High street letting agent vs Hilltro
A high street letting agent typically charges a tenant-find fee of around one month's rent, or 8–15% of rent every month for full management, usually with a fixed-term contract and renewal fees. Hilltro charges one flat £49 fee, paid only when you find a tenant, with no commission, no tie-in and management free for life. On a £1,500 pcm tenancy, a 10% management fee is about £1,800 a year; Hilltro is £49 once.
| Feature | Hilltro | High street agent |
|---|---|---|
| Flat, predictable fee | Yes | No |
| Monthly commission on rent | Yes | No |
| Tenant-find fee | Yes | No |
| Renewal fees each time the tenancy rolls | Yes | No |
| Pay only on success | Yes | Partly |
| Tenants referenced before they enquire | Yes | No |
| Identity document and facial match verification | Yes | Partly |
| Affordability visible before you agree a viewing | Yes | No |
| Referencing free for the tenant | Yes | Yes |
| No fixed-term tie-in | Yes | No |
| You choose your own tenant | Yes | Partly |
| You speak to tenants directly | Yes | No |
| Leave whenever you want, keeping your records | Yes | Partly |
| Digital tenancy agreement, signed online | Yes | Partly |
| Deposit protection record stored and shared | Yes | Yes |
| EPC, gas and EICR expiry tracked with reminders | Yes | Partly |
| Statutory notices prepared on the current prescribed forms | Yes | Partly |
| Viewings, offers, messages and payments in one dashboard | Yes | No |
| Joint applicants handled as one linked application | Yes | Partly |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a letting agent cost compared with Hilltro?
High street agents typically charge a tenant-find fee of around one month's rent, or 8–15% of monthly rent plus VAT for full management, often with renewal fees. Hilltro charges one flat £49 fee, paid only when you find a tenant, and management is free for life. On a £1,500 pcm tenancy a 10% management fee is roughly £1,800 a year.
Is Hilltro a letting agent?
No. Hilltro is a platform that connects landlords directly with referenced, identity-verified tenants and provides the tools to run the tenancy. It does not take commission, hold keys, visit properties or manage maintenance.
Do I have to leave my current agent to use Hilltro?
No. You can add an existing tenanted property to Hilltro and use the management tools free while your agent continues, then use Hilltro to find your next tenant when the tenancy ends. Check your agent's notice terms before ending any contract.
Can I use Hilltro if my property is already tenanted?
Yes. Add the property and the tenancy to Hilltro and you get compliance date tracking, the agreement record, deposit protection details, notices and rent records free for life. Tenanted properties are not published publicly.