Guidance and tips for a successful tenancy

As buy to let specialists, we are dedicated to working with you to give landlords the mortgage finance they need and enable them to maximise their investment.

We don’t just stop there though. We also use our experience and expertise to keep you, and other brokers, on the front foot, by providing information on the rental market. This information is designed to help enhance your knowledge, which you can share with your landlord clients to provide an added value mortgage broker service.

Below are some guides we have put together with support from our friends at The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS), who are also owned by the global Computershare group. We hope you find them useful. You can also download copies to give to your landlord clients.

Getting ready to let a property

If a property is going to be let for the first time, there are things that need to be considered and addressed, including legal requirements. Following this useful checklist will help provide a positive rental experience for both the landlord and the tenant(s).

Starting a new tenancy 

The key to a long and successful tenancy is the cultivation of a positive relationship between the landlord and tenant(s), with clear communication right from the start. Not only will this help ensure the tenant stays at the property, avoiding vacant periods, but it also helps to avoid disputes when the tenant does eventually check out.

The ‘four pillars’ in the following guide provides tips for a great relationship between the landlord and client.

Tips and guidance for student tenants

With over 2.6m students in higher education across the UK, student lets could prove to be a successful long-term investment strategy. But as students may not have rented a property or been responsible for the running of a home before, there are certain things both the landlord and tenant should consider.

Here are tips for both landlords and student tenants.

Planning a mid-term inspection

Checking in with the tenant and inspecting the property during the tenancy is important. This helps to identify any potential issues so that they can be addressed and avoid any potential disputes at the end of the tenancy.  Here are some tips to consider, including arranging the inspection and things to look out for in the property.

Organise a smooth check out

Hopefully the guidance we have provided helps with a successful tenancy and keeps any issues to a minimum, but all good things come to an end. When the tenant does eventually depart, the checkout is a critical part of the process and helps to avoid disputes affecting the deposit.

These top 10 tips should help landlords to plan for and execute a successful check out process.

When it doesn’t go to plan

If there is a dispute, then we recommend that the landlord gets specific guidance from whichever company is holding the tenant’s deposit, including the adjudicator process. The following guidance may help in the first instance.