Reasons for going to the professionals

by Alasdair Seale

THERE are lots of reasons why landlords decide to use specialist residential letting agents to look after their properties. So can you do it yourself - or do you need professional help?  Well, there are probably several  factors  that you might want to take into account.

    It’s all about peace of mind – and lack of hassle. Do you really want to spend your days concerned about your property and your nights lying awake worrying about them? Do you want to speak to the Council Tax Registration Officer, the electricity and gas authorities and assorted tradesmen dealing with every conceivable kind of repair which might be needed in your flat from time to time?

    The specialist residential letting agents who are members of REAL Estate Agents can deal with all these worries for you. They can make sure that the property complies with the bucket-load of regulations produced by the Westminster government, the Scottish Parliament and the local councils.

     They can deal with HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Licensing for you. They will make sure your property is compliant with the gas safety regulations, the fire safety furnishing regulations and the ever-increasing  raft of odds and sods of red tape and regulations dealing with health & safety, asbestos identification, even water quality.

   As well as making sure that you and your property comply with the law, agents can advise on best practice – making sure the electrical installation and portable appliances are safe for the tenants to use, for example. Oddly, it isn’t a statutory obligation, but you’re obliged to make sure that all are safe.

    Quite apart from the physical and legislative angles of looking after the property there’s also the administration. Our lettings members can make sure that the lease or licence to occupy the flat is properly drawn up – this makes it all the easier in the event that you require to make changes to the arrangements, for example increase the rent or ask the tenants to leave.

   Even when the tenants are relatives or friends a well drawn lease is absolutely essential – in fact with relatives and friends it might be even more important!

   Agents will also draw up a comprehensive inventory of the contents and make notes of items of value and the condition of all items. This is an essential document when it comes to checking the property when the tenants vacate. 

   Again, legislation has crept into this area, and there are specific forms known as AT5s and AT6s which need to be served on tenants at specified times – indeed the timing of an AT5 is critical. It’s essential if you want a Short Assured Tenancy to be created that this document is served before the lease is signed - a common error among inexperienced landlords.

    So there you have it. Frankly, residential letting agents can’t guarantee peace of mind – but they can certainly make it more likely. And when the chips are down they will be full of useful advice and practical ways to resolve problems.

    Thanks for visiting the Property Guide website – enjoy browsing.

  • Alasdair Sealeis the managing director of Trinity Factors.