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Living FranchiseHow to become a letting agent in the UK
Thinking about a career in lettings? Here's how to become a letting agent in the UK, the skills and qualifications you'll need, what letting agents earn and how to start your own agency.
To become a letting agent in the UK, you can either get a job with a letting agency and learn on the job, or start your own lettings business. In England, you don’t need a formal qualification, though a Level 3 lettings qualification is recommended. In Scotland, you must hold a qualification at SCQF level 6 to register, and in Wales you need approved training to get a Rent Smart Wales licence.
Lettings can be a rewarding career. You work with people, every day is different, and if you run your own agency, you can build a business with recurring monthly income. Here’s how to get into the industry, the skills and qualifications you’ll need, what letting agents earn and how to go further by starting your own agency.
Key takeaways
- You don’t need a degree or previous property experience to become a letting agent.
- Rules on qualifications differ in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Most people start as a lettings negotiator or administrator and learn on the job.
- Running your own agency is where the bigger earning potential is, through monthly management fees.
- A lettings franchise lets you start your own agency without industry experience.
What does a letting agent do?
A letting agent finds tenants for landlords and, in many cases, manages the property throughout the tenancy. A typical week can include:
- Valuing rental properties and winning new landlords
- Marketing properties and arranging viewings
- Referencing tenants and preparing tenancy agreements
- Collecting rent and protecting deposits
- Arranging repairs and maintenance
- Carrying out inspections
- Making sure properties meet safety and legal requirements
How to become a letting agent: 2 routes
Route 1: work for a letting agency
Most people start in a junior role, such as lettings negotiator, lettings administrator or property manager, and learn on the job. Some agencies offer apprenticeships in housing and property management. Experience in sales or customer service helps, and you’ll usually need a full driving licence for viewings and inspections.
This route gives you a steady salary while you learn. The trade-off is that your earnings are capped by your salary and commission, and the business you build belongs to your employer.
Route 2: run your own letting agency
You can also start your own lettings business, either independently or through a lettings franchise. You earn fees directly from landlords, and every property you manage adds to your monthly income.
Starting independently means building your knowledge, systems and brand from scratch. A franchise gives you training, technology and support from day one, so you can start without previous experience. Read our step-by-step guide to starting a letting agency in the UK.
Do you need qualifications to be a letting agent?
It depends on where you work.
| Nation | Qualification required? | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| England | No | No legal requirement, but a Level 3 lettings qualification, such as Propertymark’s, is widely recommended. All agents must join a redress scheme. |
| Scotland | Yes | To join the Scottish Letting Agent Register, the business owner or most senior manager, and anyone supervising letting work, must hold a qualification at SCQF level 6 or above. Ongoing training of 20 hours every 3 years is required. |
| Wales | Yes | Agents need a Rent Smart Wales licence, which means completing approved training and keeping it up to date. |
| Northern Ireland | No | No specific qualification, but landlord and tenancy laws still apply. |
Accepted qualifications in Scotland include the CIH Level 3 Certificate in Letting and Managing Residential Property, the Propertymark SCQF Level 6 Certificate in Property Agency (Lettings) and the safeagent Foundation Lettings Course. Always check the current Scottish requirements before you apply.
Wherever you work, the law keeps changing. In England, the Renters’ Rights Act is changing how tenancies, possession and rent increases work, so ongoing training matters.
What skills do you need to be a letting agent?
- Communication: you’ll deal with landlords, tenants and contractors every day.
- Sales and negotiation: winning landlords and agreeing rents and terms.
- Organisation: keeping track of viewings, renewals, safety certificates and repairs.
- Problem solving: sorting out issues calmly, from boiler breakdowns to disputes.
- Attention to detail: tenancy paperwork and compliance have to be right.
- Confidence with technology: most agencies run on property management software.
Many of these skills carry over from other careers, such as sales, hospitality, customer service, retail and the armed forces.
How much do letting agents earn?
As an employee
Employed letting agents typically earn a basic salary of around £20,000 to £30,000, often with commission or bonuses on top. Lettings managers and branch managers usually earn more, commonly £30,000 to £40,000 or above, depending on location and experience.
As an agency owner
Agency owners earn fees directly from landlords. Most charge 8% to 15% of the monthly rent for full management. On the UK average rent of around £1,400 a month, a 10% fee is £140 a month for each managed property. With 100 managed properties, that’s around £168,000 a year in management fees, before costs.
That’s the big difference between the two routes. An employee’s income is limited by their salary, while an owner’s income grows with every property they add. Read our full guide to how much letting agents make.
How to become a letting agent with no experience
- Learn the basics. Read up on tenancy law, deposits, safety certificates and the Renters’ Rights Act.
- Consider a qualification. A Level 3 lettings qualification gives you a strong foundation, and is required in Scotland.
- Choose your route. Decide whether you want a job at an agency or your own business.
- Get support. If you want your own agency, a lettings franchise gives you training, systems and a support team.
- Start winning landlords. Build local relationships and make your service easy to find.
How to start your own letting agency
If you want to run your own business, there are 3 main ways in:
- Start independently: full control, but you build everything yourself.
- Join a lettings franchise: training, technology and support from day one, for an upfront fee and a monthly fee.
- Buy an existing agency: start with landlords, properties and income already in place.
With Sourced Living, you can do both: launch your own agency, and as you grow, take over an established agency with up to 100% of the purchase price funded by Sourced, for eligible Partners, subject to due diligence and approval.
Sourced Living Partner John Clark completed the purchase of an established agency with 262 managed units just 49 days after joining. Read John’s story.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to be a letting agent in the UK?
In England and Northern Ireland, no formal qualification is required, though a Level 3 lettings qualification is recommended. In Scotland, you need a qualification at SCQF level 6 to register. In Wales, you need approved training to get a Rent Smart Wales licence.
How do I become a letting agent in Scotland?
You must register on the Scottish Letting Agent Register. The business owner or most senior manager, and anyone supervising letting work, needs a qualification at SCQF level 6 or above, plus 20 hours of training every 3 years.
Can I become a letting agent with no experience?
Yes. Many letting agents start in junior roles and learn on the job. If you want your own business, a letting agent franchise gives you training and support, so you can start without previous experience.
How long does it take to become a letting agent?
You can start a junior role straight away. A Level 3 lettings qualification usually takes a few months of part-time study. Starting your own agency through a franchise can take a matter of weeks, from training to launch.
How much does a letting agent earn?
Employed letting agents typically earn around £20,000 to £30,000, plus commission. Agency owners earn management fees of 8% to 15% of rent on every property they manage, so their income grows as their portfolio grows.
Can I be a letting agent from home?
Yes. Many agency owners run their business from home, using property management software, and visit properties for viewings and inspections.
How much does it cost to become a letting agent?
Getting a job costs nothing beyond any qualification you choose to take. Starting your own agency involves setup costs. The Sourced Living franchise costs £9,999 + VAT, with a £255 monthly licence fee. Compare low-cost franchise opportunities in the UK.
Become a letting agent with Sourced Living
Run your own lettings agency, with training, technology and a dedicated support team behind you. No lettings experience needed. Offer traditional lets, HMOs and serviced accommodation, and grow faster with funded agency acquisitions.
