Put Up Your House to Rent With Complete Confidence

Putting up your house to rent can be a lucrative business, but it needs careful planning and attention to detail if you are going to see the process right through. In preparing your property for tenants, it is very important that as a landlord you meet the legal obligations and make the best of your relationship with your renters.

This landlord checklist for renting a house will guide you through the most important steps in getting your property ready for rental and steering clear of some common mistakes.

1. Evaluate Your Property’s Condition

The first step in preparing your house to rent is to assess the condition of the property. Walk through your property and note any areas that may need repairs or cleaning. It is important to fix any structural issues, such as leaks or broken appliances, before listing the property for rent.

• Repairs and Maintenance – Make sure all the appliances, plumbing, electrical systems, and fixtures are in proper functioning order. If necessary, paint or replace carpets to eliminate stains. A fresh coat of paint and an immaculate and tidy home can make all the difference.
• Safety Issues – Check that all safety precautions are taken. This can include testing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and testing whether the property meets all gas and electrical safety laws.

2. Maintain Compliance with Local Laws

As a landlord, it is highly recommended that you take steps to ensure your property meets all local and national regulations to protect you and your tenants. Requirements vary depending on the area in which you are located, so research what your area requires before you begin renting your property.

• Gas Safety Certificate – The law requires landlords in the UK to perform a gas safety check every 12 months using a qualified engineer. You should provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to tenants.
• Energy Performance Certificate – This is legally required for all properties to let, and a copy is to be issued to the tenant before he takes possession. The EPC gives the property an energy rating and aids the tenant in understanding the possible energy costs.
• Tenancy Agreements – A good tenancy agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant. This legally binding document should be signed by both parties before the tenancy is started.

3. Establish the Rent and Terms

The rent amount is the key to attracting the right tenants. If it is too high, you may not be able to find tenants; if it is too low, you may not be able to cover your costs. Research the local rental market to determine competitive pricing for similar properties in your area.

• Rental Price – You can get an idea of the rent charged for similar properties in your area through websites and local listings. You may also want to speak with a property agent or use property management software to gauge fair pricing.
• Lease Terms – Stated how often rent is due, i.e., every six months, 12 months, etc., what day of the month and by what method. Some landlords require a deposit upon the commencement of tenancy, so if applicable state this here.

4. Prepare the Property for Viewings

Once your property is in good condition and compliant legally, the next thing would be to make it presentable to your future tenants. First impressions do indeed count, so your house needs to be clean and inviting.

• Cleaning – It would require deep cleaning prior to being let out to prospectus tenants. Ensure that carpets are cleaned, windows are clean and all the surfaces are dusted and disinfected.
• Staging the Property – You don’t have to furnish the whole house, but here and there a few pieces of furniture or decor will help them visualise themselves in the space. A fresh bouquet of flowers or clean towels will add to the welcoming touch of the property.

5. Advertise Your Property

To let your house quickly, you need to advertise it effectively. Apply online and offline channels to announce your property to prospective tenants.

• Online Listings – Websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and Gumtree are top portals for advertising a house to rent. Ensure clear and high-quality photos are attached with a well-written description featuring the best attributes of the property.
• Social Media – You can use social media for personal use or community groups to get the word out. You may also want to place a “For Rent” sign outside the property to catch locals’ attention.

6. Screening Tenants

Once you start getting responses, it is time to screen for tenants. You are looking for tenants who are reliable and will take good care of your property besides being prompt in paying their rent on time.

• References and Credit Check – This would include asking references from previous landlords regarding the history of the tenant as a lessee. You should also run a credit check to make sure they can afford the rent.
• Right to Rent Check – All landlords in the UK are supposed to carry out a check on their tenants to verify that they have a legal right to rent. This covers the verification of immigration status and the lack of legal disqualification to rent.

7. Review and Signing of the Lease Agreement

Having identified a tenant, you have to formalise the details in writing. Ensure that the written tenancy agreement states any rules, policies, or procedures of renting in as great of detail as the proposed rental price, deposit, and length of tenure of this tenancy.

• Deposit Protection – Protection of a tenant’s deposit: In the UK, this is compulsory. You need to provide your tenants with the actual details on how their deposits are protected.
• Sign the Tenancy Agreement – You and the tenant will have to sign the lease agreement, which will make it legally binding and protect both parties.

8. Ongoing Management

Your job does not end once your tenant moves in. Ongoing property management is an important part of running a rental business smoothly.

• Communication – Always keep the lines of communication open with your tenants. Attend to any maintenance requests quickly, and the property should be kept in good condition.
• Regular Inspection – Regular inspections will help the property be in good shape. Ensure that proper notice is given to the tenants before entering the property.

Conclusion

Putting up your house to rent is both rewarding and complex. Using this landlord checklist to rent out a house will help make sure your property is prepared for taking in tenants. Each step that one may follow in finding the most reliable tenant for one’s house will be quite fundamental for successful house renting and easy to go through without hitches for both landlord and tenant. The documents you will need to put up your house to rent in the UK are a Gas Safety Certificate, an Energy Performance Certificate, a Tenancy Agreement, and Proof of Deposit Protection. With these in place, you will be all set to let your house with complete confidence.