For the majority of residential property landlords, "the property they rent out is also their home", explains Elaine Hornby of Countrywide Residential Lettings in that "they are only letting it because they, themselves, are going abroad, or being posted elsewhere in the UK for a period. Because they fully intend to come back to live in their home, they are naturally nervous about letting it to strangers who won't necessarily take proper care of it."

To avoid difficulties, 90 per cent choose to let through an agent, but choosing that agent is a dilemma in itself. How do you make a judgement? Most people base their decision on quality of service, and reputation. A good rule of thumb is membership of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, legal and management support combined with access to the sort of tenant to whom you would like to entrust your home.

With the network of over 80 branches, as well as their specialist relocation and home search teams CRL act on behalf of national and international blue chip companies and local businesses, "to find temporary accommodation for their executives, from chairmen to junior personnel", says Elaine "and we operate the most sophisticated tenant vetting procedures, regardless of who these people are." Nothing is left to chance."

Through the company's own legal department, tailored agreements are drawn up, "so the landlord has no worries about being able to repossess his home", adds Elaine.

"For example, if he's on an open ended contract himself, we can allow for that in the documentation."

All properties are managed by skilled local teams, who regularly inspect to ensure that tenants are adhering to the terms of their agreement, "and we are mandated to carry out any essential repairs as part of our exclusive management package, if that is what a landlord wishes. As far as we're concerned, we care for people's homes as if they were our own."

The company is also able to offer dedicated insurance's, including rent protection. Free valuations are available, together with advice on any essential improvements which would be a property into a higher rental bracket. "It is always our aim to maximise income for our landlords. Limited expenditure at the outset can reap considerable rewards."

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