Private Landlords!

suew123_2

Hi all,

Me and my partner are planning on renting somewhere in birmingham. However we would like to rent of a private landlord.
Could anyone give me advice on how we would go about finding a private landlord or any websites you know where they may advertise properties?

Many Thanks!

Sue

naijapower

For private landlords ads, best starting point is local paper and then shop windows in the area. Goodluck

aaroncaz

suew123 wrote: »

Hi all,

Me and my partner are planning on renting somewhere in birmingham. However we would like to rent of a private landlord.
Could anyone give me advice on how we would go about finding a private landlord or any websites you know where they may advertise properties?

Many Thanks!

Sue

Try gumtree, I found my house on that site.


http://birmingham.gumtree.com/

elli1_2

Hi

There is a website I have looked at www.simple2rent.co.uk this shows both private landlords and agency properties but show clearly which is which I found the website has lots of other information too - well worth a look.

But always remember to be careful when contacting landlords who ask for Moneygram transfers before they will let you view a property as these are scams what they do is ask you to wire the proof of your deposit funds to a relative of yours (this makes it look safe) and then ask you to scan a copy of your receipt to them to proof that you have the funds and are not a time waster (they usually say they have to travel to the UK to show you around and they are not prepared to waste time and money travelling if you are not really interested) but they only need the reference number on the scanned copy of the receipt to collect the money from what ever company you wired the money to YOUR relative and you will end up with no money no flat and no way of getting your money back!

rent_and_buy

Im currently going to rent my house out and has it happens i live in birmingham, could you please tell me why you want a private lanlord?

i was going to employ a letting agent, and i was just wondering why you would want a private landlord.

Fred1_2

Have a look at http://www.landlords.org.uk/propertysearch/propertysearch.htm only members of the National Landlords Association can advertise there and we are bound by the NLA's Code of Practice http://www.landlords.org.uk/aboutus/codeofpractice.htm. There are other landlord associations but not being a member, I don't know what services they provide.

Also check if there's a lnadlord accreditation scheme in your area - see http://www.anuk.org.uk/directory/directory.asp If there is, check that prospective landlords are members.

For any landlord, private or otherwise, you should be able to check;

1. Does the landlord have permission to rent the property. If (s)he owns the freehold, no permission is needed.. Ask the landlord to provide a recent copy of the land registry entry (available to download for £3.00 from land Registry Online site). If there is a superior landlord (freeholder) or a mortgagor, ask for proof that appropriate permission has been granted. A letter stating this will be fine.

2. can you take away a sample copy of the tenancy agreement? You need to be able to understand what you are signing. If in doubt, get legal advice.

3. Will you be given an address at which you can serve notices to the landlord? This can be a PO Box and is normally included inthe rental agreement. If you do not have this information, don't make too much fuss, just don't pay the rent. Under S48 of The landlord and Tenant Act 1987, no rent is due until this info is provided

4. How will any deposit be protected? Will that be in compliance with the Housing Act 2004? It needs to be protected by The Deposit Protection Service, My Deposits or one other scheme whose name I forget right now. It is ok for the landlord to charge, say, 2 months rent in advance instead of a deposit, but they cannot say that any of it will be retained in case of damage etc - that is a deposit regardeless of what the tenancy agreement says.

5. Expect the landlord to do a credit and ID check on you and to pass the cost on. If they charge more than £40 for this, alrm bells shoulds tart to ring. If they don't do it at all, alarm bells should start to ring. If they are not lookinbg after tehir investment by checking prosepctive tenants will they look after it by carrying out maintenance?

You won't put a good landlord off by asking these questions. tenants who are aware of landlords responsibilities are normally aware of their own responsibilities too. I would jump at letting to a tenant who took the business as seriously as I do.

Good luck

rent_and_buy

i think i may do it myself ive still got a few weeks before we decide, but i feel if i do the right credit checks and get a deposit and put it in the right place, i cant really go wrong, especially with the rent gaurantee schemes, which cover me for 6 months as long as i get the correct credit checks done.

ive looked at credit referencing, say you were renting out a 3 bed roomed house would you creference check the 2 applicants or would the agreement be in one name?