10 Things a Landlord should do before a tenant moves in

Ten things landlords should do before a tenant moves into their property, by the expert Letting agent in Guildford – BELVOIR!

1. Come clean
If I was to let out my property I would ensure the property was immaculate throughout with gardens freshly cut, it goes without saying that landlords should make sure the house is clean, however, some don’t and this does not get things off to a great start. You should also finish any small odd jobs that need to be done before renting out your property too.

2. Helpful inventory
Put together an inventory of all furniture and fittings... and make sure the tenant agrees and signs it before they move in. Conduct a proper photo inventory depicting the exact condition of the property prior to tenants moving in, this will help to settle deposit disputes at the end of the tenancy.

3. Appliance guidance
Leave instructions/manuals for all appliances that will be left at the property, including cookers, washing machines, fridges and freezers. Not only is this helpful for the tenant, it’ll save you having to answer phone calls about how to turn the cooker on! Give the tenant all the information upfront so they won’t have to bother you with small issues later. Any appliances left should be in a good condition and be fit for use too. If you’re renting out your own home, don’t forget to empty, defrost and clean your fridge/freezer either”

4. Tried and tested
Obtain safety certificates for gas safety and an energy performance certificate (EPC). The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to ensure electrical installations and electrical appliances are safe for use and electrical safety and PAT test reports must be provided. No tenant should be allowed to move in without the safety certificates and checks having been carried out. If you are letting your property furnished, your furniture will need to comply with fire safety regulations and have the correct labels to prove this too.

5. First contact
Compile a list of emergency contact numbers for your tenant, including your own. Plus, put together a trouble-shooting sheet so tenants know how to react in an emergency. Provide tenants with a written process of how to handle any emergency situations, for example, burst pipes, gas leak or robbery etc.

6. Postal orders
Before a tenancy, take meter readings and transfer all utilities and Council Tax (if it’s not included in the rental agreement) to the new tenant. Arrange for the final readings of gas/water/electricity meters (give at least 48 hours notice), also arrange for your final telephone bill and notify the company of your change of address. And redirect your mail too. Be sure to redirect all mail if you’ve previously lived at the property as tenants often get annoyed with landlords coming back to the property each week to pick up their post

7. Safety first
Explain how to use any safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets, plus point out any fire doors or window locks and show the tenant how to work the burglar alarm, if you have one. Functioning of all vital connections, points, stop valves, fuses and security devices should be fully explained to the tenants in case of any emergency

8. A warm welcome
For that added personal touch, put together a useful welcome pack for your tenant. I think it’s lovely when a landlord makes a quick welcome pack for a tenant. This could include information such as how to use certain items and when the bins are collected etc. It usually gets the relationship between the landlord and tenant off to a great start and, unfortunately, not enough people do this.

9. It’s good to talk
Ensure that the tenant knows what is expected of them during the tenancy and make sure you know what they expect from you too. t is mandatory to explain to tenants their obligations to ensure that the property is handed back to the landlord in the same condition it was given. A face-to-face meeting is usually a good idea as it will help to establish a rapport between you both and give them the opportunity to answer any questions they may have.

10. Management matters
Make your life easier by asking a good property management agency, such as Belvoir, to do all the hard work for you. If they take on the full management of your property they are likely to do much of the above on your behalf.


At-a-glance checklist:
- Get keys cut
- Redirect mail
- Clean the property
- Put together an inventory
- Get safety certificates
- Get the necessary insurances
- Collect tenant references
- Transfer utilities and Council Tax
- Take meter readings
- Leave instructions for appliances
- Explain all safety equipment
- Put together a welcome pack
- Compile a list of emergency contact numbers, including your own
- Arrange a meeting with the tenant
- Get a property management agency to do all the hard work for you.

Guildford letting agent

Morning all!

