Slades Lettings opened its doors in 2007 and quickly became established as the leading letting agent across Southbourne, Christchurch, Highcliffe, Bransgore and the surrounding BH postcode areas. We consistently let more properties in the BH postcode than any other agent, meaning that Landlords know where to come to to get the best possible service
Our continued success comes from combining a modern, forward-thinking service with traditional values and meticulous attention to detail. We manage a diverse portfolio of homes for hundreds of Landlords, from clifftop apartments to beautiful country properties, with monthly rents ranging from £800 to £5,000.
Our main lettings office is based in the heart of Southbourne, an area renowned for its vibrant high street, excellent selection of restaurants, bars and independent boutiques, as well as miles of golden sandy bathing beaches.
Together, our team has more than 100 years of combined experience within the lettings industry. Whatever stage of the lettings journey you are at, we are here to provide knowledgeable, dependable advice on every aspect of letting your home—and to help ensure Landlords remain fully compliant throughout.
We also work with a carefully selected network of trusted contractors who can respond to any repairs required during a tenancy. No work is undertaken without Landlords authority, allowing you to review the quotations provided and remain comfortable and in control of the costs.
Company Director and ARLA-qualified lettings professional Jason Hallowes comments:
“Since establishing our lettings business in 2007, the feedback we have received from landlords has been nothing short of remarkable. Landlords want a straightforward and honest company to look after their properties—and that is exactly what we are. We now manage more than 700 properties, giving us the knowledge and experience to deal confidently with every eventuality.”
Our dedicated property management team is always available to offer advice and practical support—whatever the situation and however big or small. We take great pride in ensuring all properties are looked after & go that extra mile to make sure tenants enjoy the stay in one of our landlords’ properties.
We understand how important clear & concise information needs to be, and Landlords are given the best possible level of service throughout the entire length of a tenancy.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
The achievable rent for a property depends on much more than its number of bedrooms or postcode.
We consider recently agreed rents for comparable properties, current competing properties, tenant demand and the precise location of the home. We also take into account its size, condition, presentation, energy efficiency and features such as parking, outside space, storage and the standard of the kitchen and bathrooms.
Presentation can make a significant difference. A clean, well-maintained and thoughtfully presented property will generally create a stronger first impression and may attract a wider choice of prospective tenants.
Rental markets can also change relatively quickly as the supply of available property and tenant demand fluctuate. For this reason, an up-to-date rental appraisal from an experienced local letting agent is considerably more useful than relying solely on historic rents or an automated online estimate.
Our objective is to recommend a realistic rental price that reflects current market conditions and attracts suitable tenants while achieving the best sustainable return for the landlord.
Yes. Slades provides rental market appraisals without an upfront valuation fee.
One of our experienced Lettings team will assess the property, discuss current tenant demand and advise what we believe it could realistically achieve in the current rental market.
We will also advise on presentation and, where appropriate, identify maintenance or improvements that we believe could make the property more attractive to tenants or improve its longer-term lettability.
That does not necessarily mean recommending expensive refurbishment. Sometimes relatively small improvements to presentation, decoration, cleanliness or maintenance can make a considerable difference.
If you subsequently decide to instruct Slades, we will explain the costs associated with the lettings service you choose before proceeding.
Rental valuation combines market evidence with detailed local knowledge.
We look at rents recently achieved for genuinely comparable properties rather than simply relying on the asking rents of homes currently advertised. We also consider the number of competing rental properties available, current tenant enquiries, location, property type, condition, presentation and any features likely to increase or reduce demand.
Two apparently similar properties can achieve different rents because of their precise position, condition, parking, garden, outlook or specification.
Rental conditions can also change surprisingly quickly as available stock and tenant demand fluctuate.
Since May 2026, rental properties advertised in writing must also have a specific asking rent and landlords and agents cannot encourage or accept rental bids above that advertised figure. This makes setting an appropriate asking rent from the outset particularly important.
4. What is included in your fully managed lettings service?
Our fully managed service is designed for landlords who want Slades to deal with the day-to-day management of their property and tenancy.
The service begins with advising on rental value, marketing the property, conducting viewings and identifying suitable prospective tenants. Applicants are then referenced and the appropriate Right to Rent checks are completed before a tenancy proceeds.
