Advice for landlords

[fairy!]

Can any one reccomend a website where I can get info on being a landlord? (buy to let - renting out rooms) Stuff like legal requirements, like if you have to replace all the doors with fire doors, where you stand with taking a deposit, getting refs etc.
I've googled but didn't come up with much.

[lady_p_gold]

I know that my local authority do a leaflet about it so it might be worth checking with your local council. Also another idea might be to contact a letting agency and say that you are thinking of letting out your house with them as an agent and try and find out some guidelines from them. From what I recall, letting out a room is not as much hassle and you are allowed to earn a certain amount without paying tax. If you are letting the whole house I think it is well worth getting an agent to help as you will have to do and assured shorthold six month tenancy, and is it furnished etc. etc. however they will do all the references and deposits and things, even though they take a cut I think its worth considering.

[Buenchico]

The Association of Residential Letting Agents have lots of excellent advice for landlords:
http://www.arla.co.uk/info/landlords.htm

Also check out this:
http://www.letlink.co.uk/GeneralInfo/bealand.asp

Most local councils have leaflets with relevant information. Many also put this information online. Here's the link for Cherwell District Council:
http://www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/housing/landlordadvice.cfm

Chris

[fairy!]

Thanks guys :-)

Chris... how do you know where I live????

[Kathyan]

We let our house due to my husband being posted in the army. Get a letting agent to do all the work for you, it's much easier and gives you peace of mind should anything go wrong. Also invest in insurance to cover you should tenants default on the rent. We were lucky with the two tenants we had, but I have heard bad stories from people who did the letting themselves. The only requirement we had to have was a Gas safety certificate. A good letting agent will guide you through everything.

[henfold]

Try these people if you want some indepentent advice:

They run courses and Landlord Forums and do lots of work educating Local Authorities in how to work constructively with Landlords.

http://www.insidehousingsolutions.com/