Aggie Tukendorf of Horton and Garton Lettings gives her advice (Ad)

Whether you've made the active decision to invest in property or have had a change in circumstances, you might be embarking on a journey to letting a property for the first time.

To help new landlords, or perhaps those who've been letting property for some time who want to ensure they're doing everything they should be, the Lettings team at Horton and Garton Chiswick have created a landlord checklist for letting a property.

1. Preparation

If you're letting a property for the first time it's unlikely that it's had a professional deep clean. A deep clean is one of the first steps we'd propose a landlord takes as it can make a significant difference to how a property looks online and views in person.

Before a property can be marketed to let, or any viewings take place there must be a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in place. Properties that have low ratings of F or G cannot be rented and will need improvements to gain a higher rating before they can be let.  

We recently shared tips on how to improve your rental property in order to boost income, in case you're wondering if there's anything you could do to increase the rental value – read the article here.

2. Safety

A rental property should be safe and hazard free – it sounds obvious but it's really a very important step for landlords to ensure the property is habitable and free of things such as damp and mould.

Each local authority uses the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as a guide should a tenant report property to be unsafe.  

A rental property must also have an annual Gas Safety Check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer to confirm that all gas appliances and any flues are safe to use and in working order.

3. Marketing

To secure the best tenants, reduce the possibility of void periods and achieve the greatest return, find a local letting agent in Chiswick who you feel will represent you and your property well.

The lettings market might move at a fast pace but that doesn't mean landlords should settle for a mediocre service.

A property that views well online could be let down by an ill-informed and unprofessional letting agent on a viewing.

4. Referencing

Referencing is a standard part of any lettings process as a way for landlords to check that the prospective tenants have a good track record of paying rent on time, taking care of a property and that they have the means to pay the rent moving forward. 

By law, landlords in England must complete a Right to Rent check and confirm their tenants are aged over 18 and are permitted to rent a property in England.

Referencing checks are usually carried out by a letting agent, to ensure all the correct checks have been completed and the results shared with the landlord prior to move in. 

5. Documentation

There are certain documents that must be prepared and given to a tenant in advance of a tenancy beginning including the Tenancy Agreement, which is the document that places both landlord and tenant into a contractual agreement.

By law, a landlord must provide the tenant with a copy of the How to Rent guidance prepared by the government, a valid EPC and gas safety certificate, and a record of any electrical inspections.

For properties that are professionally managed it is likely that the managing agent will ensure a tenant has everything, they require by law. If you lead a busy lifestyle, a managing agent can be an excellent investment to ensure all paperwork is up to date.

6. Deposit

Within 30 days of receipt, it is the landlord's responsibility to place the tenant deposit money into a government-approved scheme and provide proof to the tenant of this being completed.

If you're working with a letting or management agent they'll usually assist with placing the tenant's deposit into a protected scheme.

A landlord should also consider the type of insurance they have in place, landlord specific insurance can be very valuable in a time of need.

Letting property in Chiswick

As seasoned West London agents, our team of experts has a wealth of knowledge that they're happy to share with landlords who are just beginning their rental journey. To support their many years of experience, the MARLA accreditation enables our agents to provide detailed information surrounding the formalities of letting your property.

To talk about letting your property in Chiswick, our local Lettings Manager, Aggie Tukendorf is available on 020 3989 5454 and would be delighted to have a no-obligation discussion regarding your plans.

Horton and Garton Chiswick represents discerning sellers and landlords across the W4 postcode area. If you're thinking about selling, long time Chiswick estate agent Paul Cooney can offer professional advice on the local market – get in touch.

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August 19, 2021