We can arrange the tenancy documentation, deposit protection, inventory and check-in process and collect the rent on the landlord’s behalf.
Once the tenant has moved in, our property management team becomes their main point of contact for day-to-day management matters. We coordinate reported maintenance, obtain quotations where necessary, communicate with tenants and contractors and keep the landlord informed.
We also monitor important property-management and compliance matters, arrange periodic inspections and help landlords keep track of requirements such as gas, electrical and other relevant safety documentation.
At the end of a tenancy we can coordinate the check-out process and deal with the return of the protected deposit or any proposed deductions.
Some third-party services and additional administration are charged separately, so landlords should refer to our current Landlord Services & Fees information for full details.
The purpose of the managed service is to remove much of the day-to-day workload from the landlord while providing experienced professional oversight of the tenancy.
With a tenant-find service, Slades markets the property, arranges viewings, identifies prospective tenants, undertakes referencing and Right to Rent checks and prepares the tenancy for occupation.
Once the tenant has moved in, responsibility for the ongoing management of the property passes back to the landlord, subject to the particular service agreed.
The landlord will therefore normally deal directly with the tenant, collect or administer the rent as appropriate, arrange maintenance and repairs, manage ongoing compliance requirements and ensure that certificates and other legal obligations remain up to date.
With our fully managed service, Slades continues to manage the tenancy after the tenant moves in. This includes rent collection, day-to-day tenant communication, maintenance coordination, inspections and assistance with ongoing compliance and the eventual end-of-tenancy process.
The increasing complexity of residential letting means some landlords prefer a managed service because they do not want to administer these responsibilities themselves.
The cost depends on the level of service required.
Slades’ current fully managed service carries a monthly management fee generally between 10% and 12% plus VAT of the rent collected. Different arrangements apply to overseas landlords.
There are also separate charges for certain services, including tenancy set-up, referencing, deposit registration, inventories, check-in and check-out services and other additional work where required.
Our tenant-find service uses a different fee structure.
We believe it is important that landlords understand the complete cost of a service rather than looking only at the headline management percentage, so we provide a detailed schedule of our Landlord Services & Fees on our website.
Fees can change, so the published fee schedule should always be referred to for the most up-to-date information.
Slades uses Goodlord to undertake comprehensive tenant referencing.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the process can include identity verification, affordability and income checks, credit information, employment checks and previous landlord references.
The appropriate Right to Rent checks are also completed before an adult occupies a rented property in England.
Referencing is intended to provide landlords with a clearer understanding of an applicant’s circumstances and ability to meet the commitments of the tenancy. Slades will discuss the outcome of the referencing process with the landlord before a tenancy proceeds.
No referencing process can eliminate every possible future risk, because a tenant’s personal or financial circumstances can change. However, careful referencing is an important part of reducing avoidable risk when selecting a tenant.
There is no single timescale that applies to every rental property.
An accurately priced, well-presented property in an area experiencing strong demand can sometimes attract suitable applications very quickly. Other properties may take longer depending on their location, rental price, condition and the number of competing homes available.
Our priority is not simply to find the fastest possible tenant, but to find an applicant who is suitable for the property and who satisfactorily completes the necessary referencing and Right to Rent checks.
Where there are several suitable applicants, we can discuss their applications with the landlord so an informed decision can be made using appropriate and lawful criteria.
Correct pricing and strong presentation from the beginning remain two of the most important factors in minimising unnecessary time on the market.
Landlords have a number of legal safety responsibilities, and the precise requirements will depend on the property and its facilities.
Where there is gas at the property, relevant gas appliances and flues supplied by the landlord must normally undergo an annual Gas Safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Electrical installations must be inspected and tested by a suitably qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report specifies an earlier date. This is usually documented through an Electrical Installation Condition Report, commonly known as an EICR.
Rental properties that require an Energy Performance Certificate must have a valid EPC and, unless a valid exemption applies, properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards must currently achieve at least an E rating.
Landlords must also provide the required smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke alarms are required on each storey used as living accommodation, while carbon monoxide alarms are required in rooms used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker.
There can be additional requirements for particular types of property, including Houses in Multiple Occupation.
