First time landlord. Where do I start?

[Deleted User]

As above. 
I'm eventually going to rent out my home (I'm mortgage free) and move in with my boyfriend of 3 years. We will keep our money separate and I will be contributing to utilities at his but not his mortgage.

Where do I even begin to get information...
Is it best to rent it fully, partially or unfurnished. 
I have someone to do repairs if the tennant damages things or items need replacing.

I have a million and one questions....
I haven't gone into this lightly and I do want to read up on things first and I will be using a letting agency as I'm a complete novice.

My aim is to move either before Christmas or next spring at the latest.

Slithery

Have you read the sticky provided for just this reason and all of the links that it contains yet? It's as good a place as any to start...
Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants

[Deleted User]

Hi. Slithery. I'm getting through it all gradually.
I would also like to get information from experienced landlords here on my own thread too 

Slithery

Other good options would be to buy an up do date book on the subject as well as joining a LL association and taking one of their training courses.

dimbo61

What is the EPC of the property ?
Do you have Gas central heating ? Has oven, gas hob and gas fire ?
You also need to get an EICR done and sort out any issues ?
Smoke alarms, CO alarm,  Burglar alarm !

Get a local lettings agents in to give advice 
Is the property suitable to rent out ?
Higher rate tax payers ?
Join the NRLA
Yield ? Rental value ? 

[Deleted User]

It's a flat.
I haven't got an EPC so I've looked on the .gov.uk website as I didn't have one back in 2007 when I bought the flat (it's not showing my address but it does show other flats here). So that's something I need to sort out first.

No gas to property, storage heating and emmersion heater for water.

Will look up what an EICR is now...

No burglar alarm as flat is linked to locked outside doors but maybe a good idea.

1 smoke alarm but they're cheap enough to buy. 

The flat is tidy and modern. Expensive laminate throughout. It could do with new kitchen cupboard doors as a few have marks on, but I'm not sure whether to fork out for new ones as they're all ok bar 3.

The flat was a rental property before I bought it so back then everything was up to scratch. I've just modernised it a lot. 

Slithery

EPC's and EICR's weren't a legal requirement to let a property in 2007.
They are now.

[Deleted User]

I know. I'm a bit concerned as I have storage heating and emmersion heater and no cavity wall insulation that it won't pass the EPC.
it's fully double glazed with another electric fire in the lounge but not sure whether to take that out as I never used it. It was just for show as the storage heaters are very hot. The emmersion heater is up to date as well as a new electric shower which is separate, oven is electric obviously and in excellent condition so that'll stay.

dimbo61

Use Mydeposits
You have owned the property since 2007 and it's now mortgage free.
Thinking Capital Gains Tax !
Are you a higher rate tax payer ?

hazyjo

You will really are better off reading all the linked info, then asking questions.

I know you think it's beneficial asking for people for just the essentials or basics, but one thing is as important as the other.

canaldumidi

You are asking basic questions which are ALL answered, along with many that you have not yet asked, in the stickie.

Read it.