Advice for a new landlord

[kelley]

Hi,

I am a new excited landlord and am hoping you may be able to help me with the below questions:

1) I will be using an ARLA leting agent, is there anything 'in particular' apart from the obvious that you can recommend should be included in the AST for my benefit. eg. regular inspections etc.

2) I am letting unfurnished, am I making life easier by not leaving any kitchen applicances eg. washing machine etc, or putting off the professional tenant.

Any advice for this novice would be much appreciated.

[Yong Yeng]

Hi Kelley,

The letting agent should have the AST down to a tee, but just check through it anyway to make sure you are covered in the unfortunate scenario that there may be problems.

On letting unfurnished, you won't have to worry about the furniture being fire resistant and comply with the fire regulations "if you are not supplying any" and some tenants actually prefer to bring their own furniture anyway.

But to leave out washing machine and cooker etc, may well put off professionals. In fact the properties in Scotland that I have are mainly DSS and it puts them off renting if there isnt a cooker or washing machine supplied. Mind you, they are less likely to have the money to buy their own anyway, but I think a standard kitchen for letting should at least have a cooker. A washing machine can be argued or negotiated over.

This has been my own experience, hope this helps!

Cheers

Simon

[Paul_f]

Ask your agent if they are going to use the ARLA approved AST whihc indidentally is very good, and you might want to add in matter under "special tenancy conditions" that can be negotiated with the prospective tenant before drawing up the agreement such as pets. Any permitted pet should be desribed fully, i.e. type, breed (if identifyable), colour, size, name etc. If it moves on or dies then the tenant must approach you with details for any potential replacment for your approval first; that's how you stay in control of pets.

An outright ban on pets is unenforceable so you need to negotiate first. If the tenant agrees not to have pets then put it in the above section.

I could go on but you've a life to live!

[kelley]

Many thanks for the replies. I will take it all on board.

Great website for information by the way.

Kelley