With our fully managed service, Slades helps landlords monitor relevant renewal dates and arrange appropriate inspections and certification where required.
In most circumstances, yes.
A valid Energy Performance Certificate is normally required when a property is marketed for letting, and an EPC is generally valid for ten years unless a newer certificate is produced.
For domestic private rented properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, the property must currently achieve an EPC rating of at least E, unless an appropriate exemption applies and has been correctly registered where required.
Listed or historically protected buildings are not automatically exempt from requiring an EPC simply because they are listed. Whether an exemption applies can depend upon whether complying with energy-performance requirements would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the building.
If an EPC is required and your property does not currently have a valid one, Slades can arrange an assessment on your behalf.
Where Slades is responsible for protecting the tenancy deposit, we use the TDS Custodial scheme operated by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
The deposit must be dealt with in accordance with the statutory deposit-protection requirements, including protection within the required timescale and provision of the appropriate information to the tenant.
Using a custodial scheme means the tenancy deposit is held by the deposit-protection provider during the tenancy rather than being retained as money belonging to the landlord or agent.
At the end of the tenancy, landlord and tenant can agree how the deposit should be returned. If deductions are proposed for matters such as damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, these should be supported by appropriate evidence.
Where landlord and tenant cannot agree, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme provides an independent dispute-resolution process.
Correct deposit protection is an important part of landlord compliance, and failure to follow the rules can have significant legal and financial consequences.
Regular inspections are an important part of good property management, but they must also respect the tenant’s right to live in the property without unnecessary intrusion.
For properties managed by Slades, we normally arrange an inspection during the first six months of the tenancy. If the property is being well cared for and there are no particular concerns, subsequent inspections will generally take place annually, although the frequency can be adjusted where circumstances justify it.
Our inspections are carried out independently and landlords receive a report, including photographs where appropriate.
The inspection provides an opportunity to identify maintenance issues, observe the general condition of the property and highlight anything requiring attention. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can also be checked as part of the process.
If we identify a potential breach of the tenancy or an issue with the condition of the property, we can raise it with the tenant and advise the landlord on the appropriate next steps.
Tenants are given appropriate notice before an inspection is carried out.
For properties fully managed by Slades, tenants report maintenance issues to us through our online repair-reporting system.
For routine repairs, we can arrange for an appropriate contractor to assess the problem and obtain quotations where necessary. The landlord is kept informed and approval obtained in accordance with the management arrangements agreed with us.
Landlords can also ask us to use their preferred contractors where practical.
Urgent situations are treated differently. Where immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect the occupants or prevent serious additional damage to the property, it may not always be practical to wait for the normal quotation and approval process. Our management arrangements therefore allow us to respond appropriately to genuine emergencies within the authority agreed with the landlord.
Tenants in managed properties are also provided with information about dealing with genuine out-of-hours emergencies.
Where damage has resulted from a tenant’s actions rather than normal maintenance or the landlord’s repairing responsibilities, we will advise both parties how responsibility should be addressed.
Rent arrears need to be dealt with promptly and professionally.
If a tenant falls behind with their rent on a property managed by Slades, we will contact them, establish what has happened and keep the landlord informed. Sometimes arrears arise from a temporary problem that can be resolved before it becomes more serious.
Where arrears continue, the landlord may ultimately need to consider the legal remedies available to recover the money and, where appropriate, regain possession of the property.
Following the tenancy reforms introduced in May 2026, landlords can no longer use Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction. Rent arrears are instead dealt with through the appropriate possession grounds and legal process. Different grounds can apply depending on the circumstances and level or pattern of arrears.
Slades also offers landlords access to optional Rent Protection and Legal Expense Cover. This can provide valuable protection if a tenant becomes unable to pay their rent and can include legal-expense cover associated with recovering possession, subject to the insurer’s eligibility requirements, policy terms, limits and exclusions.
We strongly recommend that landlords consider the financial consequences of rent arrears before a tenancy begins rather than waiting until a problem occurs.
Residential letting in England has undergone significant change, particularly following the implementation of the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 on 1 May 2026.
Most existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and new qualifying private tenancies are now generally periodic rather than having a fixed end date.
Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction has been abolished. Landlords who need to recover possession must use an appropriate legal ground and follow the correct notice and court procedure.
There are also new rules affecting rent increases. For most assured periodic tenancies, rent can generally be increased only once in a 12-month period using the statutory process and appropriate notice.
Rental bidding has been prohibited. A written property advertisement must state a specific asking rent and landlords and agents cannot encourage or accept an offer above that advertised amount.
Landlords cannot discriminate against prospective tenants simply because they have children or receive benefits.
Tenants also have a statutory right to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords must consider the request and cannot refuse it without a valid reason.
The rules surrounding rent in advance have also changed, with restrictions on when rent can be requested and how much can normally be collected before a tenancy begins.
Further reforms are being introduced in phases. The Government intends to begin rolling out the new Private Rented Sector Database from late 2026, with additional measures following subsequently.
This is why professional management has become increasingly attractive to landlords who do not have the time or experience to continually monitor regulatory changes.
Slades Lettings monitors changes affecting the private rented sector and adapts its procedures accordingly, helping our managed landlords understand and meet the requirements affecting their properties and tenancies.
Because legislation continues to evolve, landlords should always seek current advice rather than relying on information prepared when a tenancy originally began.
This is no longer simply a matter of applying a blanket ‘no pets’ policy.
Since 1 May 2026, a tenant with an assured tenancy can make a written request to keep a pet. A landlord must consider that request and cannot refuse it without a fair reason.
A landlord normally has 28 days to respond in writing, although the timetable can be extended where further information about the pet is reasonably requested.
There are circumstances in which refusing permission may be reasonable. For example, the property may be unsuitable for a particular animal, another occupier may have a relevant allergy, or a landlord who owns a leasehold property may themselves be prevented from keeping pets by the superior lease or freeholder.
However, simply disliking pets or having experienced problems with a previous tenant’s pet would not normally be sufficient reason on its own.
There can also be practical advantages to accepting suitable pets. It increases the potential pool of tenants and some pet owners may be particularly keen to establish a stable, longer-term home.
We recommend considering each request individually, taking account of both the tenant and the suitability of the particular pet for the property.
Yes. Slades manages properties for landlords who live elsewhere in the UK and overseas.
A fully managed service can be particularly valuable when a landlord is not close enough to deal personally with inspections, maintenance, contractors or tenant enquiries.
Our team can act as the main day-to-day point of contact, coordinate repairs and maintenance and keep you updated by email, telephone or other agreed methods.
Some landlords also agree an expenditure limit with us so that routine maintenance below an agreed figure can be dealt with without requiring individual approval on every occasion, helping avoid unnecessary delays.
Additional tax requirements can apply to landlords whose usual place of abode is outside the UK. Under HMRC’s Non-resident Landlord Scheme, letting agents may be required to deduct tax from rental income unless HMRC has authorised the landlord to receive the rent gross.
We can administer the relevant aspects of the scheme that apply to us as managing agent, although landlords should obtain their own tax advice regarding their individual circumstances.
Reducing unnecessary void periods starts before the existing tenant leaves.
Once appropriate notice has been received, we can discuss suitable viewing arrangements with the tenant so that marketing can begin while the property is still occupied, subject to reasonable access arrangements.
Correct pricing is particularly important. Setting a rent above the level supported by the market can result in a longer vacancy, and the rent lost during several empty weeks can easily outweigh the benefit of achieving a slightly higher monthly figure.
Presentation also matters. Through our inspections and management of the property, we will often already have a good understanding of work that may be needed before it is re-let.
Our team can coordinate cleaning, decoration, carpet cleaning, gardening and maintenance where required, allowing necessary work to be planned rather than discovered only after the previous tenant has left.
Slades normally allows an appropriate period between tenancies so that the property can be properly checked and prepared for its next occupants rather than simply moving one tenant out and another in immediately.
The objective is therefore not to eliminate every day of vacancy at any cost. It is to minimise unnecessary void time while ensuring the property is properly prepared, compliant and ready for the next tenancy.
Legislation last reviewed: August 2026
Landlord and tenant legislation can change. The information above is intended as general guidance rather than legal or tax advice. Landlords should speak to the Slades Lettings team about the requirements affecting their individual property and tenancy.