Finding the right tenant is one of the most important decisions you will make as a landlord.

If you prefer to manage your property yourself but want professional help finding and securing a suitable tenant, our Tenant Find Service is designed with you in mind.

At Shorts Property People, we combine detailed local knowledge of Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding Suffolk area with a structured lettings process designed to help you find a suitable tenant efficiently and with confidence.

You remain responsible for managing the property once the tenancy begins, while we take care of the important work involved in marketing your property, finding prospective tenants and setting up the tenancy.

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What is a Tenant Find Service?

A Tenant Find Service is designed for landlords who want professional assistance finding a tenant but intend to manage the property themselves once the tenancy starts.

Unlike a fully managed property service, we do not take responsibility for the ongoing day-to-day management of the tenancy. Instead, we handle the key stages involved in finding and securing a new tenant and getting the tenancy off to the right start.

This can be an ideal option for landlords who are comfortable managing their own properties but want the benefit of:

• Professional property marketing
• Local rental market knowledge
• Accompanied viewings
• Applicant pre-qualification
• Tenant referencing
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy documentation
• Deposit administration
• Professional move-in arrangements

You remain in control of your property while benefiting from our experience and local knowledge.

Who is our Tenant Find Service suitable for?

Our Tenant Find Service can be particularly suitable for:

Experienced landlords

Landlords who understand their ongoing responsibilities and are confident managing tenants, maintenance and rent collection themselves.

Portfolio landlords

Landlords with several properties who want to retain control of their management while using a professional agent to help source new tenants.

Local landlords

Landlords based in and around Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds who are able to deal with the property and tenant directly once the tenancy begins.

Landlords looking for flexibility

If you normally manage your own property but want professional assistance when a tenancy becomes vacant, our Tenant Find Service gives you the option to use an agent for the part of the process where you need additional support.

Our Tenant Find Process

We have developed a straightforward process designed to make finding a tenant as simple as possible.

Step 1: Rental valuation and market appraisal

Getting the rental price right from the beginning is essential.

A property advertised above its realistic market value can take longer to let, increasing the risk of a void period. Conversely, pricing too low could mean you are not achieving the rental income the property could reasonably generate.

We assess your property based on factors including:

• Location
• Size and accommodation
• Condition and presentation
• Parking and outside space
• Local comparable properties
• Current tenant demand
• The type of tenant likely to be attracted to the property

Our local knowledge of the Stowmarket and Suffolk rental market helps us provide a realistic rental assessment based on current market conditions.

Step 2: Professional property marketing

Once the rental price has been agreed, we market your property to prospective tenants.

Our marketing can include:

• Advertising on major property portals
• Professional property photography
• A clear and accurate property description
• Promotion to our database of registered applicants
• Direct contact with prospective tenants looking for suitable properties

Good marketing is about more than simply putting photographs and a description online. We aim to present your property accurately while highlighting the features that are most likely to appeal to the right tenants.

Step 3: Managing enquiries and arranging viewings

Once your property is being marketed, we handle enquiries from prospective tenants.

We can pre-qualify applicants and discuss their requirements before arranging viewings, helping to ensure that the people viewing your property are genuinely interested and broadly suitable.

Viewings are accompanied by a member of our team, where appropriate, and we can provide feedback following appointments so that you have a clear understanding of the level of interest in your property.

Step 4: Tenant referencing and checks

Finding someone who wants to rent your property is only part of the process. You also need to make an informed decision about whether they are suitable for the tenancy.

Prospective tenants are subject to appropriate referencing and checks, which can include:

• Identity checks
• Credit checks
• Income and employment verification
• Affordability assessment
• Previous landlord or tenancy information where appropriate
• Right to Rent checks

Referencing provides useful information to help landlords make an informed decision before entering into a tenancy.

Step 5: Agreeing the tenancy

Once a suitable applicant has been identified and the necessary checks have been completed, we can progress the tenancy.

