Rent and Credit > Renting Through an Agent vs Private: Which is Right for You?

Renting Through an Agent vs Private: Which is Right for You?

Wollit Team2 minute read · Updated 1st August 2025

When looking for your next home, you'll come across two main options: renting through an estate agent or dealing directly with a private landlord. Both have their ups and downs, and your choice could make a big difference to your renting experience. We'll break down what each option means so you can decide which works best for you.

The Two Ways to Rent

Estate agents are the middlemen between landlords and tenants, handling everything from viewings to rent collection and repairs.

Private landlords manage their own properties directly, so you'll deal with the actual property owner.

Why Choose an Estate Agent

Going through an estate agent has some clear benefits:

Quicker repairs: Agents often have their own trusted tradespeople ready to go and clear ways of doing things, which can mean issues get sorted faster.
Clear contracts: Standard rental agreements that spell out exactly what you and the landlord are responsible for
Professional help: Good agents usually know housing rules inside out and have set ways of dealing with problems, which can be a comfort. Just remember their main client is the landlord.
Proper checks: Set processes for credit checks for renting, though they might be stricter than private landlords

Renting from Private Landlords: The Good and Bad

Going direct to a private landlord has its own pros and cons:

The good bits:

More wiggle room: They're often happy to negotiate on rent or let you make small changes to the property
Cheaper to start: No agency fees or admin charges to pay upfront
Direct contact: You can build a proper relationship with your landlord
Unique homes: Access to interesting properties that aren't with agents

The not-so-good bits:

Slower fixes: They might not have a team of repair people ready to go
Less formal setup: If something goes wrong, there might not be a big company policy to fall back on like with an agent. You'll mostly rely on your direct chat with the landlord and knowing your own tenant rights.
Mixed bag: Your experience really depends on how good your landlord is

If you're worried about your credit score, private landlords might be more understanding when you're renting with bad credit.

How to Decide: What Matters Most to You?

Your choice between an agent and private landlord should come down to what's important to you:

Money considerations:

Upfront costs: Remember, neither agents nor private landlords should be charging you extra fees beyond your rent and a legally capped deposit/holding deposit. Focus on the total monthly rent and the deposit amount.
What you can afford long-term

Your situation:

Time you have: Agents sort out the paperwork, private landlords need more back-and-forth
Credit worries: Private landlords might be more flexible if your credit isn't perfect
Future plans: Think about whether you want to stay put or might move again soon

What you want from a property:

Location choice: Agents have more options, private landlords might have that perfect unique place
Making changes: Consider whether you want to redecorate or make the place your own

The Bottom Line

Choosing between an estate agent and a private landlord really comes down to what matters most to you. Agents offer professional service and clear processes, whilst private landlords give you more flexibility and a personal touch. Think about your budget, how much time you have, and what you want from your rental experience.

Whatever route you choose, make sure you're getting the most from your monthly rent payments by using Wollit's rent reporting service to build your credit file with every payment you make.