Need a new Tenant - When do I Advertise?

I would advertise now, when we moved we looked for several months before hand and can say from the tenants I have met, many more would prefer a tenancy which started after their notice period ended rather than paying for 2 properties. If you put 'available from xxxx' on the advert that would help.

Vetting I would ask for reference from previous landlord plus either a work reference or a character reference. Credit checks etc are available through http://www.tenantverify.co.uk/ which can be very useful. I think when it comes to contracts of employment, at the moment I doubt it matters as there are businesses closing regularly. For this reason sometimes those on benefits are better tenants as they are more likely to be able to afford the rent (as long as it's not excessive and the council are willing to cover it which can be found out easily) Remember many who rent can't get a mortgage because of either employment, illness or credit history so listen to each person individually and you might end up with a great tenant who wouldn't usually pass a letting agents checks (like me )

Of course if you are concerned about anything that comes up on the credit checks you could ask for additional bond, guarantor (but not much point without credit checking them too.......if they can't afford to pay then there isn't much point in having one) or more rent up front. However do be aware that there have been cases recently where people are using rented properties for illegal activity and they seem to be regularly offering 6 months advance rent.

As for where, most local papers have somewhere to advertise. Viewings, I am sure your current tenants would prefer occasional viewings than them all in one block as they are trying to pack, speak to them first.

I would agree with the others- advertise about 4-8 weeks in advance and put available from datexxx. If your tenants are decent people, they should understand that you need to show people the place (after all, they are probably looking at other places also.)

A good place to advertise is www.rightmove.co.uk Besides property for sale, they have rental property. It won't be free but I think it's a fairly popular site. It's the first place I look anyways. Try putting an ad in the local paper as well. It's a shame that trying to rent/putting up a place for rent in this country has to be so expensive, a shock when I first came here!

I would disagree with the other poster about taking people on benefits as they are more likely to be able to pay the rent. We have a single mum next door to us on benefits and she's a nightmare- screaming kids, shouting, loud music (and my tax dollars are supporting her, eish). Check each person out, job, references, etc.

Good Luck.