Types Of Letting Agreements

admin    Tenants     letting agreement, property rental, rental home, rental property

There are two basic letting agreements regarding letting a flat or house.  Both agreements are legally binding and should be determined by how long the unit is needed for.  No matter which letting agreement is settled on, both parties should investigate all legal documents needing to be signed to protect themselves should a problem arise.

One of the letting agreements is called, Assured Shorthold. This agreement has to be for a minimum of six months without an increase in the rental amount during this time. At no time can a landlord evict a tenant before the end of the binding letting agreement, unless there is a court order and just cause.   After the term has expired, the tenant can be asked to leave.

The second letting agreement is called, Assured Tenancy. This agreement is a more secure rental when needing housing for a longer period of time.  The landlord can not evict the tenant before the expiry of the letting agreement unless there is eviction grounds filed with a court.  If a tenant receives a notice to vacate the property, it is advised to seek legal advice immediately.  Whether the flat or house is left unoccupied by the tenant before the end of the agreement, the tenant is still liable for the rent.  There is an option of subletting the flat to another occupant, however, the landlord must approve of this change in occupancy, therefore ending the agreement.

If a tenant is not sure which letting agreement is best suited for them, it is best to investigate each agreement before signing it.  If there are going to be joint or multiple occupants in one flat or house, and the agreement states, jointly or severally liable, than all tenants are responsible for the rent and any damage charges if one or all the tenants vacate the flat or house.

Once the flat has been agreed on, a tenant should agree with an inventory and schedule of condition with the landlord.  This letting agreement can be done by either party and should be signed by both parties at the beginning and end of each let cycle. An inventory and schedule of contents states the contents in the house or flat along with the cleanliness, decoration and damage, if any, of the unit.  This assures the tenant will not be charged or be held responsible for existing damage.  It also assures the landlord the state of the flat is in good working order.

Knowing what each letting agreement entails are imperative before signing any legal document.  Moving can be a stressful situation on its own, let alone, having the added stress of having to leave the flat or house at an unwanted time.

How to take Photos That Sell Your Property

admin    Landlords, Real Estate     landlord responsibilities, preparing rental properties, property rental, rental home, rental property, rental unit

Taking pictures of your property rental in preparation for letting out your property may seem like a no brainer. However, the truth of the matter is, unless your photos are done in such a manner that highlights the attributes and focuses on the positives, you may actually cause your property some “damage” in terms of the tenant’s opinion on the property.

Before you begin taking photographs of the rental unit, it is important to consider the type of family or tenants that would probably want to let the unit. The type of property rental will obviously influence the type of tenant but keep in mind the general surroundings and the location of the property too. If your property rental for instance were in a more mature area, with plenty of activities for the elderly population, your ideal tenant would be a senior citizen.
Likewise, a property rental near a school district would probably consider having a family let out the home.

Once your family has been determined, it is important to zone in on areas of the home they would probably spend the most time. A photograph of the outside of the home is one of the easiest ways to sell or hinder the appearance of the property rental.

Aim for a day that is sunny (ideally in springtime with new buds and flowers)
when the sky is clear. Pictures with dreary appearances, often give off an
unsettling image to tenants despite it only being the weather. Make sure the
garbage is clear, the lawn is tidy and the drive is free of dirt or weeds.

Photograph the rental home centrally, making sure to get a clear shot of any detailing or unique benefits the property has (for instance, bay window projections you may wish to photograph the property rental just off centre to show depth) As you make your way through the rental home, focus on areas the tenant will spend the most time. Places like front foyers, living spaces, bathrooms and kitchens are sure-fire ways to capture attention. Again, make sure the rooms are tidy, well kept, and if furnished, organised. A messy room gives a bad impression. Note any imperfections in the room that you may want to angle away from (for instance a scuff in the floor) that a tenant could live with, but may not want to see in a photo.

Try to keep your photographs lit with the room lighting, ideally taking shots from the entrance to the room. This angle will generally give potential tenants a better idea of the room layout, and a more honest perspective as to the sizing of the rooms too.

After you’ve taken your pictures, ask a friend or two to look at them. Generally, having another perspective of your “showing material” will give you a more honest outlook on the rental property or point out any flaw you may have overseen – saving you the frustration of tenants passing over your rental
property, instead of asking to see it.

Renting Out Houses In Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)

admin    Landlords, Tenants     HMO, property rental, rental home, rental property, rental unit