Becoming a Landlord and Location and Safety

There are certain things that you need to consider before becoming a landlord.
Researching the area where you want to buy a property is an extremely important step. You might also want to think about the kind of tenants you want.

Local agents can help you determine the right rate that your property will fetch. They will help you to understand what everyday necessities a tenant might have such as schools, commuting and transport links, and other local amenities.

If you do not want to find a prospective tenant on your own and neither do you want to pay someone else to do it then it is best to talk to someone from the area local authority of the housing office. You could also talk to local housing associations and let them know about your property and that you are planning to put it up for rent.

However the rents offered by these are slightly lower than the usual market rent. But the lease periods offered by them are longer and come with a guarantee even if the property happens to remain empty for a period of time. The association is responsible for the upkeep of the property too.

Once the selection of the property has been done, you need to upgrade it to a standard that is expected by your targeted tenant.

There are certain duties that come with becoming a landlord. You need to check that all the internal services provided in the house are safe. Therefore it is a must that you consider and check things such as gas, electricity, furniture and furnishings, smoke alarms and repair and maintenance.

Let us take a detailed look at each of these areas. An annual gas safety check has to be carried out by a contractor on all gas fittings, appliances and flues. This certificate or record must be retained for two years. A copy of the very same has to be provided to your tenants within twenty eight days of the completion of the check. A copy of the report has to be provided to other new tenants who will move into the house in the future.

It should be ensured that regular safety checks are carried out on all electrical appliances and wirings. Upholstered furnishings and furniture need to be flame resistant and compliant with fire regulations. Interconnected smoke detectors and alarms that are mains operated have to be installed in each floor.

One thing that has to be ensured before becoming a landlord is that you have to sign a tenancy agreement in advance that covers all the various clauses.

This agreement is a legally binding document that acts as a guideline and also sets out the legal responsibilities and rights of both the landlord and tenant. Templates for tenancy agreements are easily available from letting agents and legal firms.