Lettings management - is it mandatory to renew an AST?

greatcrested

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

 .... green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

Hence diggingdude suggesting doing a course!

https://www.nrla.org.uk/training-academy

Black_Cat2

greatcrested said:

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

 .... green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

Hence diggingdude suggesting doing a course!

https://www.nrla.org.uk/training-academy

Aah okay, completely went over my head, sorry 👍

diggingdude

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

We all have to start somewhere.  Tempted to move away from the letting agent but green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

It was nothing personal. I just find it amazing how landlords leave themselves so open to penalty when running a business with properties worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yet a security guard has to do a course to protect cans of diet coke. 

dimbo61

There are now hundreds of rules and regulations, laws and requirement from councils / government and other legal bodies about renting .
It is a minefield.
GSC, EPC, EICR, Health and Safety, Taxation, HMO licence, Waste management, Fit for human habitation, Fire Safety, EWS1 form Legionnaires checks. PAT testing. Disabled access.
S21 S13 evections, S24 tax changes.
Right to Rent, Deposit protection. ETC 

Black_Cat2

diggingdude said:

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

We all have to start somewhere.  Tempted to move away from the letting agent but green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

It was nothing personal. I just find it amazing how landlords leave themselves so open to penalty when running a business with properties worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yet a security guard has to do a course to protect cans of diet coke. 

Yes I can see that now 💚

I'm not the brightest button in the box and for that reason I don't think managing it completely myself is a good idea, will stick with the agent for the foreseeable.  My one braincell is usually occupied with something garden related lol, I'll stick to that and ty for your comments, I appreciate your replies 💚😸

badger09

My son became a 'temporary accidental landlord' several years ago when he was seconded abroad. That was in 2012! Fortunately, for his (and my) peace of mind, he engaged a Letting agent. Yes, it costs, but like many things in life, its not just about the money.

oldbikebloke

badger09 said:

My son became a 'temporary accidental landlord' several years ago when he was seconded abroad. That was in 2012! Fortunately, for his (and my) peace of mind, he engaged a Letting agent. Yes, it costs, but like many things in life, its not just about the money.

so what?
ANYONE can call themselves a "letting agent"
there are no qualifications required and, as illustrated by many posts on here, being "your" agent does not:
a) mean they know anything at all about tenancy law 
and
b) absolve you in anyway at all from your legal duties as LL 

greatcrested

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

We all have to start somewhere.  Tempted to move away from the letting agent but green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

It was nothing personal. I just find it amazing how landlords leave themselves so open to penalty when running a business with properties worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yet a security guard has to do a course to protect cans of diet coke. 

...... will stick with the agent for the foreseeable.  ...

That's fine but please bear in mind that

* agents don't need quaifications either

* there are good ones and bad ones

* assuming a 'big national chain' will be reliable can be unwise - so much depends on the guy in the local office

* assuming a friendly local independant will be reliable can also be unwise

* there is no rule that one type or the other will be better

* ultimately, any issues that arise fall on the landlord. Something illegal the agent over-looked? LL is responsible. Agent puts in a tenant who defaults on rent? LL loses money, not the agent. Property deteriotayes because agent does not inspect/repair? LL's property loses value.

Post 9: Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

Black_Cat2

greatcrested said:

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Black_Cat2 said:

diggingdude said:

Surely landlords learn all this stuff when they do their qualifications.........

We all have to start somewhere.  Tempted to move away from the letting agent but green on where to start for myself.  Can't be the only one that feels this way 🤔

It was nothing personal. I just find it amazing how landlords leave themselves so open to penalty when running a business with properties worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yet a security guard has to do a course to protect cans of diet coke. 

...... will stick with the agent for the foreseeable.  ...

That's fine but please bear in mind that

* agents don't need quaifications either

* there are good ones and bad ones

* assuming a 'big national chain' will be reliable can be unwise - so much depends on the guy in the local office

* assuming a friendly local independant will be reliable can also be unwise

* there is no rule that one type or the other will be better

* ultimately, any issues that arise fall on the landlord. Something illegal the agent over-looked? LL is responsible. Agent puts in a tenant who defaults on rent? LL loses money, not the agent. Property deteriotayes because agent does not inspect/repair? LL's property loses value.

Post 9: Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

Ty again.  Spent some time reading up on the links you gave me just incase I take the plunge 👌

 dimbo61 said:

There are now hundreds of rules and regulations, laws and requirement from councils / government and other legal bodies about renting .
It is a minefield.
GSC, EPC, EICR, Health and Safety, Taxation, HMO licence, Waste management, Fit for human habitation, Fire Safety, EWS1 form Legionnaires checks. PAT testing. Disabled access.
S21 S13 evections, S24 tax changes.
Right to Rent, Deposit protection. ETC 

Looked through my agent stuff and don't see any mention of legionnaires checks?  🙄

badger09

oldbikebloke said:

badger09 said:

My son became a 'temporary accidental landlord' several years ago when he was seconded abroad. That was in 2012! Fortunately, for his (and my) peace of mind, he engaged a Letting agent. Yes, it costs, but like many things in life, its not just about the money.

so what?
ANYONE can call themselves a "letting agent"
there are no qualifications required and, as illustrated by many posts on here, being "your" agent does not:
a) mean they know anything at all about tenancy law 
and
b) absolve you in anyway at all from your legal duties as LL 

There really was no need for the tone of your post.

My son is well aware that "anyone can call themselves a letting agent", which is why he chose a small independent Estate Agency, established over 30 years ago, which has membership of all the nationally recognised 'professional' bodies, to manage his property on his behalf.

He is also fully aware of his legal responsibilties as a landlord. However, fulfilling those responsibilities from the other side of the world would be impossible without the services of a reputable agency.