How do I let my house to Leeds council? and has any had good / bad experiences?

RichardUG

Hi

I have a 4 bedroom house (all double rooms) that I'd like to rent to cover my mortgage while I'm away, the longer the contract the better.

Its in Armley (LS12) in Leeds does anyone have any advise, I've used a agent who said they could rent it straight away... 2 months later I still don't have any tenants

Regards

Rick

dotdash79

I know a couple of agents in Leeds that deal in that area, the council won't be intrested in it.

Werdnal

And have you asked the mortgage whether they will consider such a deal? Doubt it very much as you have no control over who the council will put in there and how the property will be used and abused.

While you are at it, have you asked the mortgage whether you can actually let it at all? Some agree, but add extra costs and clauses, whilst others refuse.

And as for covering your mortgage whilst you are away, the tax man might not be happy about that! You do realise you have to declare rental income for tax, and HMRC only allow you to deduct the mortgage INTEREST from any rent you receive.

Have you any idea about the legal implications of letting? Read this:

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

Even if you can get the council interested, you will still be responsible for ensuring the house is insured (landlord policy), safe to let (annual gas safety certificate), and repaired and maintained - boiler breaks down and council will be after you as landlord to repair/replace it!

Much better if you do want to let, is to use a reputable local agent, to manage it, arrange repairs in your absence, vet tenants correctly and give you some control over who they let to, plus allow you to get them out within a reasonable timeframe if something goes wrong, or you need the property back.

If the agents you are using are not coming up with anyone, change agents!

whalster

In most cases I would advise anyone they are better letting their own property for many many reasons ,in your case moving away though it is better as said above to get a reputable agent .
Don't let it to the council it is a minefield.
Things to ask this agent if it has been on the market 2 months, is it priced too high ? often a mistake many agents make to maximise their monthly income from you .
Are they asking for a large fee from potential tenants ,a big mistake landlords make is not to ask an agent how much they charge the tenant ,their focus is on how much they are being charged ! as a private landlord I mop up many savy respectable tenants who have run a mile from these fees.
Also does your house look good? inside and out or to put it bluntly is it a tip, ask yourself would you rent this house and be honest , I am sat in a home office now and can honestly say without some work and tidying up I would not rent my own house as it is ,make sure it looks like a rentable house not a lived in home.
Good luck with it all

RichardUG

can you let me know the agencies?

RichardUG

Thanks for the advise

dotdash79

I've sent you a PM.

Leeds has loads of lettign agents but stay away from the studenty ones.

spacey2012

Magnolia walls, new cheap carpets, cooker, washer, beds and a sofa, no DHSS, 1 cat ok, 2 references and Bond, less bond and two months up front are better.
This is how to attract things such as healthcare professionals.

longtimelurker_2

spacey2012 wrote: »

Magnolia walls, new cheap carpets, cooker, washer, beds and a sofa, no DHSS, 1 cat ok, 2 references and Bond, less bond and two months up front are better.
This is how to attract things such as healthcare professionals.

Tenants = things!