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hi,
have any of you guys been a landlord?
i have decided to let out my house to tenants as i'm moving
do you guys have any advice on the subject?
i was going to use a letting agency but they charge quite a bit for this service and i have heard that a lot of them don't do the proper checks etc.
thanks in advance.

My advice, having been a landlord for 6 months last year, DON'T!!!!!!!

Mart

come on, give some experiences else it makes the comment a bit worthless

Jeff, there are two types of letting agents, those who will (for a fee) look for a tenant, then make sure they are suitable and also act as a landlord for you, so they get all the complaints repair issues etc and then pass them on to you. Or there are agents who simply find you a Tennant, and have the agreement drawn up.
The best deal if your worried is the first one but there is a fee, like a service charge, but you can ask them to be your agent on your behalf, so you are trusting them to look after your rented property. Best to see a letting agent and see what thier fees are for both services etc..., also leave it furnished even with cheap stuff.

Rented my flat to a really nice couple who paid for the first month then told me they had squaters rights and it would take me 8 months to get them out and would cost me 5k in legal costs. If I let then stay for 6months free without any agro or rent they would find somewhere else to live after that.
I also have heard there is now a new rule on taking a deposit from tennants so check up at your council. It took me 2 weeks to get my flat back and it was a mess with stuff broken etc. I did keep all their belongings and sold some of it rest went into skip.

Phil McC

Don't know if my experience is totally relevant because tenancy laws may be different here.
But I think you have to take every precaution in checking on your tenants references and even then you may get problems; how do you know that the previous landlord is genuine?
I've heard bad stories about letting agents in the UK, not checking regularly on the state of the property, not pursuing rent arrears etc.

Mart

DON'T do it Jeff, if you do, you may regret it.
Squatters Rights, infringements of human rights etc