Letting a Property Guide
Preparing your property for letting
Presentation is key when letting your property, keep your colour schemes neutral and remove all clutter to appeal to the widest market possible.
If you don’t have the time to repaint or need some external help, below are links to local property services:
Painter and Decorators
Plasterers
Electricians
Plumbers
Garden Services
Tilers
General Builders
Windows & Glaziers
These will help to achieve maximum rental potential.
Professional cleaning services should also be hired before letting your property.
Consider your target market. Who do you think might rent your property? Tailor your space to appeal to the largest market without alienating other groups that might also be interested.
Obligations
The landlord's obligations are as follows:
1. The landlord must keep the property in "tenantable repair", however this excludes having to carry out repairs during the tenancy due directly to fair wear and tear.
2. Allow the tenant to "peaceably hold and enjoy the premises" during the tenancy, as long as the tenant complies with all the terms of the tenancy.
3. To keep the property insured against fire and other risks.
4. To return any rent money paid, whilst the property is uninhabitable due to fire or other insured incidents.
5. To pay all outgoings and taxes not payable by the tenant.
The landlord also has the following additional rights:
1. To enter and take possession of the property if rent is unpaid for 14 days or more, where the tenant breaches the terms of the tenancy or becomes bankrupt or enters into an arrangement with creditors.
2. Any unclaimed property left at the premises and not claimed within a set period can be disposed of.
3. If the tenancy has a break clause either the landlord or the tenant can exercise this after the first six months of the tenancy.
All landlords and letting agents who take deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales must join a Government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme. Within 14 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with details of the scheme chosen by him to safeguard the deposit. Details of the 3 schemes and further information can be found at:
The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS)
Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd (TDSL)
The Dispute Service (TDS)
It is also essential that adequate insurance is taken out for both the building and your contents, also that you inform the insurance company that the property is to be let and extend the policy to cover this and all your liabilities. The policy should also cover the property when it is empty, for example when the Tenant is away on holiday or between tenants.