Letting agents in Dorset
Tenant find, rent collection and fully managed lettings across Dorset, from the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation to the market towns and the coast, with both councils' rules handled.
- 4.9/5 ★★★★★ 786 reviews
- 130 properties managed
- Since 2018 letting in Bournemouth
Flexie Estate Agents lets homes across Dorset from our office in Bournemouth: flats and houses in the conurbation, family houses in the market towns and homes on the coast. Landlords choose tenant find, rent collection or full management, and the fee is agreed in writing first. This page is the county view behind our letting agents service.
Two councils, two markets
Where your property is decides both the tenant and the rules.
| BCP Council area | Dorset Council area | |
|---|---|---|
| Towns | Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole | Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood, Wareham, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester and the villages |
| Typical stock | Flats, converted villas, suburban houses | Houses, cottages, bungalows, converted seaside villas |
| Main tenants | Students, hospital staff, relocations, professionals | Families, local workers, commuters, retirees |
| Licensing | Mandatory HMO licensing plus additional licensing in parts of Bournemouth | Mandatory HMO licensing for five or more sharers |
The county as a whole is described on our Dorset area page.
How we let your property
We visit, value the rent and tell you who the tenant will be, starting from the instant rent estimate. We photograph, write the listing for that tenant and market it on the portals and to our registered tenants. Every adult is referenced for identity, Right to Rent, credit, income and a previous landlord, and you see the report first. At move-in we serve the agreement, the How to Rent guide and the certificates, protect the deposit within 30 days and complete a photographed inventory.
The checks everywhere in Dorset
A gas safety certificate where there is gas, an electrical report no more than five years old, smoke alarms on every storey, a carbon monoxide alarm by fixed combustion appliances, an EPC of band E or better, and Right to Rent checks. Dorset has a lot of older stone, cob and thatched housing and homes off mains gas, which can make the EPC minimum harder to reach. Our Renters' Rights Act guide explains how tenancies have worked since May 2026.
Town by town
Each town we cover has its own page: Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Swanage and Weymouth, and in the conurbation Bournemouth and Poole. On the coast, where holiday lets are the local market, Sea Breeze offers holiday let management as the alternative to a tenancy.
Letting from a distance
Many Dorset landlords do not live near their property: they moved away, inherited a home or bought on the coast to let. With full management we are the tenant's first contact, arrange repairs through contractors who cover the area, renew the certificates and send you statements, so you do not need to visit. Further from Bournemouth, we confirm which contractors reach your town before you instruct us, so you know who will answer a call about a boiler or a leak.
Other services across Dorset
To compare letting with selling, see selling your property in Dorset or book a property valuation in Dorset.
The Dorset property market
Dorset splits between BCP Council, for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Dorset Council for everywhere else. The conurbation is a flat-heavy, year-round rental market; the market towns and the coast beyond it are mostly houses and bungalows, with more retirees, second homes and holiday lets and fewer long lets.
Dorset is two rental markets. In the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation most rented homes are flats, and demand runs all year from students, hospital staff, relocations and professionals. Beyond it, under Dorset Council, the market is mostly houses: family homes in Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood and Wareham, flats in converted villas in Swanage and Weymouth, and cottages in the villages. Long lets are scarcer on the coast because many homes are holiday lets or second homes.
The rules a landlord meets depend on the council.
BCP Council runs mandatory HMO licensing and additional licensing for smaller HMOs in parts of Bournemouth.
Dorset Council applies the national mandatory HMO licence for five or more sharers; check its pages for any other scheme at your address.
Council tax. At the time of writing both councils charge a 100% premium on furnished homes that are nobody's main residence.
Across the county, the Renters' Rights Act applies: periodic tenancies, no section 21 and one rent review a year by notice.
Who rents and buys in Dorset
- Retirees and downsizers. Dorset has one of the older populations in England, and bungalows, flats and level homes near shops and the sea sell steadily to retirees from across the south.
- Second homes and holiday lets. The coast from Purbeck to Weymouth and the BCP beaches draw second-home buyers and holiday let owners, which shapes prices and the supply of long lets.
- Workers in the conurbation. Jobs in Bournemouth and Poole bring tenants and buyers to the conurbation and to the market towns within commuting reach.
- Families moving out of cities. Families from London, Bristol and the Home Counties move for schools, space and the coast, often renting first while they find the right town.
Let furnished, from 28 nights, all year round.
