Which professional?

bodorange

@theartfullodger I am reading intensively.

@njkmr A set up service is what I am after, yes.

@Jude57 OK I think I would notify all utilities directly myself in that case.

@Mr.Generous Thanks. I came across the electrical safety certification after posting. The list of must-dos is growing.

@RAS I believe the lease does allow renting but I would get written confirmation from the freeholders (I am aquainted with them also).

@_Penny_Dreadful Thanks. I didn't expect a draft agreement from scratch. But thought they may have a better selection of templates/inserts than what's on offer online. I looked at the government model AST. I wasn't impressed with the layout of the document. It seemed opaque and mixed guidance with agreement amongst the 52 odd pages. I was looking at both online and pdf versions.

I have deferred the decision to rent and getting less keen on the idea by the day. I still have CT amnesty so not incurring major expense other than a building insurance/management fee. Though what they actually do with it is not clear!

Thank you all for the very helpful advice.

Mr.Generous

_Penny_Dreadful said:

user1977 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

bodorange said:

I am considering renting out an inherited property. It is a 1 bed (leasehold) flat. Cheap rental area. I have a prospective tenant. The flat will be rented unfurnished.

I'm aware of the requirements to verify right to rent, current EPC, gas safety cert, deposit protection, and a tenancy agreement.

I am primarily interested in a valuation, drafting a tenancy agreement, advice on ensuring CT/utilities are made the responsibility of and put in the name of the tenant.

Bearing in mind I have a prospective tenant (so no marketing required), who would be the appropriate professionals to approach? I'd like to avoid or defer signing on to a more complete management package.

Many thanks.

Neither a letting agent nor a solicitor is going to draft a tenancy agreement from scratch for you.

Eh? I'm pretty sure either of them will happily do so.

They just use a template. It’s not a custom draft and you can get your own templates either free from the government or peanuts from a landlord association. 

They do use a template, but you can add your own clauses.

I've added things like Clauses 14.6, 22.8 and 38.4 do not apply - When template has crap like chimneys must be swept, or no business to be conducted - lots of people work from home.

I also add stuff like any glass breakage howsoever caused is the tenants responsibility to repair, I had a bad experience once with a pair of idiots locking each other out ...

_Penny_Dreadful

Mr.Generous said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

user1977 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

bodorange said:

I am considering renting out an inherited property. It is a 1 bed (leasehold) flat. Cheap rental area. I have a prospective tenant. The flat will be rented unfurnished.

I'm aware of the requirements to verify right to rent, current EPC, gas safety cert, deposit protection, and a tenancy agreement.

I am primarily interested in a valuation, drafting a tenancy agreement, advice on ensuring CT/utilities are made the responsibility of and put in the name of the tenant.

Bearing in mind I have a prospective tenant (so no marketing required), who would be the appropriate professionals to approach? I'd like to avoid or defer signing on to a more complete management package.

Many thanks.

Neither a letting agent nor a solicitor is going to draft a tenancy agreement from scratch for you.

Eh? I'm pretty sure either of them will happily do so.

They just use a template. It’s not a custom draft and you can get your own templates either free from the government or peanuts from a landlord association. 

They do use a template, but you can add your own clauses.

I've added things like Clauses 14.6, 22.8 and 38.4 do not apply - When template has crap like chimneys must be swept, or no business to be conducted - lots of people work from home.

I also add stuff like any glass breakage howsoever caused is the tenants responsibility to repair, I had a bad experience once with a pair of idiots locking each other out ...

Sounds more like you’ve added things rather than taken them away. 

Not belong allowed to conduct business at the property is do with not having customers coming and going at all hours or storing masses of stock on the premises, not people who sit in front of a computer all day conducting meetings over WebEx. 

Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes you, the landlord, responsible to keep repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house, you can’t get out of your statutory obligation by adding a clause to the tenancy agreement. Yes, if the tenant is responsible for the damage you can charge them but you are responsible for getting it fixed.