12th Sept 2025
As an independent letting agent, property manager, and landlord operating in Cheshire East, I understand how confusing and varied termination clauses in letting agent contracts can be.
Whether you’re looking to take over management yourself or switch agents, it’s vital to understand the terms you’re agreeing to as well as the costs involved.
Here’s a streamlined breakdown of what to look out for across different agents, plus seven practical tips to help you review and negotiate your contract effectively.
Key Findings: What Different Agents Require
The termination clauses among well-known letting agents vary significantly. Here’s a concise table capturing their main terms:
| Letting Agent | Notice Period | One-off Exit Fee | Ongoing Fees After Termination |
| Connells | 6 months (not during fixed term) | None | Still pay for remainder of fixed term |
| Foxtons | None | None | 12% for 2 years, then 8.4% for 2 more years |
| Hamptons | 1 month’s notice | None | 13.2% “Let Only” fee for remainder of 60 months |
| Leaders | If not in fixed term | 2 months’ rent + VAT (withdrawal fee) | None |
| Savills | 28 days anytime | None | Letting fee of 15% until tenant leaves |
Seven Tips to Analyse Termination Provisions Like a Pro
- Locate the termination clause and check if the agreement allows termination outside of a fundamental breach.
- Check the notice period is it reasonable (e.g., up to three months), or overly long?
- Is notice allowed any time? Some agents restrict termination during fixed terms or early periods.
- Identify any exit fee such as withdrawal or setup charges.
- Spot renewal or ongoing fees, some agents expect you to keep paying even after you’ve switched management.
- What happens on early tenancy surrender or property sale? Some agents require full fee payment regardless.
- Negotiate before signing it’s far easier to adjust terms up front than fight over them later.
Why This Matters for You (Especially in Cheshire East)
As someone who handles everything from tenant find to full management having fair and transparent terms helps protect your bottom line and your flexibility. Some agents lock landlords into long-term, costly contracts that continue even when no services are being provided it’s a trap that independent operators should be able to avoid.
Final Thoughts
Termination clauses in letting agent contracts can make or break your control over your properties. By understanding and negotiating these terms before signing, you can avoid unexpected fees and retain the flexibility essential for effective property management. If any agent’s terms seem unfair or opaque, push back, ask questions, and seek clarity especially regarding ongoing fees tied to renewal or lack of ongoing service.
I like to make sure that all my landlords are clear in any Terms and Conditions with regards to using Bruce and Simpson Property Management Ltd
If you have any questions regarding this short blog, as always please feel free to contact me
Why Bruce & Simpson?
IT’S SIMPLE – WE ARE DIFFERENT…
No other Property Management company anywhere offers what we do. The work we do isn’t a job, it’s a passion.
We want to offer our customers the best there is, and with our personalised service and unique partnership with our service team – Work With Group – we offer the complete package under one roof.
Independent. Proactive. Professional.
Our customer reviews
By chance we came across Sandie at Bruce Simpson, having always used “bigger” more well known companies before when needing to find tenants for our rental properties. Never again. The service far exceeded our expectations and went over and beyond, it was worth every penny of the more than reasonable fee payable. Sandie did everything Haybrooks did not. She achieved more in one week than they did in one month, keeping us posted in a kind and friendly way every step of the way. Bruce Simpson excels in providing a personal service, covering every aspect needed effortlessly. Thank you. 100% would recommend to landlords and tenants alike.
I have been working with Bruce & Simpson for nearly a year now. Great communication, fills rooms quickly and solves any problems that arise with tenants!
After feeling disgruntled by the treatment of the high street agent we were using to find new tenants and manage the properties, I was introduced to Sandie and was impressed by her passion and “thinking outside the box” attitude to marketing my properties. Nothing is too much trouble and any maintenance issues are dealt with straight away. Very happy