We will assist with the preparation of the appropriate tenancy documentation and explain the next steps to both landlord and tenant.

For new tenancies, landlords should ensure that the correct form of tenancy agreement and notices are used in accordance with the current private rented sector legislation.

Where applicable, we can also arrange:

• Collection of the tenancy deposit
• Deposit registration with an appropriate government-approved scheme
• Initial rent collection
• Signing of tenancy documentation
• Move-in arrangements
• Provision of relevant tenancy information

Our aim is to make the transition from an empty property to a new tenancy as smooth as possible.

What is included in our Tenant Find Service?

Our Tenant Find Service can include:

• Rental valuation and market appraisal
• Professional property marketing
• Advertising on major property portals
• Applicant enquiries and pre-qualification
• Accompanied property viewings
• Applicant feedback
• Tenant referencing
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy documentation
• Deposit collection and registration
• Move-in coordination

We take care of the key steps involved in finding and securing your next tenant, while you retain responsibility for the ongoing management of your property.

What happens after the tenant moves in?

Once the tenancy begins, the ongoing management of the property becomes your responsibility.

This means you will normally deal directly with the tenant regarding matters such as:

• Rent collection
• Repairs and maintenance
• Property inspections
• Tenant enquiries
• Tenancy issues
• Rent reviews
• Renewals or changes to the tenancy
• Compliance and safety requirements
• Ending the tenancy and dealing with possession

If you would rather not deal with these responsibilities yourself, we can also provide a fully managed property management service.

This gives you the flexibility to choose the level of involvement that works best for you.

Why choose Shorts Property People?

Choosing a local letting agent means you benefit from knowledge of the market in which your property is located.

At Shorts Property People, we specialise in residential lettings and property management across Suffolk.

We are based in Stowmarket and work with landlords and tenants across the surrounding area, including:

• Stowmarket
• Needham Market
• Ipswich
• Bury St Edmunds
• And surrounding Suffolk villages

We understand that every landlord and every property is different. Our approach is therefore personal, straightforward and focused on providing practical advice throughout the letting process.

Looking for a tenant for your Suffolk rental property?

If you are planning to let your property and would like professional assistance finding a suitable tenant, our Tenant Find Service could be the right solution.

You remain in control of your property while we handle the marketing, viewings, referencing and tenancy set-up.

Contact Shorts Property People today to discuss your property and find out how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tenant Find Service?

A Tenant Find Service is designed to help landlords find and secure a new tenant without taking ongoing responsibility for managing the property. The agent typically handles marketing, viewings, referencing and tenancy set-up, after which the landlord takes over day-to-day management.

Do you manage the property after the tenant moves in?

Our Tenant Find Service is designed for landlords who wish to manage their own property. Once the tenancy begins, ongoing management is the landlord’s responsibility. We also offer a fully managed property management service if you would prefer us to manage the tenancy on your behalf.

Do you carry out tenant referencing?

Yes. Appropriate tenant referencing and checks form an important part of our Tenant Find Service. This can include identity, credit, income, employment, affordability and Right to Rent checks.

Do you carry out Right to Rent checks?

Yes. Right to Rent checks form part of the tenancy process where applicable, helping landlords meet their legal obligations.

Do you accompany viewings?

Yes. Our Tenant Find Service includes accompanied viewings, helping to provide a professional experience for prospective tenants while giving you feedback on interest in the property.

Can you help me decide how much rent to charge?

Yes. We can provide a local rental valuation based on the property, its condition, location, comparable properties and current market demand.

What happens if I decide I want full management later?

If your circumstances change, you can discuss moving to our fully managed service. This can be particularly useful if you become short of time, move away from the area or simply decide you would prefer someone else to handle the day-to-day management of your property.

Is a Tenant Find Service cheaper than full property management?

A Tenant Find Service generally involves fewer ongoing services than full property management, so the cost structure is different. The right option depends on how much responsibility you want to retain as a landlord and the level of support you require.