Letting property - the process
Letting out a house or flat in London can be a great investment, but there are a few things to look out for. We can help you find tenants, get the right price and manage the paperwork.
We’ve been letting property and managing flats and houses in London for over 30 years, so sit back and let us take you through how it works.
Step 1: Make your property look its best
Step 2: Get a valuation from a letting agent
Step 3: Find your tenants
Step 4: Get the paperwork done
Step 5: Taking a deposit and moving in
Step 1: Make your property looks its best
We’ve found that when a place just feels right, the first few minutes are often all prospective tenants need to decide.
This means that making your property look its best could be the difference between a quick rental and a long slog with an empty house or flat on the market. Letting property doesn’t have to be hard work.
Presenting to rent
- Be objective – don’t overlook flaws just because you don’t mind them
- Reduce clutter – get rid of everything but the bare essentials
- Decorate neutrally – tenants should be able to see it as their home, not yours
- Keep it light – clean the windows and use light colours to decorate
- Outside and in – fresh paintwork and well cared for outside spaces make a great first impression
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Step 2: Get a valuation from a letting agent
A little research can give you an idea of what the right rent is for your house or flat. Ask yourself
- What’s the going rate in your area? Check with your local KFH letting agent or search this site for similar properties
- How much do you need to cover your mortgage and other expenses?
If you want a professional opinion on where to set your rent, get in touch with us and we’ll value your property for free and without any obligation to use us for letting or management.
To arrange a free valuation by one of our experienced local letting agents in London, use the request a valuation link in the left hand column. We can usually make an appointment for the next day.
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Step 3: Find your tenants
If you decide you’d like us to let your property, just give your local office a call and we’ll put you in touch with one of our letting agents.
You’ll deal with a local lettings team who know the area well. It’s their job to know everything about your rental. They’ll keep you up to date on letting your property, from who’s interested in renting, to when tenants are looking round and what they think of the property.
We’ll advertise your property on the web, in our offices and in print, making sure it gets seen by as many potential tenants as possible.
We’ll show prospective tenants around on your behalf and we’ll make sure it’s convenient for you and for any current tenants. It’s always best to show off a property in daylight, but evening viewings are no problem: we’re open until 7pm. We can show people round at the weekend, too.
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Step 4: Get the paperwork done
When you’ve found the right tenants and they’ve agreed to move in, there’s some paperwork to be done before the tenancy can start. We’ll take care of this and send all the documents to you and your tenants.
We call this stage “let agreed”, and it starts with checking credit references. We’ll request credit checks on your tenants, follow up references and talk you through any potential problems.
Next we’ll draw up a tenancy agreement that sets out exactly the terms of your contract with your tenant, including any special requirements you have. We’ll send you and your tenant copies to sign, all you have to do is check it, sign it and send it back to us before the tenancy starts. We will forward a copy of their signed agreement to you and your signed agreement to the tenant.
Finally, the inventory records the contents and condition of your flat or house at the point when your tenants move in. Because it’s so important that this is impartial, we recommend a specialist inventory company. They will give you and your tenant a copy of the inventory, and will do another inspection at the end of the tenancy to check that nothing’s missing or damaged.
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Step 5: Taking a deposit and moving in
Before the tenancy starts, we’ll collect the deposit and the first rent payment on your behalf. As soon as this money clears, your tenants can move in.
The independent inventory clerk will be there to check your tenants in, and we’ll make sure they get the keys.
Letting your property is now complete and you are now a landlord.
Find out how we can manage your property.
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