getting everything covered

want2bmortgage3

hey,
i am renting out my flat but not via an estate agent
i may be going away for a while and want to make sure everything is covered and the tenants can make a quick call if there is a problem, but not to me.
things like the boiler, a water leak, appliance failure etc.
what sort of cover would i need for these things?
can i arrange my tenants to phone if there's a problem, as i may be away?
thanks

ognum

if you are out of the country you need to make sure you have someone to sort out these problems for you,. Someone who has access to funds for ongoing repairs and maintenance.

You need to have informed HMRC and arranged how the tax on your rental income will be paid if you are out of the country for a long time then I believe (happy to be corrected) your tenant is responsible for the tax.

British gas will allow the tenant to phone if problems maybe you could add your appliances to that agreement.

want2bmortgage3

thanks for the british gas suggestion, i will look into what they will cover.

i could ask my dad to be an emergency contact for the tenants, but i'd rather have everything in place so that any emergency they can call a number direct and sort it out under warranty.

my plumber is ok but sometimes goes away for a weekend or is busy and cant come out straight away so thats not good enough if there is a leak or the boiler packs up.

appliances are all fairly new but apart from one are out of warranty, so what if the oven packs up or the fridge, i need a contract with someone who will repair/replace within a timeframe for peace of mind.

any more suggestions welcome! thanks guys!

missrlr

British Gas Homecare, I have the whole deal: sewage, drains, water in, electrics, gas, appliances, takes a phone call and they sort. Used them 4 times in the past 2 weeks arrive on time and sort the job. Tenants seem to like (well those who know how to operate a phone that is)

Wont cover fencing blowing over etc type repairs, you will have to put something in place for this but it is quicker for the tenant to arrange time / date for appointment than you to liaise.

However note points about re tax and so on. Also make sure it works and your tenant knows they can contact you otherwise you can be in stuck street if there is a problem and you are absent.

Otherwise sort an agency agreement out for the time you are away with funds for repairs etc.

want2bmortgage3

thanks missrlr, that's a good package.
my main concern is the boiler as any problems and tenants would be straight onto me.
i notice the varying levels of cover, central heating, i suppose this covers radiatior/pipe faults, unlikely i guess and boiler service which i currently have done by a plumber, but could work out cheaper with a package.
electrics again can't see a lot going wrong.
my place is in a block of 6 maisonette's, 3 on ground and 3 first floor. not sure if drains and stuff are shared, and to what point are they the water boards responsibility?
overall though for £20 a month instead of £12 it's probably worth doing the whole lot.

G_M

Are you aware of all the other aspects involved in letting? Esp if you are abroad.

Here's a resume and useful links.

want2bmortgage3

Thanks that's a great link, I will work through it. Luckily I have decent tenants who rarely contact me and it's usually just a text message when they do. Think i've got the hardest part out the way finding the tenants, but will read the rest and thanks again for the link.