The Smart Tenant: Questions To Ask Landlords

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As a tenant, when you are out trying to find a property to rent, you will come across a few options that will pique your interest. It may be the perfect white picket fence home you always dreamed of, and the rent may be right too. But take a step back and use this moment to evaluate. Making a rental decision is no easy choice, and a hasty decision could be a pricey one, not just in monetary terms, but also time invested.

A month down the road, and turns out you have no allocated parking space, you have to get rid of your poor adorable Retriever and your utility bills have skyrocketed.

To ensure that you avoid such unpleasant surprises, you need to interview your landlord well. Here are a few questions you should ask:

Question # 1: How old is the property?

Some houses in the UK have been constructed over a hundred years ago. While some of them have strong structural foundations, others may be subjected to dampness and other issues. Therefore, when you visit the house for inspection, make sure to ask your landlord specifications of the construction and if you need to be aware of any pressing maintenance issues.

Question # 2: How Many Tenants Have Lived In The Property?

Generally, if the house or apartment has been lived in by the landlord or other tenants, it bears a testament to the property’s worthiness. On the other hand, if the past tenants have moved in and out often, this may indicate some issues with the house, perhaps pertaining to the location or the unit billing charges. Ask questions about the history of the tenants.

Question # 3: What are the policies on maintenance and upgrades?

This is perhaps the most significant question. Ideally, it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that all necessary maintenance costs are covered to ensure the safety of the tenants. Make sure you ask questions about the painting, flooring, kitchen, landscaping, and other aspects that you may need to upgrade over the years. Who will pick up the cost? Are you allowed the freedom to make minor changes?

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants find houses for rent in the UK and assist landlords to get connected with tenants. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

Rental Scams: Protect Yourself

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With the help of online listings of rental properties, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, you have yourself an infinite source of information just a click away. With this surge in information come some risks as well- some individuals who use the anonymity of the internet to orchestrate and execute scams. While we take the credibility and security of our site seriously, many unreliable online rental information sources do not. To avoid such scams, our experts have put together a guide for you:

Scam # 1: The Rent Is Way Lower Than The House Rent Trend in UK

You know the saying, ‘if it’s too good to be true, it most probably is’. If the advertisement states a price significantly lower than other similar houses in the vicinity, something is clearly amiss. There is a possibility that the house is in need of major maintenance or the utility bills are extremely high.

Scam # 2: The Landlord Is Overseas

This is perhaps one of the oldest rental scam tricks in the book. If you are looking to rent a property, always ask to meet the landlord or at least an agent who will represent the owner.

Scam # 3: You Can’t View The Property Until You Pay Up The Deposit

This is another indication for the red light to go off in your head. No legitimate landlord will ask for a deposit fee or any other form of security fee before you visit the property. As a potential tenant, you need to inspect the look of the house before you come to any decision.

Scam # 4: Desperation To Rent Out

Some landlords may even appeal to charity by narrating a loss in the family or an urgent need for funds. They may be desperate to give out the property for rent. Beware of such a situation. It is generally encouraged that a cordial yet professional relationship be maintained between all parties, the tenant and the landlord. Being swayed by appealing to emotion could place you in a challenging position when you get hit by a massive utility bill later on.

Final Words…

When you’re searching for flats to rent in Leeds City Centre or any other part of UK, always perform a thorough background check, and keep an eye out for all of the abovementioned scams. Visit Letting Links to find yourself the right landlord.

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants find houses for rent in the UK and assist landlords to get connected with tenants. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

Mixing Business & Pleasure: Should You Rent Out To Family & Friends?

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If you are in the property management business, you probably often come across individuals who will expect some extra benefits and perks when renting. What if these individuals are your very own family members or close family friends? If you have an available private flat to rent out, can you really say no? Most importantly, SHOULD you say no? This can be quite a complicated situation to handle. Here are some tips on handling it.

Gaining A Deeper Understanding Of The Changed Relationship

Ideally, rental properties should be treated as a formal agreement between landlords and tenant. With the involvement of friend and families however, essential elements of the contract such as lease agreement, term of stay and security deposits become somewhat of a taboo topic. It is assumed that the level of relationship will resolve the disputes.

This relationship will be used as means to make several concessions on the requirements for a rental application and necessary background check. This could place both parties in the risk, without any contractual agreement to dictate the terms of the stay.

Avoiding Difficult Situations Later

1.     Be Honest About Expectations

It is important to understand that, unless you’re willingly making discounts and concessions, rental industry is after all a business and should be viewed as such. Try to make it clear in the beginning that the relationship, though personal, has now transformed into a business partnership as well, and that it is imperative that the terms of the agreement must be honoured under any circumstances.

2.     Make Sure They Have A Good Rental History

If the relative that you are considering to enter in a rental agreement with has an impeccable history and is known to be a regular payee who will maintain your property, then this should not be a problem in the least! You can also continue to enjoy a personal relationship with them without the fear of them taking advantage of the situation.

