landlord guide
landlord guide

Letting made simple

Letting your property doesn’t need to be stressful. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or manage a growing portfolio, the team at Sears makes every step straightforward, transparent and efficient.

Our local expertise across Bracknell, Wokingham and Berkshire ensures you achieve a strong rental return while keeping your property fully compliant and well-maintained. Here’s our simple step-by-step guide to help you understand how the process works.

Understand the process of lettings

Step-by-step letting guide

The first step is to understand what your property is worth on the rental market. Our local valuers will assess your home based on its location, condition and current demand to provide a realistic rental figure, not an inflated one. We’ll also offer advice on presentation, furnishing and small improvements that can help maximise your income and attract quality tenants quickly.

Book your free valuation in Bracknell or Wokingham today.

Once you’re ready to let, we’ll create a professional listing designed to make your property stand out.

This includes:

  • Professional photography and floorplans
  • Listings on Rightmove and OnThe Market
  • Exposure through our own website and social media channels
  • Proactive tenant matching from our local database

Our marketing is focused on attracting the right tenants, not just the first tenants.

We handle all tenant enquiries, viewings and negotiations on your behalf. Every applicant undergoes comprehensive referencing, including credit checks, employment verification and previous landlord references. This thorough process ensures your property is let to reliable tenants who will look after your home.

Once you’ve approved a tenant, we’ll prepare all the necessary documentation and ensure every legal requirement is met.

We handle:

  • Tenancy agreements compliant with current legislation
  • Deposit registration with a government-approved scheme
  • Right to Rent and safety certificate checks (Gas, EICR, EPC)

With our expert guidance, you’ll always remain compliant and protected.

When your tenants move in, our management team takes over, providing regular inspections, maintenance coordination and professional support throughout the tenancy. We’re based locally, so you and your tenants always have a dedicated point of contact. Our goal is to ensure your investment is cared for and your tenants remain happy, reducing void periods and protecting your returns.

As the tenancy approaches renewal, we’ll conduct a rent review and advise on market conditions. We handle renewals and any required notices, ensuring your property remains profitable and legally up to date. For portfolio landlords, we also offer strategic guidance to help you expand and strengthen your investments across Berkshire.

Why let with Sears

  • Trusted letting experts across Bracknell, Wokingham and surrounding areas
  • Flexible landlord packages - Fully Managed, Rent Collection and Let Only
  • Hands-on local service and in-house property management
  • Proactive communication and clear advice at every stage
  • Easy online maintenance reporting through Fixflo, making repairs simpler for both landlords and tenants
  • Support for landlords who live outside the area, are based overseas, or are planning to move abroad
  • Rent and legal protection for added reassurance and peace of mind
  • A practical, compliant approach to helping your let run smoothly

At Sears, we’re here to make letting your property simple, compliant and rewarding from day one.

property letting guide
property letting guide

Real words, real reviews

What our clients say about us

4.9/5 Customer rating

Rating

Sears have been an incredible help throughout our search for a new property. I can't thank Kiera, Andy, and Jess enough for their patience, support, and dedication in helping us find the perfect home. Moving to a new area can be overwhelming and daunting, but they made the entire process so much easier. They were always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and support us every step of the way. Thank you, Kiera, Andy, and Jess, for your outstanding service and for making what could have been a stressful experience such a positive one. I would highly recommend Sears to anyone looking for a property!

Nelum Fiodorov

1 month ago

I have just come out of a difficult divorce and was looking to purchase a house for myself and my children. The thought of viewing properties on my own was a bit daunting for me. I first made contact with Sears Estate agents in Wokingham a few months ago and viewed two properties that they were marketing. I met Poppy at both viewings, she was warm, friendly, and professional as well as being very knowledgeable about the properties. Unfortunately, I did not have a buyer for my property so was unable to put in an offer or purchase with Sears. However, I was very impressed that Poppy and her colleague Amy, acknowledged my property search and contacted me recently about another suitable property, before it was marketed live on websites. They were very efficient in arranging a viewing for me promptly. I was met at the property by Alison, who was again, very warm, friendly, welcoming, patient and open to questions. After the viewing, I went to Sears estate agents office in Wokingham town centre, where I was met in a friendly manner and offered a hot drink, which was a nice touch. Poppy assisted me with the administration involved in putting an offer forward, as I had unfortunately left my glasses in my car! She was very helpful and patient and explained how the process of putting the offer forward to the vendor worked. I was very impressed with the office layout, clean lines, modern decor and comfortable chairs. I would like to mention that I was very impressed with my experience with Sears, Wokingham, the staff are excellent role models and ambassadors for Sears, keep up the good work. Allison Radcliffe 😀

Allison

1 month ago

Had the pleasure of being shown around by Aimee from the Wokingham office at a property answered all of my questions and was very helpful and knowledgeable of the house and local area

Robert Cox

1 month ago

Exceptional service and outstanding communication from Sears especially Matt Reynolds who assisted with the sale of shared ownership property. It has been a pleasure to deal with such a kind, professional and honest estate agent. Always communicating clearly and efficiently, keeping me updated all the time and chasing when needed. I can highly recommend! Thank you Matt!

Petra Malyjurkova

2 months ago

Poppy is a lovely estate agent who helped me find my first home, greatly appreciated and will go for their help again in the future.

andrew nash

2 months ago

At Estate Services we provide end of tenancy cleaning and property management services and it is always a pleasure to work with Jake at Sears. Jake is approachable, friendly, and genuinely easy to deal with, which makes a real difference in this industry. What I appreciate most is his honest, no nonsense approach and the way he gets things done efficiently without overcomplicating matters. Communication is always straightforward, and you always know where you stand with him. It is refreshing to work with someone who values good working relationships and treats people with respect. I would highly recommend Jake to any potential landlord and look forward to continuing to provide services to him and his team in the future. Thank you!

Nikki Surtees

2 months ago

The entire Sears team, especially Jessica, Keira, and Freddie, have been absolutely excellent from minute one. From the initial viewing right the way through to contract signings, arranging the inventory, and to payments, the team were always on-hand to assist in any way possible, whilst ensuring replies were prompt and clear. As someone who rented for 6 years in a previous property, I felt like a renting newbie again! But Sears have been a faultless, reassuring partner throughout.

Theo Tsangaris

2 months ago

Working with Poppy in the Sears team has been an absolute pleasure, communication is clear and frequent, next actions have always been addressed - we've been kept in the loop throughout our process so far. Poppy's personal approach is the reason why we have felt confidence in our buying process and we look forward to getting over the line in the coming months.

Ben

2 months ago

I cannot thank Emma and Rob at Sears enough! We had super tight deadlines to sell our home and if it wasn’t for them it wouldn’t have been achieved and we wouldn’t have had our offer accepted on our purchase. Our property was live and on Rightmove in less than a week. I had six viewings the first day, and a further three the day after. It sold within 48 hours. Professional, knowledgeable, prompt and highly commendable. Just wow - thank you!!!!

Kathryn Louise

3 months ago

Poppy at Sears has been excellent in the sale of my property. She is friendly, knowledgeable and has the highest levels of integrity. She spends time understanding the Seller and Purchasers needs….building a strong basis of trust right from the get go.

NIGEL NELMS

3 months ago