Comments on: Tips / Advice For New Landlords

By: Andrew rimmer

Andrew rimmer — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:51:44 +0000

Please can you advise me how to work out the tax on my first ever rental property regards Andy

By: Alister Wyld

Alister Wyld — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:04:36 +0000

As a first time landlord about to commence a tenancy from next month, this is a very useful check list and much appreciated.

Is there not also a legal requirement for buildings and landlords insurance??

By: Simon Bayliss

Simon Bayliss — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:08:49 +0000

I will add that instances such as these with regards letting agency terms do us agents no favours at all. Similarly some agents have terms for Tenancy agreement renewals which can cost Landlords hundreds of pounds for little work on the part of the agent. Indeed in charging Tenants quite often for an agreement renewal also it may discourage a potential Tenant taking a property in the first place & lengthen the Landlords void??? The old question I guess- is the Agent working for/ with you or ………………?

By: Simon Bayliss

Simon Bayliss — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:00:42 +0000

In short, in my opinion, I would say the clauses would be deemed as unfair terms & therefore unenforceable. Particularly clause 16.2 which seems to suggest that the Tenant stops paying rent (?) if you market the property. Never heard that one before & would in effect put the Tenant in a vulnerable position. Crazy. You do not say how long the current Tenancy agreement is & how long left on it & how long the actual agreement with the agent. Also would it be sold with the Tenant in situ.? The answers to these questions would not though effect my opinion on your dilema. I will say that given this clause seems unfair then check the rest of your agreement for any other ‘surprises.’ I am sure any Solicitor would win a case on your behalf should it come to that, which hopefully it will not.

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:35:54 +0000

Hi I really hope you can help, my letting agent has a clause in my contract that says if i wish to sell I can only use them.

This is what is says re disposal of the property:-

16.1 should the landlord wish to sell the property the landlord agrees not to market the property or instruct any agent other than Northwood acting on his behalf to market the property for sale, or to make any arrangements to transfer ownership of the property until this agreement has expired.

16.2 in the event that the landlord acts to sell, to market or to otherwise transfer ownership of the property during the course of this agreement the tenant will immediately stop all payments to the landlord, save that in the event that the tenant is instructed to market the property for sale on behalf of the landlord, then payments may continue at the discretion of the tenant.

please can you help, is this legal. Can I therefore sell it myself (as that way i am not handing it over to another agent).

please please help me.

kind regards emma

By: Simon Bayliss

Simon Bayliss — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:57:54 +0000

With regards Landlords going private your advise is extremely good. As an agent for many years I certainly believe that with low returns more Landlords will convert to privately managing. I have started an internet based agency in Oxford partly with the idea of offering the private Landlord the best of internet advertising ie. rightmove, propertyfinder etc. at reasonable cost. While many will be able to deal with deposits, maintenance, agreements & other related tasks many will not have access to the advertising sources that the agents have. As over 85% of propects look on the internet then this is a far better way of promoting a property than a lineage ad in a newsapaper or card in a shop window. Additionally it attacts good quality Tenants. I charge £125 for a succesfull listing by the way.