I’ve worked in the residential lettings business for nearly 30 years, a time in which renting in the UK has changed almost beyond recognition.

When I first set out, the 1988 Housing Act was just starting to revolutionise the market for private landlords and tenants. Previously, landlords had little real control over tenancies and feared that, once let, they would never get their property back. They preferred to minimise the risk and deal mainly with companies in search of accommodation for employees. The introduction of assured shorthold tenancies changed that and confidence in the private rentals sector grew.

Over the years, and through downturns and recoveries, one of the things that has struck me most is how attitudes have changed regarding letting. The perception of what it means to be a landlord and tenant has undergone a real shift, driven by economic necessity certainly but also increasingly by choice. It’s not uncommon now for a family to rent in order to be near a good school, for example, letting out their old home in the meantime.

Today’s industry is governed by more than 450 pieces of legislation from vital health and safety standards to rules over handling deposits. Get it wrong and a landlord can be in trouble. That’s where an experienced agent can add value: think three Ps - pace, price and, most important of all, peace of mind.

A good agent should be able to show how quickly they can find a tenant and advise on achievable rental values. They should be able to pinpoint what, if anything, needs to be done to the property and how to do it. Landlords should also choose an agent who is a member of a regulatory body such as ARLA Propertymark, of which I’m a past president (that advice goes for tenants too).

Before venturing into lettings all those years ago, I trained as a classical dancer at the Royal Ballet School. The similarity between those two worlds may not be immediately apparent but both can be tough and challenging. I learned a mindset then that serves me well every single day – that discipline, practice and more practice get results. Just when you think you’ve reached the limit of your abilities, you try that little bit harder. And, as I constantly tell my colleagues, you realise that every experience can be turned into a positive lesson. I’m an optimist by nature and a bit of a perfectionist. That was good; how can I make it better?

OK, back to those three Ps. I think I’ll make that four. Pirouette. Can I really do another one? Let’s go for it.

Voices of Experience

'Pace, price and peace of mind – what landlords need to know' is part of Voices of Experience, a series of blogs inspired by the new Savills marketing campaign. In this series some of our most experienced agents will be sharing what they’ve learned about the property market over the decades.