3.     Prepare To Deal With Inevitable Ramifications

A lease contract is after all a contract, and it will come to an end. Ensure that when the time arrives, no hard feelings remain on part of the property owner and tenant. Throughout the time of this arrangement though, it is essential you retain a sense of professionalism and courtesy.

With Letting Links, get houses for rent in Stockport or anywhere else in UK!

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants and landlords, anywhere in the UK, connect. With the help of our ever growing and progressive website, you can find a tenant or property. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

How To Be A Happy Tenant

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Congratulations! You were successful in finding a property to rent. Becoming a tenant sure comes with some perks, but it is also accompanied with certain responsibilities. In the midst of all these tasks and daily errands, what can you do to make your stay stress-free?

Here is a checklist of considerations to ensure you are a happy tenant!

1.     Ask Your Landlord On How Your Deposit Will Be Protected

As of 2007, the governments in England and Wales have sanctioned that letting agents and private landlords are to use government-approved tenancy deposit protection theme for the safeguarding of the tenant’s cash. There is a similar system implemented in Scotland as well. Your landlord is under obligation to secure your deposit in a scheme and inform you of the one he is using.

2.     When You Move In, Ensure The Inventory Is Up To Expectations

It is the responsibility of your landlord to provide you with the listings of all items in the property, like furniture, carpets, curtains, appliances, etc. This is referred to as the inventory, and in addition to a catalogue, must also contain the current condition of every item. If you are not provided with one, you may create it, get it signed by a witness, and send a copy of the report to your property owner.

3.     Security Comes First!

Are you living in a large place with multiple tenants? Make sure your landlord has an HMO license for the property. As per that, he is obligated by law to some additional safety responsibilities. Furthermore, also check if the gas and electrical appliance are relatively new and do not pose a safety hazard.

4.     Keep A Record Of Everything

It is essential to understand that, even if you enjoy a good, healthy or even a personal relationship with your landlord, you must keep a written record of all documents pertaining to the living arrangement. This includes the rental agreement, photographs you’d taken of the house prior to moving in, any proof of damage to the property, payment receipts for maintenance over time, and copies of all utility bills. This may not seem important right now, but this documentation and records will assist you if you ever end up in a dispute with your landlord. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Finally, to have a happy stay, always maintain and vie for a pleasant relationship with your private landlord. To find one, get check some of their properties right here.

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants find houses for rent in the UK and assist landlords to get connected with tenants. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

Evicting Tenants: Rules You Must Follow

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After all the trouble that you went through to find a tenant, there will eventually come a time when you may want them to vacate your property. Whatever the reason, due to the sensitivity of the situation, you may want to go about it specifically, “by the book” as they say, or else risk being guilty of illegal eviction of your tenants. Keeping the rules in mind will not only protect you from any future lawsuit but also your tenants. Here are some rules to follow:

The Kinds Of Rental Agreement:

Periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancies

If the tenancy has no fixed end and operates on a weekly or monthly system, then it is a periodic tenancy. According to the Government of UK, you must:

1. Submit to them a ‘Notice to Quit’ that specifies a date.
2. If by the deadline, your tenants have failed to vacate, send them a ‘Notice of Intention to Seek Possession’. This implies that legal proceedings may follow.
3. Once you have accomplished the first two steps, you can approach the court for an order of possession which gives you legal permission to evict your tenants and gain repossession.
4. Finally, if this still doesn’t convince the tenants, you must apply for a warrant for eviction and have your tenants forcefully evicted from the property with the help of bailiffs.

Fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies

In this type of tenancy, your tenants have a fixed duration stay. If they fail to vacate even after receiving the notice at the end of the pre-decided stay duration, follow the abovementioned steps from Step 2.

Excluded Tenancies

If your tenants live with you in the same property, you may not need to go to the court. Here is what you need to do:

1. Provide them with a ‘Reasonable Notice’ to quit. This generally means that you need to submit this notice a week prior. It could be verbal as well.
2. After that, if they refuse to leave, the law dictates that you have the capacity to change the locks on their rooms, after their belongings are provided to them.

Rules For Assured And Regulated Tenancies

In case you have let a private flat for rent prior to February 27, 1997, a different set of regulations may be applied that may lean in favor of your tenants.

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants and landlords, anywhere in the UK, connect. You can find a tenant or property via this website. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses. Here is how you can connect with them:

Website:

http://www.lettinglinks.com/

Address:

BMA Corporation LLP

149 Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport,

Cheshire, SK6 8DY

Email:

sales@lettinglinks.com

Dress To Impress: Home Staging Tips

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Before the deal is sealed, tenants in search of a private flat to rent prefer visiting the home to get an idea of the kind of setting they will be living in. Is there adequate lighting? Are there any major repairs required? Does the house look “shabby”? Some of them can be a bit picky. To ensure that your home scores high during this visit, you need to dress it appropriately to make an impact on them. We have some great tips for you to do just that!

