Switch to AH&L without disturbing your tenant.

Why switching is simpler than people expect

Your tenancy agreement is between you and your tenant, not your agent. So when the management moves to us, nothing about the tenancy changes: the same tenant, the same rent, the same agreement. What changes is who collects the rent, who answers the phone when the boiler goes, and who keeps your certificates and deposit paperwork in order.

Most of the work is paperwork between the two agents, and we do that part. Your job is to check your current agreement, give notice, and tell us when to start.

How the switch works, step by step

1. Talk to us first. Tell us about the home, the tenant and your current arrangement. We’ll say exactly what we need and answer your questions before you commit to anything. No obligation.
2. Check your current agreement. Look for the notice period, any fee for leaving, and whether any fees carry on while the same tenant stays. Not sure what it means? Send it to us and we’ll talk you through it.
3. Give notice to your current agent. In writing, in line with your agreement. We can give you a short template letter. The notice period in your agreement sets most of the timetable for the switch.
4. We collect the paperwork. We ask your current agent for the tenancy agreement, deposit protection certificate and prescribed information, gas safety record, electrical report (EICR), Energy Performance Certificate, the inventory, the rent record and the tenant’s contact details. We’ll tell you as soon as we have everything, and agree the changeover date with you.
5. Your tenant is told. We write to your tenant together with you, explaining who to contact from the changeover date and where to pay the rent. Nothing else changes for them.
6. The deposit moves. The deposit must stay protected throughout. We check how it’s held now and arrange the transfer or re-protection through the scheme, with fresh paperwork for your tenant.
7. We take over. From the changeover date we collect the rent, inspect, arrange repairs, track your certificates and deadlines, and deal with notices. Your first statement arrives on your usual payment date.

What we take over

• Rent collection, arrears follow-up and a monthly statement
• Regular inspections with written reports
• Repairs and maintenance through insured contractors
• The deposit: transfer, protection and release at the end
• Gas, electrical, EPC and alarm deadlines, with reminders before anything lapses
• Rent reviews (Section 13) and, if ever needed, possession notices (Section 8)
• Help with your entry on the national landlord database once registration opens for our area on 15 January 2027
• Re-letting if your tenant gives notice, before the void begins

Our switching offer

Move the management of your home to us from another agent and your first month’s management is free.

• No management fee is taken from your first month’s rent.
• Our takeover fee of £250 + VAT (£300 inc. VAT) still applies.
• Our usual Terms of Business apply, including the 12-month minimum term and three months’ notice.
• It can’t be combined with any other offer, or with a referral from a partner agent.

To claim it, just mention this page when you call us or book a valuation.

What it costs after the offer

Our takeover fee is £250 + VAT (£300 inc. VAT), the same as our normal set-up fee. It’s charged when the new tenancy agreement is signed, and it also applies if the same tenant stays and no new agreement is signed. Fully Managed is then 10% + VAT of the monthly rent (12% inc. VAT). There’s no renewal fee when your tenant stays. Every fee is published here, and you can get our Terms of Business before you decide. To see how our fees sit against other St Albans agents’ published fees, read our guide to letting agent fees in St Albans.

Questions landlords ask about switching