Ensuring potential tenants have passed reference checks came in as the top priority for landlords when selecting an agent to let their property, according to new research by Hunters Estate Agents, which surveyed 2,506 landlords across the country.

The survey shows that nearly 70% of landlords cited referenced tenants as their priority and that the rent achieved on a property did not even appear in the top three factors taken into account by landlords when selecting an agent, with speed of let and trained staff cited as the second and third priorities.

41% of landlords cited finding long term tenants as a key factor, indicating that landlords value reliable and consistent tenants over those that will pay higher rents in the shorter term. Unsurprisingly, 66% of landlords surveyed also mentioned speed of let as a key priority, reflecting the need to avoid empty properties to evade loss of income.

Carrie Alliston, head of lettings at Hunters Property, said: “Whilst it is important to ensure our investors are achieving a good return on their properties, it is reassuring to see that despite rental price increases across the country; our landlords have not cited marketing their properties at the most expensive price possible as a priority for them.”