How to fire your estate agent (and what to do next)

Tired of paying agent fees and still chasing tenants?

You’re not alone. Thousands of landlords across the UK are rethinking the role of letting agents — and discovering it’s not only possible to go without one, but often better.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fire your letting agent, what you need to consider legally, and how to take back control of your property.

1. Review your contract

Before sending that “goodbye” email, check your management agreement. Look for:

• Termination clause: What’s the notice period?
• Exit fees: Some agents sneak in handover charges.
• Fixed-term lock-ins: You may need to wait it out or negotiate.

2. Notify the agent (in writing)

Send a formal termination letter referencing the contract. Keep a record. Don’t just call or text — this isn’t personal, it’s business.

3. Get your documents back

Make sure you collect:

• The lease agreement
• Deposit scheme details
• Compliance certificates (EPC, gas safety, etc.)
• Maintenance history
• Any tenant correspondence

You’re entitled to all of it.

4. Tell your tenant what's happening

Let your tenant know:

• Who will be managing the property going forward
• How to report maintenance
• Where to pay rent now

Tip: Be professional and reassuring. You’re not dropping them — you’re upgrading the system.

5. Set up your new system with F.estate

You don’t have to go fully DIY. F.estate handles:

• Rent collection via direct debit
• Digital leases and renewals
• Maintenance and disputes
• Deposits and compliance tracking

No agents. No paperwork. No chaos.

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