In Part 1 of Back to School, Back to Basics we covered the pre-tenancy certifications and legalities of rental properties. Now in Part 2, we’re moving forward in the process and once a tenant has been secured.

Other Things to Consider…

• Apart from a robust tenancy agreement applicable to the type of rental you have agreed and an inventory check-in report, copies of the EPC, EICR and GSC will need to be issued to any tenant before the tenant move in along with the government’s How to Rent Guide. If not, this may affect your ability to apply for an eviction order if necessary in future.

• Landlords are also required to protect a tenant’s security deposit in a government-approved scheme, such as the DPS and also check your tenant’s right to rent in the UK. Documents need to be checked in-person or online via the government’s verification service.

• If you would like the reassurance of a rent guarantee or legal protection cover policy in case your tenants don’t pay rent or need to be evicted, your tenant will need to have passed referencing with a third party referencing company.

•  If you’re normally resident overseas or the property is owned by an overseas company, you should always confirm your tax requirements with HMRC. They have specific guidelines for non-resident landlords.

Finally, international student tenants travelling to the UK for their course often have to rent properties on the basis of photos and video viewings without having actually stepped foot in the front door – or you having met them in-person. It can be worthwhile to have a video chat to assess their suitability for your property and also make sure that the tenancy agreement reflects that the property has been taken ‘sight unseen’ to avoid being let down at the last minute.

If you would prefer to use the services of a qualified and experienced agency, book a quick call with us to discuss your rental property. We’d be delighted to help.