Best tenancy agreements

rusks2204

Hello all, I am new to this site and wonder if you are able to advise me where is best to get an tenancy agreement for my new tenants? I am happy to pay and just want the best advice on who to use. I believe I can do this myself via the NLA or RLA but does anyone have experience of these?
many thanks in advance.

steve1980

You can get them from WH Smith for about £15.00

rusks2204

Thank you, I will check that out

Werdnal

Joining the LL association is always a good step, and your membership would be deductable from your tax payments. They have online editable tenancy agreements, and access to other documents and legal advice. Always better to tailor your agreements to your particular circumstances and property, rather than buy an off the shelf variety!

Are you a new LL? Do you understand all that is involved in letting? A good guide for newbies is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=41160642&postcount=12

Hope this helps, but if you have any further questions, there are many knowledgeable folk, both LL and tenants here, who can give you advice from both sides of the fence!!

tbs624

It's not just about buying a template. You need to understand the terms of the tenancy agreement and the rights and obligations of both parties.

See landlord law, run by LL&T specialist solicitor Tessa Shepperson. Updated, clear English tenancy agreements. Membership fee tax deductible too.

You may want to search on here for G_Ms monumental post with much useful guidance for newbie LLs. Edit- as linked to by Werdnal above

rusks2204

Thanks so much both, any advice is appreciated by me. I am not a new landlord, I have rented my place for 3 years now. 2 years through an agent who let the tenant totally wreck the place - managed to get all the deposit back off them through the proper channels of going through a dispute with the TDS. The 2nd tenant was family and I didnt give her a contract or take a deposit, all I asked for is to be given sufficient notice to leave and of course I didnt get that and they walked out without paying the final months rent, totally my own fault for trusting a family member. My new tenant is private and moves in next week.

Werdnal

rusks2204 wrote: »

I didnt give her a contract or take a deposit

:eek::eek::eek:

Then I suggest you read the link I posted and make sure you are up to speed with everything. You claim to have let for 3 years, but still make simple mistake like no contract :eek:. Even for family members or friends, this is an absolute minimum!

Have you done an inventory? Do you have an EPC? Gas Safety certificate if applicable?

Check out your responsibilities on the link quickly to make sure you are doing everything legally. Have you credit checked this new tenant? If you have already agreed to let to them, but are still asking how to get a tenancy agreement, I fear you may be running before you can walk.

Sorry, don't mean to question your ability as a LL, but these are pretty basic mistakes. We get tales of woe here almost daily, from LLs who have got in too deep and been taken for a costly ride by tenants (who usually know far more about their rights and what they can get away with). Please do some more research now, join the LLs association and make sure you are covered for all the legal requirements you will have as a LL.

rusks2204

Total stupid mistake for trusting my family, I should have known better and am totally paying for it now! I am going to check out the links everyone has posted so thank you for all the advice

Thanks Werdnal - I have an EPC, Gas safety, landlords insurance, pay tax on the income etc. Need to do an iventory yet but we are in the process of putting the wrongs right from the last tenant so will do that last.

BitterAndTwisted

Never, ever consider buying a template tenancy agreement from somewhere like WHSmith! Not if you value your sanity and your property. Only a bloody fool would think of going down that route

I understand that the agreements available via NLA and RLA have been tested and fine-tuned. Plus, via membership you should have some come-back. You won't have that luxury if the !!!!!! hits the fan when you've used a Smith's one.

Werdnal

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Never, ever consider buying a template tenancy agreement from somewhere like WHSmith! Not if you value your sanity and your property. Only a bloody fool would think of going down that route

I understand that the agreements available via NLA and RLA have been tested and fine-tuned. Plus, via membership you should have some come-back. You won't have that luxury if the !!!!!! hits the fan when you've used a Smith's one.

ITA B&T, but thats the sort of recommendation you get from an ... A-hem ... Estate Agent!;)