Renting out my house should i get a solictor to write up the agreement

miss_corerupted

Hi All,
I have been renting out my house for 5 months though a letting agency. I have now decided to cancel my agreement with them (i was off on maternity so it was always a temp thing) My tenant is really nice i have refences and gaurntour for her, she has been no problem whilst there so i would like to keep her.

I want to protect myself and her so I need an agreement between ourselves should i write it up my self or is that someting i should get a solictor to do?

Also the company has her deposit do they keep that or do I have to lodge it somewhere else now??

Thanks for help

Emma

scrummy_mummy_2

Managing a property yourself is not an easy/simple job and it extends WAY BEYOND just the Tenancy Agreement and the deposit arrangements.

Unless you re-train/bone up on all things legal you could be letting yourself in for all sorts of bother, both legal and personal...I'd stick with the agent if I was you, or join a body such as NLA (National Landlord's Association) and undertake some of their training courses as your original post doesn't lead me to believe you understand the full extent of your legal obligations.

If you do, then I humbly apologise.

Pee

I would consider using a letting agent, unless you feel able to deal with that part yourself - and take a look at some other posts on here to see the potential problems involved.

Def I would get a professional to draw up the agreement.

G_M

As above, you need to fully understand your responsibilities as a LL if you decide to DIY.

However, if you do, why do you need a new Agreement? There must already be a tenancy agreement between you and your tenant (the agent is simply that, your agent - so the agreement they put in place was on your behalf).

You'' need to take over the deposit and place it in a deposit scheme. Goi to Landlordzone to find out more.

00ec25

This is a cheap jibe and apologies for it, but given the standard of your English spelling on this and many of your other posts, get a professional to draw it up!

As above, why do you need a new one? If they are currently on a 6 month agreement then either re-issue the existing one, or roll it over to a periodic tenancy. If you need to remove reference to a LA, then surely you can redraft that yourself?

That is however the most basic of the things you will need to do, so you have a steep learning curve if you want to DIY.

miss_corerupted

I suffer with very bad dislexia thank you.

I didn't realise the current would do i thought it do need replacing. I'm not very sure of the legal stuff which is why i thought it best to ask advice.
I know i need energy certificate (i have got it) and yearly gas (got it)

I try my best with my spelling and grammer but my software doesn't work on this forum so i can't use. I reread my post at least twice before submitting
Your right it does feel like a cheap jibe

G_M

I know i need energy certificate (i have got it) and yearly gas (got it)

This is the tip of the iceberg. Managing a property involves many factors and you need to research/understand what's involved before deciding.

I note 00ec25 did apologise at the same time as making the 'cheap jibe'. I think it was a fair comment that perhaps you will need help with drafting both documents & letters etc if you decide to DIY your property. It was meant, I'm sure, as a constructive comment, not a genuine jibe!

miss_corerupted

i know 00ec25 but i think it could have been said more tactfully and i'm a bit sensitive about it

Anyway we are going off topic now.

Thank you all for your advice. anymore appericated

franklee

You can't just replace the current tenancy agreement anyway unless the tenant agrees or you serve notice as you can't just change the terms and conditions midstream.

Also you need to look at the contract you signed with the agent, it may not allow you to pull out when keeping the existing tenant. So what notice terms if any do you have with the agent?

miss_corerupted

i have read the contract with the agent i have to give 2 weeks notice.

clutton_2

irrespective of your literacy issues - no one who is new to this business should even think about writing legal documents themselves.

as others have said - your best bet is to continue to use an agent for 6 months, using that time to research like made - https://www.landlordzone.co.uk is a good place to start - and do a lot of reading and join national landlords association and go to their local landlords meetings to keep abreast of current legislation