Finding a tenant

jasoncfc

Hi all,

i looking to let my property and manage it myself, im just looking for advice with regard to finding a tenant as im not using an agent and with the golden rule of not letting to friends / family.

Hope you can help,

Thanks
Jason

G_M

Start here.

jasoncfc

Thanks G_M, i have previously read this post and purchased some of the recommended literature, im looking for more info to help me find a tenant, where to advertise the property etc.

Thanks,
Jason

Grumpykev

I've used Gumtree with great success. You can post two free adverts a year; a well written advert with good pictures should get you plenty of responses.

You can also post adverts free on Sarah Beeny's Tepilo website.

poppysarah

My LA friend recommends an ad in the paper.

moesasji

poppysarah wrote: »

My LA friend recommends an ad in the paper.

Really not sure...as someone who rents I would not look in the local paper (and I'm not a big fan of Gumtree either)

If there is a way to advertise it on rightmove through a online agency I would definitely recommend that to widen the pool of potential tenants.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

jasoncfc wrote: »

Hi all,

i looking to let my property and manage it myself, im just looking for advice with regard to finding a tenant as im not using an agent and with the golden rule of not letting to friends / family.

Hope you can help,

Thanks
Jason

Trust me you are taking on a massive responsibility and you must thoroughly do your homework.
We decided to do ours and what a nightmare! If you went with a agency they would expect 10% but this can be negotiated. But they take on all the issues and can also offer you a guaranteed rent! they do all the checks they should do too.
If you still wish to go ahead with letting it out yourself then you should join a residential landlord association. you pay a small fee but it has all the forms and infomation you need.

I have found that an agent as long as they are to be trusted is the best way though

Good luck. X

Werdnal

Depends on the type of tenant you are trying to attract.

Are there any large employers in the area - hospitals, universities international companies etc, who might have a turnover of staff looking for accommodation?

I only have a small 1 bed flat, suitable for single/couple occupancy, but when I last let I just put some ad cards in the local shop, post office and newsagents, and the phone still rang with enquiries for several weeks after I'd found my tenant!

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

You can also Pay an agent a one off fee to advertise your house. We also advertised our house on make your move which was free and within a week of it being on we got about 6 working couples and families all apply for a viewing. x

Mrs_Z

If you want your property to appear on Rightmove, Primlocation, etc sites, you could use one of the on-line letting agents. I asked for recommendations on this forum last atumn, and Upad was mentioned amongst others. They are not the cheapest, but they advertise your property until it's let. They can also do tenant referencing and provide tenancy agreements. I went with them and the whole process was very easy. Would use again if I needed to.

G_M

In the past I have used :

* ads in the local paper
* direct approaches to local businesses
* paying an agent a 'tenant find' fee

In all cases I vet/select the tenant myself.

I would never use gumtree.