LetSimple Switch for Life: Popular Questions
Interested in the service but have a few questions? From help with switching costs to frozen management fees and database registration, here’s how 'LetSimple Switch for Life' works. Explore the answers below to understand what’s included, what happens next and how Cope & Co. can help you make the move. No jargon. Just straightforward answers!
What is LetSimple?
LetSimple is Cope & Co.’s fully managed monthly subscription service for landlords.
It brings together the day-to-day work of letting and managing your property, including finding tenants, referencing, tenancy paperwork, rent collection, inspections and ongoing property management. It also includes compliance support and rent guarantee protection, subject to the applicable terms and eligibility.
We’ll explain exactly what your subscription covers and any separately chargeable services before you decide to join.
What is LetSimple Switch for Life?
It’s our offer for qualifying landlords moving their properties from another letting agent to LetSimple. There are three main benefits:
Help with switching costs: A contribution of up to £240.00 + VAT per qualifying property towards your existing agent’s notice or termination fees.
A management fee frozen for life: Your agreed management fee stays the same for as long as Cope & Co. manages your property.
PRS Database registration support included: We include the work required to register your property on the new PRS Database and cover the £65.00 annual registration fee per property within the service.
We’ll also agree a transfer plan with you and coordinate the handover.
Who is the service for?
LetSimple Switch for Life is designed for landlords who already use a letting agent and are considering a change.
Perhaps you want better communication, more consistent support or a management fee you can plan around. You might have several properties with different agents and want to bring them together with one management partner.
If you own a portfolio of three or more properties, we’re happy to talk. We’ll check the location, current arrangements and suitability of each property before confirming eligibility.
If you currently manage your own properties, ask us about joining LetSimple. The switching contribution is specifically towards eligible charges from an existing agent.
Fees and commitment
How much will you contribute towards switching?
We’ll contribute up to £240.00 = VAT per qualifying property towards evidenced notice or termination fees charged by your current letting agent.
The contribution is based on eligible costs actually incurred, up to that limit. For example, an eligible charge of £180 could attract a £180 contribution. An eligible charge of £300 could attract the maximum £240 contribution, leaving £60 for you to pay.
If you’re transferring several properties, we’ll assess each one and confirm the total contribution in writing.
How is the switching contribution paid?
We’ll confirm the amount, payment method and timing in your written switching proposal before you commit.
We’ll need evidence of the eligible charges, such as your current agent’s agreement and an invoice or written breakdown. This allows us to confirm what we can contribute and whether there is any balance for you to pay.
Please speak to us before giving notice or making arrangements on the assumption that a charge will be covered.
What does fixed for life actually mean?
Your agreed management fee stays frozen for as long as Cope & Co. manages the property under your LetSimple Switch for Life agreement.
It gives you certainty about that management fee, without an annual increase to the agreed amount.
“For life” describes our fee promise. It does not mean you are agreeing to stay with us forever!
Does the fee freeze cover every property expense?
No. The promise applies to your agreed management fee.
Property repairs, contractor invoices, compliance certificate costs and other costs outside that fee are not frozen. Your written proposal will explain what is included, any separately chargeable services and how VAT is treated.
We want you to understand the full picture before you decide.
Is there a minimum contract term?
Yes. LetSimple Switch for Life has a minimum 12-month contract term.
We invest in the start of the relationship through the switching contribution and included benefits, and that initial commitment supports the offer. We’re making an investment in your move to Cope & Co., and a minimum 12-month term gives us a reasonable period of time to demonstrate the value of our service.
It allows us offer these benefits alongside a frozen management fee and included PRS Database registration support. After that first year, we want you to stay because you’re happy with the service. “For life” is our promise about your agreed management fee, not a requirement to stay forever.
We’ll explain the notice requirements and how the agreement continues after the first 12 months before you sign.
Registration and the handover
What does the PRS Database registration benefit include?
Within the service, we include support to gather the required information and carry out the work needed to register your property on the new Private Rented Sector Database. We also cover the £65.00 annual registration fee per property.
We’ll explain what information and documents are required, help identify gaps and guide you through any steps that require your involvement as the registration service becomes available.
You’ll still need to provide accurate information, tell us about relevant changes and authorise any work required. If the property needs inspections, remedial work or replacement certificates, we’ll explain any separate costs before arranging them.
The ultimate responsibility for registering your property and ensuring the information is accurate and kept up to date remains with you as the landlord. We’re here to make the process easier and reduce the administration, while helping you meet your responsibilities.
Can I switch while tenants are living in the property?
Yes, a change of managing agent can usually be arranged while your tenants remain in place. You do not normally need to wait for the property to become empty.
We’ll review the existing tenancy and management arrangements, agree a suitable transfer date and coordinate the handover of the relevant records, keys and management information.
We’ll also agree how tenants will be informed, including who to contact and any changes to rent payment instructions. The aim is to make the transition clear for everyone involved.
Will I have to organise the switch myself?
You’ll need to make the decision, provide the information we require and give us authority to act. We’ll then coordinate the handover with your current agent and keep you informed.
Some instructions or approvals may need to come directly from you, but we’ll explain what is needed and when. You shouldn’t have to work out the whole process on your own.
What if I don’t know my current notice period or leaving fees?
That’s a common starting point, so don’t let it stop you getting in touch.
If you have a copy of your current agent’s agreement, we can help identify the notice and charging provisions relevant to a transfer. We may also need a written breakdown of charges from the agent.
A fee does not automatically become enforceable simply because it appears in a signed agreement. Where consumer protection law applies, unfair contract terms are not binding. Whether a particular term is unfair depends on its wording, how it was presented and the circumstances.
If we identify a notice requirement or leaving fee that we believe may be unfair, we’ll explain our concerns and discuss the next steps with you before proceeding. This may include recommending independent legal advice to clarify your position and/or discussing it with your current agent.
We’ll help you understand what needs checking, rather than assume every charge must be paid or can simply be ignored. If anything is unclear or disputed, you may need independent advice before taking action. We’ll build the transfer plan around the arrangements that have been confirmed.
Planning your move
Should I give my current agent notice now?
Please speak to us first.
Before notice is given, we should confirm eligibility, review your current arrangements and agree the proposed fees, terms and transfer plan.
Getting the sequence right helps avoid unnecessary overlap, unexpected costs or confusion for your tenants.
How long does switching take?
The timing depends on your existing notice period, the availability of the necessary records and any issues that need resolving before the transfer.
Once we understand your arrangements, we’ll agree a realistic timetable and keep you updated. We’d rather give you a clear plan than promise a transfer date before we’ve checked the details.
Can I move a portfolio from several different agents?
Yes. We can discuss bringing properties managed by different agents together under LetSimple.
Each property may have a different notice period or handover date, so the transfers may happen in stages. We’ll map that out with you and confirm the proposed fee and switching contribution for each qualifying property.
The result is one management partner and a more coordinated approach to your portfolio.
Why is Cope & Co. offering this?
You’ve invested in your properties. We believe we should invest in earning your business.
Agents often grow by buying other businesses and taking over portfolios. We’re applying that thinking on a smaller scale, investing in new landlord relationships one property at a time.
Helping with the cost of moving gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our service. Looking after you properly gives you a reason to stay.
That’s what “relationships over transactions” means to us.
Have I committed to anything by completing the enquiry form?
Not at all. Completing the form simply tells us you’d like to know more.
We’ll contact you to understand your property or portfolio, discuss your current arrangements and explain what we could offer. You can then review the proposal and terms before deciding whether to proceed.
