Landlords pack?

hethomas

Hi all,

I am new to this forum - well, occasional viewer but new to posting.

My wife and I will be looking to rent out our flat next year and were wondering how to best do this 'ourselves'? We have looked at letting agents and some are very good but they charge quite a lot.

Are there any commercial or free 'diy' packs available with example leases and a checklist of what else needs to be done and how to do it (e.g. how to check references, what are the different schemes for holding bond, hot to perform a inventory, gas safe inspection, electrical PAT test, etc)?

We want to do it properly, and are happy to pay where necessary, but just want to minimize the costs as much as possible.

Any thoughts, tips, pieces of advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

googler

Setting aside all practical considerations such as those you mention, are you prepared to regard 'your' flat as a business asset, and remain totally detached from it?

Yorkie1

Firstly, read G_M's post here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=41160642&postcount=12

Then, join the National Landlords Association or the other LL's association (name evades me for the moment). They will provide you with excellent legal advice, tenancy documents, access to discounted LL's insurance, etc.

If you are managing it yourself, decide in advance how you will deal with repairs - DIY or get a local handyman on board from the start.

Provide your Ts with copies of any relevant manuals for appliances including the boiler. Details of how to contact you in emergency. Leaflet about avoiding condensation and warning not to leave the property unheated if away for any period of time in the winter.

G_M

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Firstly, read G_M's post here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=41160642&postcount=12

Then, join the National Landlords Association or the other LL's association (name evades me for the moment). They will provide you with excellent legal advice, tenancy documents, access to discounted LL's insurance, etc.
.

There are various local landlords associations too (try Google or the local council to find them) which a) give access to local meetings and other local LLs and b) are usually affiliated to one of the 2 National associations givving access to their greater services and support.

edit : note to all - minor updates today to the post above.

hethomas

Thanks everyone for the advice.

tbs624

G_M wrote: »

T
edit : note to all - minor updates today to the post above.

You're a star G_M :beer:

mr-angry

You dont state who and how many will be occupying the flat as this could fall into the HMO category which will require a local authority licence and have to meet certain standards.

G_M

tbs624 wrote: »

You're a star G_M :beer:

Thanks tbs - but you were the inspiration for that post way back in the mists of time!

Mr Angry -
Coincidentally, the addition of a reference to HMOs was one of the updates to my post !

edit just added:
HMOs (Licencing of Houses in Multiple Occupation in England: A guide for landlords and managers)

clutton_2

i would read a forum called property tribes... its full of landlords and you will get civility and accurate information from professional landlords who use their real name, with no back-biting, and with professional advice from seriously skilled and knowledgeable folks.. not like here where many folks think they know one thing and make up the rest.

Also as said above, join national landlords association dot org and you will get all the docs you need, plus a legal help line which will save you tons of solicitors fees, plus cheaper property insurance and a lot of discounted goods and services, plus the joining fee is tax deductible

tbs624

G_M wrote: »

Thanks tbs - but you were the inspiration for that pots way back in the mists of time!
!

Thanks for the credit Just felt it appropriate that you got acknowledgement for your time spent on updating /extrapolating: it's a great resource for potential newbie LLs and saves so much repetition within subsequent threads.