Landlord guide

Comparing Sarah Mains, Belle Vue Estates, NGU Homes and Rent North East

Considering letting agents in Gateshead, Bensham, Low Fell or Newcastle? This guide from Rent North East helps you ask the same practical questions of each agent. We are an independent alternative and are not affiliated with Sarah Mains, Belle Vue Estates or NGU Homes.

Ask about up to six months with no management fee

Start with a free rental and management review. Management fees on rental income only. Other agreed fees and third-party costs still apply. We confirm eligibility, duration, later fees and any minimum term in writing before you instruct us.

Prefer to talk it through? North East 0191 303 7778 · Manchester 0161 552 7778

Ask about up to six months with no management fee

Management fees on rental income only. Other agreed fees and third-party costs still apply. We will confirm eligibility, duration, later fees and any minimum term in writing before you instruct us. This enquiry does not reserve or guarantee an offer.

Tell us where the property is

Tell us your name, phone number and property postcode. Add more details if you wish.

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No obligation. An honest discussion about your property. Sending an enquiry does not appoint us as your agent. We will use your details to respond to this enquiry. Read our privacy notice to find out how we handle your information.

Letting agents, side by side

Start with the fees and the work included. Then look at the reports and ask who will handle your property.

Compare the same service and property. Fees below include VAT unless stated otherwise.
What to compare	Rent North East	Sarah Mains	NGU Homes	Belle Vue Estates
Monthly management fee	12% (10% + VAT)	15%	11.94% (9.95% + VAT)	Request a current written quote
Management cost at £800 rent	£96	£120	£95.52	Request an £800 rent example
Tenant-find fee at £800 rent	£960	£800 (one month including VAT; £650 minimum)	£537 with management	Request a written quote
Set-up fee for full management	£0	Confirm in your proposal	Confirm in your proposal	Confirm in your proposal
Applicant assessment	Carried out in-house; see our redacted report	Ask who assesses applicants and what you receive	In-house vetting advertised; ask for a sample report	Ask who assesses applicants and what you receive
Inspections and reports	Up to once per quarter included in full management	Two visits per year included	Confirm frequency, cost and sample report	Confirm frequency, cost and sample report
Maintenance overseeing	11% + VAT; original contractor quotes and invoices provided	Confirm all administration charges and invoice access	Confirm all administration charges and invoice access	Confirm all administration charges and invoice access
Introductory management offer	Up to six months with no management fee, subject to a written offer	Ask about current offers and the fee afterwards	Introductory free-management offer advertised; confirm terms	Ask about current offers and the fee afterwards

Published information checked 20 October 2026; sources below. “Request a quote” means we have not verified that detail, not that the agent does not provide it. The £800 examples compare individual fee lines, not total annual costs. Other charges and offer conditions may apply. On a small screen, swipe across the table to see every agent.

What you get with RNE

Applicant checks by our team

We review the evidence, question inconsistencies and give you our findings before you decide.

Clear costs

Published fees and original contractor quotes and invoices, so you can see what you’re paying for.

Inspections with follow-up

We report what we find and coordinate the agreed repairs, access and approvals.

See the RNE service for yourself

View an applicant assessment →View an inspection report →Full fee schedule →Customer reviews →Check my management offer →

More about the local options

Find out what we can do for your property

Tell us about your property and ask whether you qualify for up to six months with no management fee. Other fees apply; we confirm your offer and terms in writing.

Get my free rental review

Sources checked 20 October 2026

Sarah Mains: published services and fee document; Sarah Mains: linked landlord fee PDF; NGU Homes: current landlord fees; Seven Keys: Gateshead management service; Sarah Mains: published offices; Belle Vue Estates: sales and lettings; NGU Homes: coverage and services. Published information can change; request a current written proposal before choosing an agent.