GrosAve Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Hello all again, I am in the process of my current tenants leaving at the end of this month and am looking for new ones. Can I please ask for some advice from you more experienced landlords? I appreciate there are websites I could use to find this out but I get confused at so many! I do hope you don't mind me asking so many questions in one go . I should mention that up to now I have used a letting agency to find my one and only tenants I've had for the past 3 years. They are moving to a larger property and I have decided to do it myself this time. I have put an ad in Gumtree, 2 x local papers and a staff magazine at Heathrow Airport. Does anyone have a set list of generic questions I can use to ask the prospective tenants?What websites do you use for Reference Checks on prospective tenants? Are there standard forms for the tenants to fill out at the interview for this?Is there a generic form to send to a recent, previous landlord requesting a reference with questions?Is there a generic form to send to an Employer requesting a reference with questions?Deposit Schemes - are these essential? If so which one would you suggest?Can anyone suggest where I may go to get a Gas Safe Certificate? I have contacted local people to my property on this site - http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/re..._landlords.aspx - is there a standard cost?Thanks you so very much for your help in advance. Kind regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkerz Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi Paul I find myself facing a similar situation shortly. The info I have found out so far is: There is a site called www.propertyhawk.co.uk that offers free forms / checklists / tenancy agreements. As a non-expert, I don't know how good the site is and haven't been able to find any reviews (good or bad). Another site www.landlordlet.com can do credit checks / screening from £20 and I believe you can charge the prospective tenants for this. You HAVE to have a deposit scheme. (If you want a deposit!) The governments www.depositprotection.com is free. You've done the right thing for the gas safety certs - I had to pay a fixed price per appliance but the total was less than £60. Don't forget you'll need an 'Energy Performance Certificate', these weren't required when your last tenant moved in. Again, I can't vouch for any of this - it's just info I have gathered together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkerz Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Also found this site which may be useful: http://www.primelocation.com/guides/lettin...ing-a-landlord/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
director Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Paul Get a good reference carried out. Get a good legal expenses and rent guarantee policy and get good buildings insurance - i found discount landlord insurance to be good Good Luck Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjcollett Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi, I have just uploaded an article / checklist for managing a property yourself - may be of help to you? http://virtualletz.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoo Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 The VirtualLetz blog is all sound advice IMO and very thorough. I think there are other companies who also offer the same service so do some price comparisons. There was one company that charged a flat £50 to put your property on rightmove for a month and connect you with tenants. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjcollett Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Yes, on VirtualLetz.com it is a flat fee of £29.95 to advertise the property on Rightmove, Zoopla etc until let. They handle all tenant enquiries and pass on to the landlord. The VirtualLetz blog is all sound advice IMO and very thorough. I think there are other companies who also offer the same service so do some price comparisons. There was one company that charged a flat £50 to put your property on rightmove for a month and connect you with tenants. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simhar Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hi, These guys are pretty good for finding tenants and as their name suggests have no agent involved: http://www.discountletting.co.uk/ Hope this helps. Best regards Property Management Software - Property Management Software for property professionals and investors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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