A brief guide to letting your property

Getting Your Property Ready For Rental

Once you have decided to rent out your property you’ll want to maximise the letting potential by making sure you address the condition, the quality of the presentation and attention to detail. The most important thing to remember is that you are not going to be living in the property, so personal taste should take second place to what the market demands. Better properties do tend to attract better tenants and therefore yield the highest rents.

Exterior

The first thing that a potential tenant sees is the front of the property, so the exterior should be in good, fresh decorative order. Any pathways and driveways should be cleared of weeds and should be tidy and rubbish free. Tidy up the garden by trimming the hedges and mowing the lawns, dig up any dead plants and perhaps add some new ones. If a garage is included with the property, it should be cleared and made ready for use.

Utility Services

Ensure that all available utilities are connected to the property including, telephone line, gas, water and electricity. Where provided, check any LPG/OIL tanks are in working condition and full and that any septic tanks attached to the property are emptied.

Furnishings, Carpets, Curtains & General Interior

Your property can be let fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished, this will be entirely up to you. We can advise you at the time on whether to furnish or not, and to what level. You’ll find that most tenants prefer plain, neutral colours for decoration and you will also need to take into consideration wear and tear, especially on carpets. Carpets should be good quality, practical and hard wearing. Whatever you decide, it should be good enough to last. All electrical, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Any instruction/operating manuals for any appliances and electrical equipment should be left in the property. Details of any maintenance contracts should also be supplied. Before the commencement of a tenancy the whole property should be made clean throughout.

Other Important Considerations

Mortgages – If you have a mortgage on the property that you intend to let, you will need written permission from your mortgage lender. Some mortgage lenders wish to include extra clauses within the tenancy agreement.

Leases – If you are the leaseholder of the property then you will need to check the terms of the lease and prior to letting obtain any necessary permissions.

Council Tax & Utility Services – Arranging for transfer of the council tax and utility services in to the correct tenant name is part of our services. We can assist in taking meter readings for each of the services connected to the property.

Insurance – You should advise the insurance company that you are letting out the property and you should make sure that you have adequate insurance cover for buildings and contents (if applicable). Failure to notify your insurer may invalidate your policies.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your individual requirements in more detail, please call us on 01484 537988