Renting a House out in NI.

shaz77_2 · 3 February 2010 at 10:04AM

Hi

I am renting my house out to a tenant for the first time, the tenant is receiving DHS money and I have to complete a form for this, I was wondering have I followed all necessary procedures?

1. Mortgage on property allows it to be rented out.
2. Landlord insurance on the property.
3. Gas safety certificate completed.
4. Electrical safety certificate completed.

My estate agent is dealing with the client and he has issued them with the contract and rent book.

Is there anything else that I need to consider?

Thanks.

thestack · 3 February 2010 at 10:55AM

You will also need an energy performance certificate

rexel · 3 February 2010 at 11:37AM

do it yourself not with agent that way you pick the people you want to rent it to no fees

shaz77_2 · 3 February 2010 at 11:46AM

I have the energy performance certificate as well - how often does this need to be renewed?

I also noticed on the rates/rent form that was sent to me by my estate agent these is a section asks is the house certified to the 2006 NI tenancy act? What does this relate to?

thestack · 3 February 2010 at 2:01PM

If the property was built before 1945 you will need a Certificate of Fitness from your local council - I think the EPC lasts for 5 years

Wee_Bargain_Hunter · 3 February 2010 at 2:39PM

My friend took photos of the rooms/furniture etc to show the condition they were in. Maybe that's included in the estate agents fee?

NAR · 3 February 2010 at 4:13PM

thestack wrote: »

If the property was built before 1945 you will need a Certificate of Fitness from your local council

Anybody any idea approx how long it takes the council to grant one of these?

Pretani · 3 February 2010 at 4:18PM

Good luck shaz, make sure you check the tenant out well. I've heard so many horror stories with DHSS cases. I know a person who's property is now a total mess with garbage everywhere and he can't get the occupants out.

Make sure you can trust them.

hendy · 3 February 2010 at 11:35PM

The plus point about a DHSS tenant is that you will receive the rent every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. The negative point is that if the amount you are charging includes rates, the DHAA payment does not include the rates element of the rent, so you will need to point this out to the tenant and ensure they make a payment themselves.
Just because someone is out of a job and relying on DHSS does not mean they will not take care of your property. Draw up a detailed inventory and get them to sign this so there are no disagreements at the end of the tenancy.

Good luck.

shaz77_2 · 4 February 2010 at 9:15AM

hendy wrote: »

The plus point about a DHSS tenant is that you will receive the rent every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. The negative point is that if the amount you are charging includes rates, the DHAA payment does not include the rates element of the rent, so you will need to point this out to the tenant and ensure they make a payment themselves.
Just because someone is out of a job and relying on DHSS does not mean they will not take care of your property. Draw up a detailed inventory and get them to sign this so there are no disagreements at the end of the tenancy.

Good luck.

Thanks for that - I was under the impression that I would have to cover the rates myself, is this not the case?

Finally the tenant called me to advise that there are currently no wheelie bins on the property, where can I purchase these from and what is the cost of two?

Thanks again.

NAR · 4 February 2010 at 11:28AM

shaz77 wrote: »

Thanks for that - I was under the impression that I would have to cover the rates myself, is this not the case?

If you did not quote £xxxpm plus rates to your tenant, then I'm sure they will have assumed the price included rates.

Finally the tenant called me to advise that there are currently no wheelie bins on the property, where can I purchase these from and what is the cost of two?

From your council, I'm not sure of current costs.

Renting a House out in NI.

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