1.     The First Impression Is Definitely The Last

While your prospective tenant doesn’t expect a house right out of the Modern Homes magazine, they do expect a place that is visually impressive and secure. The exterior of the construction is the first aspect they will notice. This will be the basis on which they may judge the inside of the home as well. Your goals should be to make your property look appealing from the very start. Focus on making your entrance look clean and welcoming.

2.     Arrange For Adequate Natural Lighting

It has been observed by interior designers that natural sunlight allowed in a setting can make the room appear bigger, and can help establish its allure. Therefore, push the draperies aside to allow the light to flow in and enhance the appearance of the place.

3.     Use Some Art-Work As Decor

A cold empty room has negative associations attached to it. As a landlord, you want to really sell the idea of your apartment by making an emotional connection. Using some form of artistic expression, such as a painting hanging on a wall, a neatly designed vase, or a photograph can really add to the attractiveness of the venue.

4.     Feel Free To Invest In Minor Repairs

The rent you intend to charge needs to be justified. The minute the tenant enters your property, they are mentally checking things off against your asking rent. So if there are paint chippings in some areas, a broken knobs or two or some minor plumbing issue, it is recommended to have it all fixed before the visit.

Whether you have a flat to rent out in Bristol, or anywhere in UK, get in touch with tenants right here! Tenants interested in finding a place to rent may also find their dream house at Letting Links!

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants and landlords, anywhere in the UK, connect. With the help of our ever growing and progressive website, you can find a tenant or property. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

Tenants: Creating a Profile

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For most tenants, finding the right property to rent is not a task easily accomplished. If you think you’ve found just the house for yourself, the rent may be way beyond your means; or with the right rent, the location might be the problem. To eliminate these failures and disappointment, Letting Link introduces a facility profile creation.

With the help of this feature, tenants and landlords will be able to connect with each easily and faster!

What Does Your Tenant Profile Look Like?

The process of creating the Tenant Profile is quite simple. It is important to note that this is not an alternative to a rental application. It is simply a great and convenient way to connect with landlords. All you need to do is sign up right here, provide a brief description of the location preference and the rent you are willing to pay, and you are good to go!

So, Why Do We Need Tenant Profiles Again?

As of late, the need for tenants to make their presence known has become essential. It offers them the facility of letting the landlord come to them! Furthermore, this works well for landlords as well, who, even after numerous advertisements, have not received the desired response. They can simply find tenants using Letting Link Tenant Profile.

Quick scenario: Let’s say for instance, you have been unsuccessfully searching for an apartment to rent in Manchester City Centre. On creation of an account on Letting Link as a tenant, you provide details like the location preference and the minimum and maximum rent you are willing to pay. This is then displayed on the “Tenant Search”.

A few days later, Voila! You get a message (via your account) by a prospective landlord from Manchester City Centre who is acceptable to your rent limit!

So hurry up and create your profile now!

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants and landlords, anywhere in the UK, connect. With the help of our ever growing and progressive website, you can find a tenant or property. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.

Avoiding Bad Tenants

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As a landlord, you need to manage your rental business with professionalism and effectiveness. Part of the deal is also discerning between a tenant with a clean history and one that will cause you numerous sleepless nights. So, once you find a tenant, how exactly do you screen them and identify the bad ones?

If you’re not too sure, we’re here to help. Just read on to find out how you can successfully avoid bad tenants, and consequently enjoy a good rental business:

1.     Never Rely On Your Instincts

As humans, we tend to be slaves of our own mind, and make big decisions based on little to no rationality. This is due to our inclination to rely primarily on our instincts. While we cannot completely ignore instincts, it is not feasible to rent out your property to an individual based on just that. We often come across experienced landlords who rent out their private property only to have the tenant default on rental payments and cause many damages within the first few months.

2.     Take A Look at Past Landlord References

Who better to judge your prospective tenants than their previous landlords themselves. While you are in the process of screening applicants as tenants, make sure to run a quick background check. If you’ve set a criterion to fill out a rental application (recommended), then you will have access to former place of residence. Call up the previous landlord to get feedback on the individuals. Did they pay the rent in a timely manner? Was there any misconduct on their part? Did they ever get into trouble with the Law? These are some of the questions you need to focus on.

3.     If Possible, Get Income Verification

Ask your tenant to submit records of their bank statements and deposit evidence. If they insist that the information is too private or sensitive for disclosure, insist on providing other forms of verification of a steady cash income.

4.     Ask Who Will Be Moving In

If the property is being inspected by one individual, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she will be the only one moving in. To get a clear picture, just inquire.

As a landlord, get in touch with different tenants! Become a private Lettings landlord now!

Letting Links is a social networking platform specifically designed to help tenants and landlords, anywhere in the UK, connect. With the help of our ever growing and progressive website, you can find a tenant or property. Furthermore, individuals can also make use of the directory to register their businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer services department at sales@lettinglinks.com. We would be happy to oblige you.