Why rent directly with a private landlord and not through a lettings agency?
No administration/application fees, and probably cheaper rent.
Get to know your landlord. - Deal directly with the landlord and not with a middle man. Any possible maintenance issues with the property are sorted much quicker. Most house letting agencies will not disclose landlords contact details, and it's the landlord who ultimately sanctions any repairs/maintenance. Therefore the tenant is reliant on the agency trying to contact the landlord on their behalf.
Letting agencies will not be as tolerant as private landlords when tenants ask to delay payment of rent, maybe due to student loan being occasionally delayed.
Background
My name is David Colligan, I am a local landlord, I work and live locally. My family has owned student properties in the Smithdown area for over 35 years. I am conscientious and pride myself on managing my properties to a very high standard. Unlike renting through a letting agency, by renting directly with a landlord you will receive far greater levels of service. Any problems with my properties are usually rectified same day, unlike letting agencies who have to contact the landlord on tenants behalf to report a problem and then wait for the landlord to agree to resolve the problem.