Landlord Products / ServicesUpdate (28th July 2022): HOWSY IS DEAD TO ME!
It’s a sad, sad day.
Right, so I’m going to be blunt (probably too blunt), but the silver lining is that I am going to keep my hissy fit brief.
In short, I can no longer continue recommending Howsy’s service in good faith.
The truth is, I personally wouldn’t use them to manage my own rental properties, so I’d be going against my core beliefs if I recommended them to you or anyone else.
Howsy’s behaviour has finally got on my last nerve, so diplomacy is officially out the window (that ship has sailed, bon voyage). I’ve had enough. They’re just so frustratingly shit at communicating (and have been for as long as I can remember now). I’ve been more than patient – I’ve got years’ worth of email chains to prove it.
If my opinion ever changes I’ll add another update, otherwise it’s safe to assume nothing has changed.
Don’t worry though, you still have options, I do continue to support and recommend the following online letting agents.
Update (28th July 2022): everything written below is mostly out-of-date now!
Howsy.com, the complete management service for landlords from £41 per month (that’s inclusive of the shiny and exclusive 30% discount code available below).
Let’s take a look, shall we?
To clarify, this isn’t going to be a full-blown review of Howsy’s service, like I’ve previously done with other online agents. Nor is this going to unravel into a cheesy and overbearing ass-licking expedition that will make you want to vomit into your hat. Although, I’m sure Howsy would love that!
This is more of a “Oh look, that looks like a cool offer, maybe you should check it out [and then make up your own mind]”
To be honest, I think Howsy might just be the cheapest fully-let management service around. I’ve certainly not seen more value/features stuffed into an offer with the same price-tag, so I’d be amiss if I didn’t, at the very least, brashly bring their services to your attention. I am, after-all, a landlord blogger that allegedly has his ear to the ground!
Since I don’t want to flood you down with reels and reels of information, I’m only going to briefly introduce you to Howsy, and then go over the key features of their two core services.
Quick intro to Howsy
Howsy are an online letting agent, that means, unlike your local traditional letting agent, they don’t have a physical branch on the high-street which you can pop into. They have a website/app which handles all their sales, and a central office(s) where they handle all operations, including telephone support for landlords and tenants!
That’s pretty much the bear-bones crux of their setup, and why, like every other online agent, they’re able to charge significantly less than your local high-street agent. No branches, no flashy cars zipping around town, which ultimately means less overheads!
If this is the first time you’ve encountered the concept of ‘online agents’ and you’re gasping for more information, feel free to dive through my guide on online letting agents.
Service 1) Tenant-find service & Fully management
Their standard management package is suitable for landlords looking for new tenants and a complete management solution…
| Letting Agent | Rating | Contract | Notes / Includes | Price |
|---|
Please note, I try my best to keep the information up-to-date, but you should read the T&C’s from the agents’ website for the most up-to-date information.
Service 2) Agent “switch” service
Now, I find this service quite interesting, “The switch”
The “Switch” service allows landlords to easily change from their current letting agent to Howsy’s management service, whether that’s because they’re charging significantly more and/or providing a lousy service (the two most common reasons for pulling the old switcheroo).
They’ll work with your current agent to manage every aspect of the transfer; from agreements to deposits to liaising with the renters – and it won’t cost you anything. And, if you’re unsure about your contractual obligations with your current agent, they can help crunch through those details with you.
| Letting Agent | Rating | Contract | Notes / Includes | Price |
|---|
Please note, I try my best to keep the information up-to-date, but you should read the T&C’s from the agents’ website for the most up-to-date information.
Yup, that’s it. That’s all I’ve got for you this time. Just a cool service worth looking into if you’re a landlord looking for a cost-effective fully-let management solution and/or assistance with sacking your current letting agent.
If you’ve used Howsy (or NoAgent), or if you’re in the process of deciding whether to use them or not, please leave a comment below…
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
