First Time landlord - sort of!

AngelsMadv

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

I've joined the NLA and have used their service for preparing my inventory, the AST agreement and the guarantor stuff. The £8 credit check service is also very useful. I really didn't know some of the things I had to do so I now feel better prepared to go it alone. I pick the keys up from the agent on Saturday and I'm having the forms signed the same day.

Fingers crossed heh?!

With regards to the insurance, I've sorted it with them and they're happy that someone is due to move in on the 30th.

One last question for all you knowledgeable folk - why don't the NLA etc like putting rent 4weekly on an AST? I'd like to do that as my tennant is on Housing benefit that pay every 4 weeks but it said something about "if you need to serve section 21, contact us first". Any clues?

So - Have the AST; have the guarantor forms; have the inventory; the gas certificate I pick up Saturday; have an EPC from when I first tried to sell 3 years back; will take pictures when I get there Saturday - Anything else I need to do?

AngelsMadv

Hi again, everyone - update!


My tenant is due to move in today. I'm having to tie it in with British gas coming to fix the boiler (their one of fix for £165 as my plumber has already told me it's the gas valve which alone is more than this!)

Everything has been great since going alone and the Landlords' Association has been excellent - thanks to you all for putting me onto this.

Here's my question though. (BTW they still haven't sent me my keys or Gas safety cert - useless :mad: they are but I rang them today and they should be sending them) . . .

They did an EPC and have billed me for it. They said they needed it to advertise the property. However, I never asked for this and if they'd have bothered to ask me they'd know that I have one as I had it when I tried to sell before I started letting. It's only 3 years old! Can I just refuse to pay this? Should they have notified me before doing one? That's my plan anyway but I don't want loads of hassle (like threats of court) as it's only £70.

Thanks

N79

AngelsMadv wrote: »

Hi again, everyone - update!


My tenant is due to move in today. I'm having to tie it in with British gas coming to fix the boiler (their one of fix for £165 as my plumber has already told me it's the gas valve which alone is more than this!)

Everything has been great since going alone and the Landlords' Association has been excellent - thanks to you all for putting me onto this.

Here's my question though. (BTW they still haven't sent me my keys or Gas safety cert - useless :mad: they are but I rang them today and they should be sending them) . . .

They did an EPC and have billed me for it. They said they needed it to advertise the property. However, I never asked for this and if they'd have bothered to ask me they'd know that I have one as I had it when I tried to sell before I started letting. It's only 3 years old! Can I just refuse to pay this? Should they have notified me before doing one? That's my plan anyway but I don't want loads of hassle (like threats of court) as it's only £70.

Thanks

Good to see you have been able to get advice and support from the NLA.

Whether or not you have to pay for the EPC will depend on the wording of your agreement with the agents about whether they should have sought your agreement or not. There are no general rules governing this sort of transaction so it will depend on your contract.

GillsMan7

Have a look at the contract, but if it's vague I'd definitely refuse to pay.

G_M

AngelsMadv wrote: »

One last question for all you knowledgeable folk - why don't the NLA etc like putting rent 4weekly on an AST? I'd like to do that as my tennant is on Housing benefit that pay every 4 weeks but it said something about "if you need to serve section 21, contact us first". Any clues?

To evict a tenant you need to serve a S21 Notice (depending on the circumstances). Then you need to go to court to get a possession order. It is critical you get the wording right on the S21 as any mistake will make it invalid and the court will make you start again.

The notice period you give the tenant on the S21 is one area which landlords often get wrong, and it is different depending if rent is paid monthly, weekly, 4 weekly etc.

ps treat yourself to this, or ask for it for Christmas.

AngelsMadv

G_M wrote: »

ps treat yourself to this, or ask for it for Christmas.

I've added it to my wish list - hope the Missus sees it

clutton_2

reading on www.landlordzone.co.uk will also help you absorb lots of information in small chunks.. there are several property lawyers who post there regularly...

also property tribes is a great forum for landlords too...