About to rent my flat out . . . . . what do I need to do ?

Mehullakhani

Hey peeps

Am about to rent my flat out; all decorated and about to have the carpets laid in the next few days.

Just wondering what the last few things I need to do are, for example :

1 . Get gas safety certificate

2 . Take final meter readings

etc etc

Do I need an electical safety certificate ? Anything else I need to do ? Landlords licence ? ? Although it will be actively managed by a letting agent .

Any furthur ideas would be greatly appreciated . . .

R

mehul

Tassotti

Electrical Safety Certificate not legally required, but advisable, as well as all electrical items included in property to be properly tested.

Final meter readings should be taken on day tenant moves in, as you are responsible for these bills until they do.

I generally inform electric, gas, water and council tax of tenants names and date moved in (This isn't strictly neceassary, but, if I do it, I know its done and the bills then no longer in my name)

Change Home Insurance to Landlords Insurance.

The Landlords Licence only applies to HMOs (unless you are in Scotland)

Give set of keys to Letting agent if they are doing viewings. (I like to be there at the viewings, so you can meet the people who will be living in your property)

Letting agent will sort out following but will charge you for the privilege :-

Produce an Inventory with pictures of the property in its current state
Produce and Issue an AST
Produce and Serve a Section 21 Notice

You can sort these yourselves , but if it is your first letting, may be useful to have the agent do it.

When the agents have found prospective tenant(s), double check their references/credit check with the agent. This is the most important thing. Do NOT accept anybody who fails the check.

Good Luck. I hope it all goes well for you.

Tass