renting out my house!!

sam1970

We are looking to move abroad next year and we will rent out our house for few years. I have noticed that British gas do LL emergency cover (heating, plumbing etc) which i think is sensible to take. My question is if I take this cover, do I still need letting agency to manage the property or shall I just ask them to find a tenant? I am thinking that if get the BG cover, all the agent will do in case of emergency is to call BG which surly the tenant can do themselves. Will I be missing out on any other services from the letting agency?

fairy_lights

What if the tenant has an emergency not related to heating or plumbing? There could be a fire, problems with damp, broken windows etc. If you don't use an agency how will you take care of routine maintenance and inspections?

mrginge

fairy_lights wrote: »

What if the tenant has an emergency not related to heating or plumbing? There could be a fire, problems with damp, broken windows etc. If you don't use an agency how will you take care of routine maintenance and inspections?

The OP will of course have discounted the rent to reflect that they don't want / can't be bothered to look after their asset.

G_M

If the tenant pays you direct (ie your bank account) and you are abroad, the tenant needs to deduct your tax. Unless you have HMRC permission. See

HMRC (Non Resident [= overseas] Landlord Scheme)

What if there is a problem with the roof tiles? BG will not fix!

Your question indicates a degree of naivity regarding letting your house, so ...

Now read:


New Landlords (information for new or prospective landlords)

Letting Agents (Tips for selecting, and tips for sacking them)

sam1970

thank you guys....that is why I am asking..because I have never done this before so be gentle

kinger101

sam1970 wrote: »

Will I be missing out on any other services from the letting agency?

Property inspections
Making you aware of instances where you are not in compliance with the law.
Experience in dealing with difficult tenants.
Being another keyholder who can attend the house in an emergency.
Knowledge of decent local tradesmen, and being your authorized representative when if comes to booking and paying them (very important if you're abroad)
Being able to find you another tenant if one leaves - including getting the house ready for the new tenant if the old one leaves it dirty).

booksurr

In addition to GM's comments please note that as you will be abroad you must, by law, provide an address in England and Wales (Scotland or NI is different) at which the tenant can contact you or your representative to serve a notice.

your representative does not have to be a formal letting agent, it could be your relative or any tom, !!!!!!, or harry who is willing to be "you" in terms of receiving notices from the tenant. Obviously for most people when abroad it is much simpler to use a LA, but you don't have to, but if you don't have an E&W address then the tenant does not have to pay their rent (L&T Act 1987 - the so called "section 48 address") which is why using LA is "convenient" as the address can be c/o the LA (or your non LA rep of course)