If you’re a landlord in Bristol comparing letting agents, you’ll see a lot of claims about “12% fully managed services.” Sounds simple enough. In reality, many agents load on extra fees at every step, quietly chipping away at your rental income.
At Front Door Lettings, we do things differently. One simple fee. No surprises. Here’s a breakdown of what others are charging, and how much you could be saving.
What “Fully Managed” Really Means With Most Agents
Many agents use the phrase “fully managed” as a headline – but then charge for everything that falls under what most landlords would assume is included. This really winds us up.
Take this example from a well-known Bristol letting agent:
- Setup fee – £350
- Deposit registration (DPS) – £65 (mandatory)
- Rent increase letter – £65
- Tenancy renewal – £65
- Section 21 notice – £90
- Section 8 notice – £90
That’s £725 in additional fees you can end up paying, all on top of their advertised 12% monthly fee.
And this is assuming everything goes smoothly — if issues arise (like arrears or eviction notices), the costs keep climbing.
It’s also ignoring agents that add a extra 7-10% onto maintenance works as their margin.
Front Door Lettings: One Fee, All-Included
We believe managing a property should be straightforward — not an exercise in dodging surprise charges.
That’s why we offer one transparent monthly fee. Everything is included:
✔️ No setup fees
✔️ Deposit protection handled — no extra cost
✔️ Rent reviews and increase notices included
✔️ Tenancy renewals included
✔️ Legal notices (Section 21 / Section 8) included
✔️ No admin fees or hidden extras — ever
Why It Matters: Real Savings, Less Hassle
Let’s say your property generates £1,500 in monthly rent. At 12%, that’s £180/month in management fees. With other agents, after all the added costs, you’re easily paying closer to £250–£300/month in real terms when annualised.
That’s an extra £800–£1,200 a year, gone.
Excluding what happens if a tenant leaves, you need to re-let the property – incurring more fees.
For portfolio landlords, that scales fast. For single-property landlords, it’s the difference between a decent return and a wasted year.
But It’s Not Just About the Money…
Hidden charges are a symptom of a bigger problem – agents who aren’t acting in your best interests.
You shouldn’t have to question every email or service for fear of a fee. You should be able to trust that your property is being looked after properly, that you’re compliant, and that you’re not being upsold on basics.
That’s the kind of service we deliver at Front Door Lettings. Our Bristol Fully Managed Letting terms are here – clear, not hidden and straight down the line.
Transparency Pays
Here’s the truth:
Landlords with us typically save £500–£800+ per year compared to typical agents in Bristol.
Many agents rely on extras and admin fees to make their margin.
These costs are rarely flagged upfront — and often buried in the terms.
Front Door Lettings offers a single, simple fee that covers everything. If it sounds like it’s time to talk, please contact us below.
