private landlord's guide

If you are willing to put in the extra effort, there's no reason why you can't market and manage your rental property privately - and keep more of the cash! We have produced the following guides to assist the private landlord:-

• Property Advertising Packages & Prices
• Writing a property description
• Presenting your home
• Conducting a viewing/interview
• The tenancy agreement
• Your rights as a landlord
• Regulations/responsibilities
• Advertise my property

With so much information and advice available on-line nowadays, you don't have to use a Lettings Agency or Estate Agent in order to rent out property. It is perfectly possible to do this yourself to maximise your income and return on investment. Our advice is to talk to several Letting Agents to find out what services they provide and the associated costs before making the commitment to become a private landlord.

You can determine the amount of rent yourself by browsing the local property guides for similar properties. There are also several local Letting Agents who may be willing to advise you on the likely rental income (which will be dependent on the property, its condition and location) in the hope that you will subsequently instruct them to let and manage the property on your behalf (which you may decide to do).

If you choose the option of being a private landlord, you can market your property in two ways:-

Advertise locally

You can advertise your property in a number of places:- the local press, newsagents and other local shops, work noticeboards, possibly even in supermarkets. You may also want to buy or make your own "To Let" sign.

Using the internet

Over half (55%) of households in Great Britain are now online (source: National Statistics, May 2005). There are a number of UK property sites around to market your property commission-free. The House Gallery is your local internet advertising company and we can help by advertising it on-line to a targeted audience in Rugby and its surrounding area. Our easy-to-use and comprehensive website is promoted by eye-catching weekly adverts in the Property section of local papers. You will need to provide a contact number or e-mail address in your property advert so that potential tenants can contact you directly. You are then responsible for showing people round the property, negotiating the monthly rental and payment of it and, most importantly, preparing a detailed tenancy agreement (which specifies your rights as a landlord and the limit of the tenant's rights).

Whichever your method of marketing your property, you must get permission from your mortgage lender (if you have a mortgage on the property) or told your freeholder.

You must also advise your insurers.