AST which agreement is best?

michele-p

Hi all,

We have a new tenant lined up for our rental flat. The flat is advertised with an agency, but we've found a tenant ourselves, which will mean a great saving for us.

I've got her to fill in a new tenant form, and will be getting her credit checked later today. She has agreed to a 12 month contract, and I'm lookign around for the best ast to use. I've seen some of the free ones, and read some posts advising that they aren't very good.

Does anyone have any experience of which one is a good form. I've seen the one for £10 on Landlord zone, which I don't mind paying, but before I do I'm wondering if it's any different from the free ones?

Alos, one last thing, as a private landlord, can I put the deposit into the the secure deposit scheme? I've only ever done it through the agents before.

Any advice appreciated.

michele-p

I've just joined up for the deposit protection scheme at the DPS, so that's one thing off my list, it's just a good AST I need to find now.

sonastin

Are you a member of a Landlords Association? The fees are tax deductible and they can help with things like getting the right tenancy agreement...

michele-p

I'm not yet, but am willing to join one. here just so many websites ect out there, it's a minefield! Is there a good landlords association to join?

BitterAndTwisted

Once you've joined a landlords association and acquired your AST I would think about having a six-month break-clause in the agreement just in case the tenant proves unsatisfactory.

tbs624

michele-p wrote: »

I'm not yet, but am willing to join one. here just so many websites ect out there, it's a minefield! Is there a good landlords association to join?

The largest is the National LLs Association (NLA) then there is the Residential LL Assoc (RLA) and the Guild of Residential LLs. There may be a local LL Association which is affiliated to one of the nationals. You may also want to tale a look at Tessa Shepperson's LL Law site (she's a solicitor who specialises in LL& T law)

On your deposit query - yes, you can use the schemes direct. DPS is free to use and requires you to physically hand over the deposit and TDS and mydeposits are insurance backed and the LL/LA retains the actual deposit money for the duration of the tenancy. There are fees charged for the latter two schemes.

Whichever one you use make sure that you gice your tenant the Scheme's "prescribed information" and get a signature from the T to say that you have done so.

michele-p

Thanks all, problem solved. The agency we've used for the past year have very kindly just emailed me the previous ast agreement. I've signed up with DPS for the deposit, and will get an inventory done tonight. then it's just getting the tenant check approved and completed, and all systems go. Good idea about a 6 month break claus too.