Well the student season continues to be in full swing. Today, some advice for students. The single most important part of getting a good property is to make sure you and your parents are aware of the need for them to guarantee the rent. Often this will need to be "joint and severally liable" which means they guarantee the entire tenancy - DON'T let this put you off, it is standard practise and in the real world landlords chase the defaulting tenant, none the less if things do go badly wrong you are all liable for the full rental amount.
Secondly - know your budget and what you want before conducting viewings. Do you want everybody to have a double room? How many bathrooms do you need? Do you know which part of town you need to be? Don't go to viewings if you haven't talked this through as a group and with the agent that is showing you the house - an agent can save you lots of time by answering a few questions on the phone first.
Thirdly, book viewings when the whole group can see the property, or at least as many as possible - and turn up! Agents will soon remove you from their list if you don't attend and other groups will get the better properties.
Finally - when you know a property is OK, get a move on with securing it. There are numerous other tenants competing for the small number of properties actually allowing students.
Call you local friendly agent to discuss your needs, maintain a relationship as some properties will go before they are on the internet and you should get the property you want. Also, try and think in terms of rent and bills per month rather per week. I know the market advertises per week but £20 extra a month in the scheme of things (pizza, night out etc) is very little to secure a nicer, cleaner, larger home in the right location.
Happy hunting folks. Be quick though as we have already let 25% of our student stock in 2 weeks of the season starting!
www.belvoirlettings.com/guildford

Letting market in Guildford Jan 2011

We have seen the start of the students looking for accommodation for next year. My advise to landlords in Guildford that are looking to rent out a property to students next year is below.
Firstly - Find out NOW if your current tenants are going to re-sign for another year. If they are not, although it feels early, now is the time to start the marketing of your property for August!
We are conducting about 4 viewings a day for students at the moment.
Liaise with your tenants and come to an arrangement for viewings - never assume you can just enter your property when you please.
Make it clear exactly what you are including in the rental price - i.e furniture, bills etc
Check the students all have a UK based guarantor and ensure all parties are aware they will be joint and severally liable before doing any viewings - this saves everyone time.
Check how sure the group is sure of their numbers, at this early stage it could change.
On securing an offer - make sure you take a holding fee and get an agreement to lease at a future date signed.
You should then obtain references for the tenants that want to rent your property AND their guarantor. Do credit checks and get employers references for the guarantors.
All this work can be done by a local Letting Agency in Guildford saving you lots of time and possibly securing youa higher rent whilst giving you peace of mind.
Before the move in make sure all the utility companies are informed, you have a statement of condition and lodge a deposit with a relevant scheme - remember you can be find 4 times the deposit if you dont lodge it correctly!
If you need any further advise on letting any property not just student ones, contact your local Guildford Letting Agent - Belvoir Lettings via www.belvoirlettings.com/guildford or call us on 01483 537200

Letting Agent in Guildford - update

Thought I would get fingers to keyboard for the first time this year and give an overview of the lettings market at the moment in Guildford.
Please visit our website at http://www.belvoirlettings.com/guildford for more details about the services we offer.
The demand for properties has seen a sharp rise as soon as the Christmas holidays ended. Tenant demand is as high as ever and there continues to be a shortage of properties to meet this demand. We have 15 viewings booked for Saturday morning, 6 all on the one property! As the sales market struggles and publishes some of the lowest ever figures for December the time has come for many people selling their home to look at facilitating a move via a let-to-buy mortgage. Many of the properties to rent in Guildford are through "accidental landlords". If you are becoming a Guildford landlord for the first time there are many potential legal pitfalls and it is essential you use a good letting agency to help you through this process. Ensure they are NALS registered and members of The Property Ombudsman. Most letting agents will give a free property appraisal, use this as a chance to see what levels of service you think they can offer as well as which types of tenants they normally attract.
Belvoir lettings in Guildford will offer a personal service with regular communication, and keep you informed from the marketing process and interest attracted right through to the end of the tenancy with their fully managed service.
If you are thinking of going it alone be warned of the need for legal certificates such as EPCs, electrical and gas safety plus ensure your insurance is valid when letting your property and you have the mortgage lenders permission.
For some free advise please contact your local NALS registered Letting Agent.We can help with Insurance, Mortgages, Wealth management, finding a rental property and of course finding high quality tenants for your Guildford property

Regards

Belvoir Lettings Agency Guildford