- Methods of obtaining data
My initial source of data was Internet searches in the Swansea area, which proved unreliable because the established estate agents compile letting lists, which are only obtainable from their premises. Letting agencies however provide more than adequate amounts of information of available properties on their individual websites.
I therefore spent time browsing around and obtaining as many letting lists on three and four bedroomed houses in Swansea and the area. I also spoke to the estate agents themselves who in each case explained the letting procedure to me in detail. Although in most cases, a flat rate fee of £125 was payable for the administration fee. They also explained to me the current lack in four bedroomed houses available for rental purposes.
Having collated as much information as I could on the current situation for three and four bedroomed housing in Swansea for rental, I came to the conclusion that the best way of presenting this data would be in the form of spreadsheets. I have created individual spreadsheets for each individual agency that I have used as an information source.
Each individual spreadsheet shows the monthly rental cost, the bond needed in the first month of occupation, the administration fee where applicable, cost of credit searches and guarantor fees also where applicable.
They also show the average rental per calendar month, the total start up costs for first month of occupancy, the cost for the remaining eleven months of the year, the total rent payable for the first year, the average yearly cost based on the amount of people able to occupy the amount of spaces given in the total sum of houses available from each agency, the full five year rental cost and the average cost per person over the five year period.
- Data and price comparison
All the available properties where compared on the same criteria apart from the agencies which had extra fees payable such as credit searches, guarantor fees and tenancy renewals.
The properties price range varies due to the property location. A property in the Mumbles area for example is approximately £200 more expensive than a property in the centre of Swansea, as Mumbles is a well sought after area.
Comparing the costs of Remax, Darlows and Astley Samuel, the average cost to house a worker over a five year period was £8,700. Their average prices per occupant over a five year period ranged between £8,239 and £9,577.
These were the lowest average cost per occupant that I surveyed.
Two further estate agents Martin & Co and Dawsons ranged between £11,225 and £14,198.
The average cost per occupant for the established estate agents (not Homehunters) over a five year period was just under £10,400. The letting agent surveyed (Homehunters) was £23,204 for the five year period.
To conclude, the established estate agents surveyed provide greater reliability and a wider range of properties than the letting agents surveyed and are on average half the price per property of the letting agent concerned over a five year period, when based on three bedroomed properties currently available.
The estate agents give Myson Vacuum Cleaners more security as all have been established over ten years. They are more able, on the data surveyed, to provide furnished properties in the less expensive areas in and around Swansea.
As mentioned before, and explained by all estate agents, four bedroomed properties are currently scarce. There was however one surveyed at Darlows where costs per person over five years were £11,524. This is currently, the only four bedroomed property available at any of the surveyed letting agents.