A furnished flat in Dorset does not have to sit on a twelve-month tenancy or empty from November. Through the group's platform, Flexiestays, it can be let to contractors, relocations, hospital staff and visiting families for a month or more at a time.
- Stays of a month to several months
- Guests looking for somewhere to live, not a holiday
- Fills the gaps between tenancies and summers
Letting your property in Dorset, step by step
A free valuation
We visit, read the lease and the certificates, and give you a rent range for the property in Dorset with the reasons, plus our fees in writing.
Marketing and referencing
Photographs, a floor plan and the listing go out to the portals and our registered tenants. We show the property and reference every adult before you accept anyone.
Move in, then managed
Tenancy agreement, deposit protection, certificates and a photographed inventory on the day. With management, we collect the rent, inspect and arrange repairs.
Three ways to let, one local team
Tenant find
One fee when the tenant moves in
- Rental valuation and advice
- Photos, floor plan and portal listings
- Viewings and referencing
- Right to Rent checks
- Tenancy agreement and deposit protection
Rent collection
A percentage of the monthly rent
- Everything in tenant find
- Monthly rent collection
- Arrears chased from day one
- Monthly statements
Fully managed
A percentage of the monthly rent
- Everything in rent collection
- Inspections and reports
- Repairs through local contractors
- Gas, electrical and EPC renewals
- The tenant's first call, day and night
Before you choose A free valuation a rent or sale range with the reasons, and our fees in writing - No obligation
- We reply within one working day
- No fees to tenants beyond what the law permits
Other ways to let
- Winter and long staysFurnished lets of 28 nights or more through the group's platform, Flexiestays.
- Holiday let managementThrough Sea Breeze Property Services: 16% commission for holiday let management, no retainer.
- Corporate letsFurnished homes for companies, insurers and relocations, invoiced monthly.
- SellingA sales valuation, marketing and progression to completion.
Fees are confirmed in writing before you instruct us. Tenants pay nothing beyond the permitted payments in the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Our fees in fullLetting agents in Dorset: questions
Where in Dorset do you let homes?
Across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation, and in the towns within reach of our Bournemouth office: Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood, Wareham, Swanage and Weymouth, plus Ringwood and New Milton over the Hampshire border. We confirm the service level and contractors for your address before you instruct us.
Which council licenses my Dorset let?
It depends on the address. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are under BCP Council, which runs mandatory and additional HMO licensing. The rest of the county is under Dorset Council. Check the right council's housing pages before letting to sharers.
Who rents in rural and coastal Dorset?
People who work locally in schools, care, hospitality, farming and the public sector; families who want a market town school; staff at hospitals in Dorchester, Poole and Bournemouth; retirees; and people who moved to work from home. Long lets are scarce on the coast, so good tenants are often waiting.
Is a long let or a holiday let better in Dorset?
In the conurbation and market towns, long lets usually suit. On the coast at Swanage, Weymouth and Purbeck, a holiday let can earn more in season but has costs and quiet months. We compare both, and Sea Breeze manages holiday lets for 16% commission.
What letting services do you offer across Dorset?
Tenant find, rent collection and fully managed. All include marketing, referencing, the tenancy agreement and deposit protection; full management adds inspections, repairs and certificate renewals. Fees are confirmed in writing before you instruct us.
Rated 4.9 on Google
Outstanding from start to finish
The apartment exceeded our expectations with its modern design and thoughtful touches throughout. Walking distance to both the seafront and shopping areas made it incredibly convenient. Clear instructions, responsive host. Would absolutely stay here again on our next visit to Bournemouth.
Modern, clean and superbly located
Lovely apartment in very close proximity to Bournemouth town centre and beach. Modern, very clean and well equipped. Onsite parking was a big plus, making it easy to explore the area. The host was very responsive and helpful throughout our stay.
Second stay, and we'll be back
Great apartment at a perfect location. Jack and the team were so easy to deal with. This is our second time at this apartment block and we'll definitely be returning. Clean, well-maintained, and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Residents and guests of the furnished apartments we let and manage, in their own words, quoted as published. Each rating is the platform's own, read on the date shown. See every review
Letting agents nearby
- Bournemouth
- Poole
- Christchurch
- Wimborne
- Ferndown
- Verwood
- Wareham
- Swanage
- Weymouth
- Studland
- Corfe Castle
- Southbourne
- Letting agents: every area
Other services here: Property valuation in Dorset, Selling your property in Dorset
Ready to let or sell with Flexiestays?
Tell us about the property and we come back with a rent or price range, what it needs before it goes on the market and our fees in writing.