Landlord Guide To Renting

Landlord to do list

As an experienced real estate agency we strongly advice owners to take the following steps before a tenant moves into their property…

1. Welcoming the tenant

-          Welcome package: for that added personal touch, we advise you to put together a useful welcome pack for your tenant.

-          Clean: it goes without saying that landlords should make sure the house is clean in order to start the tenancy on a good note. You should also finish any small odd jobs that need to be done before renting out your property.

-          Appliance guidance: leave instructions/manuals for all appliances in the property; including ovens, washing machines, fridges and freezers. Not only is this helpful for the tenant, it will also save you receiving phone calls about how to turn the oven on!

-          Contact information: compile a list of emergency contact numbers for your tenant, including your own.

2. Helpful inventory
- Put together an inventory of all furniture and fittings and make sure the tenant agrees and signs it before moving in. This will help to settle deposit disputes at the end of the tenancy.

3. Safety first

- Obtain safety certificates for gas safety and an energy performance certificate (EPC).

- If you are letting your property furnished, your furniture will need to comply with fire safety regulations.

- Explain how to use any safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

- Draw to the tenant’s attention the location of any fire doors or window locks.

- Demonstrate to the tenant how to operate the burglar alarm (if applicable).

Checklist
- Get 2 sets of keys cut
- Clean the property
- Put together an inventory
- Obtain safety certificates
- Collect tenant references
- Transfer utilities and take meter readings
- Leave instructions for all appliances & explain all safety equipment.
- Compile a welcome pack
- Compile a list of emergency contact numbers, including your own.