Our extensive experience and knowledge of the property rental market will help you prepare your property for rent.

Remember, if you’re a landlord, we can help you  market your property and we can manage it too. 

Make Sure Your Property is Clean

This sounds basic, but you need to give your property a good clean. From the carpets to the kitchen cupboards, and from the oven to the bathroom, go through the property and make sure the standards are high. You want the place looked after so you need to get it right at the start so that you attract the right type of tenant.

You could do the work yourself and save money, but you might want to get the professionals in, particularly if the place is really in need of a deep clean.

Get Your Certificates in Order

As a landlord, you have legal responsibilities to the tenant. You will need to make sure the property has:

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

A Gas Safety Certificate

An Electrical Installation Condition Report

These tests must be done by proficient professionals, registered with the regulatory bodies – failure to get these certificates means you could be fined.

We have pre approved contactors who can carry out the necessary assessments and provide the certificates for your property. 

Remember, you want tradespeople who will do an efficient job at the right price (particularly if they have to make necessary repairs).

The Devil is in the Detail

When you find a tenant, you hope they will stay in your property for a while. But, when they do move out, you want to be sure that they haven’t damaged or disposed of any of your items. The best approach is to use a professional to complete a full inventory of the property (included in our fully managed service). This will save you time and money at the end of the tenancy.

Complete all Repairs

Carry out all repairs before a tenant moves in. Get the place decorated if need be. It will be someone elses home, but it’s your asset, so look after it.

You should expect to make repairs as a result of wear and tear, but, if the repairs are required due to the result of a tenant’s actions, you can claim the money back from their deposit.

Put Insurance in Place

When letting your property, make sure it is insured properly. Cover the rebuild, and the contents if you are letting the property furnished. Speak with an insurance broker who specialises in landlords insurance. If your property has been empty, notify the insurer that someone is moving in as your policy may need to be changed.

Getting the paperwork in order is absolutely essential to the successful running of a property, whether it is a buy-to-let or a home you’ve inherited. Be organised and diarise when insurance needs to be renewed.

Choosing a Letting Agent

You’ll need to choose a lettings agent, but first you need to decide what you want them to do for you.

Is it just to market the property and find a tenant?

Do you want them to deal with right to rent and financial checks?

Do you need them to manage the property for you too?

Speak to us about the services we offer. 

Consider the Profitability

Do you know what the rental income will be?

Have you worked out the yield?

Have you got a mortgage on the rental property and need to make a certain amount?

These are all questions that need answers. You need to have done your homework on similar properties nearby and your expectations should be based on reality, and not on a rent you are dreaming about!

Work with a lettings agent like ourselves, who know the local area and market, and knows the right kind of tenant for the property.

 

Get your property up to scratch and you’re more likely to attract the sort of tenant you want in your property. Being a landlord can be rewarding but there’s paperwork to get right and responsibilities too.