Is it safe to rent directly from a landlord?

stator

Local newspaper classifieds

southoftheriver

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movebubble
openrent

Letting agents for the most part are thieving greedy toerags.

kinger101

It's hard to say because there are good landlords and bad landlords, and the same too for agents.

If you're letting directly from the LL, then make sure they are aware of their duties, such as protecting the deposit, and making sure a gas safety certificate is issued. Worry if you are the first tenant for their only property. Or if your landlord lives abroad.

Agents usually have an good knowledge of the law, but any muppet can become a letting agent I'm afraid, and the worst seem set on antagonizing both LL and tenant, while extracting maximum fees for their non-skilled clerical work.

I'd say the best scenario is a professional landlord who know their responsibilities and your rights, and are happy to let you live your life until your return the property in the condition it was found (minus wear and tear) at the end of the tenancy.

The best thing you can do is make yourself aware of your rights and responsibilities, and if possible, meet the LL before you let and make some judgement yourself on whether they appear reasonable.

ivavoucher

OpenRent, they do not allow any fees other than £20 per reference.

And as a landlord OpenRent is fantastic.[FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]

whalster

Look for local facebook groups too for letting or town facebook pages ,I post my property for rent on these and in general they go within days .
I have one advertised this way at the moment .

G_M

Aimed at landlods but may be interesting to you


* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?



taken from:

Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants

rllowe1

I found my ll through an estate agent. I've been a tenant since last May and still haven't signed a contract. However, buildings good, there's an onsite maintenance guy so alls good.

dimbo61

Do not pay rent or deposit in cash or western union as maybe Scam.
You must visit property and meet existing tenants if possible !
Check he/she is the landlord. Check land registry as too who owns the property.
Ask for copy of tenancy agreement by email before you sign.
Do bank transfer for deposit, rent and any fees.
Ask to see Gas safe certificate, EPC and Electric certificate if possible
Be very careful Gumtree full of scam merchants.

AlexMac

Dimbo's advice is good. There have been cases of 'Landlords' who have convinced tenants, taken deposits or fees for Credit/reference checks, or even prepayments for rent, but turn out not to own the property!

Scamsters are a minority, but be streetwise.

And I concur, that it can work. My current tenant came via word of mouth, so because I saved a month's rent in agency fees, I let her stay on a very 'soft' rent, as I was well ahead for the first year. Still there after 3-4 years so I'm now massively ahead as I've had no voids or fees.

Make sure they do everything legal, though; protected deposit, preferably an inventory including notes on cleanliness and condition, gas safety cert etc...

Newlyboughthouse

RascalFlatts wrote: »

Thank you all for the replies. I'm glad I asked. Can anyone recommended a good website or two for finding lettings by landlords and cutting out the middle man? I've checked Gumtree but only some are direct from landlords, many are from agencies.

Spareroom.co.uk is where I found all my places to rent.