a clear, itemised fee structure and avoid agents who are vague about pricing. You can view an example of a transparent offering via Aresti Estates’ Residential Property Services.
Quick tenant placement might seem efficient, but rushing the vetting process can result in major financial losses. Bad tenants may default on rent, damage the property, or initiate legal disputes, each of which comes with a price.
A lack of proper screening can cost landlords thousands in unpaid rent, repair costs, legal fees, and vacant periods. That’s why property owners trust use a thorough, documented screening process, which includes:
Before signing with an agent, ask about their screening steps and how frequently they reject unsuitable applicants. Professional agencies offering services will always prioritise tenant quality over speed.
Good tenants are only half the battle. Without consistent and proactive property management, your investment can suffer silently. Poor communication, delayed maintenance, and skipped inspections reduce tenant satisfaction and property value.
Landlords who work with inexperienced or understaffed agencies often face:
Inefficiencies like these can lead to losses exceeding £5,000 per year due to turnover and property depreciation. Top-performing property management London agencies include regular check-ins, professional maintenance coordination, and detailed reports as part of their base service, not as add-ons.
An underinformed agent might miss out on market shifts that could increase your rental income. Camden’s property market is highly responsive to local developments, such as regeneration projects or improvements to transit links.
When your agent doesn’t stay up to date with demand and pricing trends, you risk undervaluing your property. In some areas of Camden, this can amount to £300 or more per month in lost rental potential.
What to expect from a knowledgeable agent:
Landlords should ensure their agent understands hyper-local trends and isn’t just working off general London averages. Camden is unique and requires tailored expertise.
London landlords must comply with a range of regulations, from licensing to energy efficiency. Unfortunately, not all letting agents are proactive about compliance, and some may not even be up to date with Camden Council’s landlord requirements.
Failure to meet legal standards can result in fines ranging from £5,000 to £30,000. This includes violations such as:
Before engaging a letting agent, confirm how they handle legal compliance. Agencies with strong property management experience will have systems in place to ensure nothing is missed. Compliance should never be treated as optional; it’s fundamental to your protection.
Letting agents should make a landlord’s life easier, not create hidden losses. Whether through extra fees, poor tenant placements, slow property management, missed market insights, or compliance gaps, the wrong agent could be quietly reducing your rental income.
For Camden landlords who want clarity, efficiency, and long-term property value protection, choosing the right property management partner is essential.
If you’d like to review your current letting arrangements or explore a more transparent service, contact Aresti Estates now to learn more about what professional Camden letting agents should offer.
