Landlord's Guide

Before letting your property

You need to decide whether you are going to let your property privately, with an estate agent or with both.

Why let privately?

The internet is growing constantly, and more and more people are using it to help them let their property, without the need of an estate agent.

Estate agents use the internet as one of their primary tools to help them sell and let property. They advertise on the same websites as we do, attracting, on average, over 3 million viewers per month.

View information about our Partners

Private sales and letting are also on the increase. It is estimated that 1 in 10 properties sold in the UK and Ireland are privately sold, saving people thousands.

So if you want to let your property fast, and save yourself a small fortune, then letting privately with YouSellYourProperty.com is the answer.

Key features
  • Gain maximum exposure through our website and our partners websites
  • Advertise to over 3 million people each month
  • Massive savings, amounting to thousands
  • Be in control of your advertisement
  • Customise your personal information to protect your privacy
  • Information and support from YouSellYourProperty.com to assist you in letting your property
Advertise with YouSellYourProperty.com

Why should you pay more in commission to an estate agent, when letting your property, then someone letting their property for a lower value than you? The work carried out by an estate agent for each property will be exactly the same!

We at You sell your property.com think this is totally unfair. This is why we have devised a system to aid our customers to let their properties for a fraction of the cost.

When you advertise with us, your property will be displayed on our website and other leading property websites including; Fish4Homes and Hot Property, which will allow millions of people looking to rent to view it. We will also provide you with a board identical to those used by estate agents, which is a proven to be an effective tool when letting property.

Be in control when letting with YouSellYourProperty.com
  • You will be in full control when letting privately with YouSellYourProperty.com.
  • You place your ad on YouSellYourProperty.com, including pictures and descriptions of your property.
  • You choose what personal information you wish to display i.e. your home telephone number, mobile number and address.
  • Instead of displaying your personal information, we will provide you an email address, where potential buyers can leave you messages.
  • You decide what price to let your property for
  • Arrange viewings to suit you
  • Manage offers and negotiate the best deal to suit yourself
Let privately and with an estate agent

We are not an estate agent; we are a property advertising company. We do not meet potential tenants, nor do we show them around your property.

We advertise your property on many of the leading property web sites on the internet, and provide you with a board to display outside your property. Therefore 95% of the time you are able to use an estate agent and advertise with a property advertising company like YouSellYourProperty.com.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, email or call us and we will help answer any questions you might have.

Preparing your property for the market

Before advertising your property, decide on the market you are going to let to. If you are going to let to professional people you need to create a modern look by decorating and using furnishings that give a high standard feel.

If you are looking to let to students then the furnishings you provide can be more basic.

Decide whether you will let to:

  • Smokers
  • People with pets
  • People on DSS
  • A small / large family
  • Students

No matter who your market is, make sure you have:

  • Carried out any repairs throughout the property
  • Clean the property from top to bottom. Hoover, dust and wipe down all surfaces. Throw out any items that are not furnishings; so people, who might be, looking let you property do not see them when they visit.
  • Get all carpets clean, using a professional carpet cleaner
  • Decorate the property in neutral colours to suit all tastes
  • If the property has a garden, make sure it is clear and maintained.
  • Get up to date gas and electricity certificates from professionals, certifying that the gas and electric supplies have been checked in your property.
  • Be specific; are bills included, and which bills are covered in the rent i.e. gas, electric, water, council tax etc.

Remember; first impressions are everything, so try and stick to the bullet points above!

Valuing your property

The rental price you set is key to letting your property or having your property vacant for a period of time.

Estate agents set an asking price based on previously let properties in your area and by using their knowledge of the current market. Their valuation is not an official valuation; the sum they set is only an estimate.

If you want to value your property yourself, research your local area on the internet and in local papers to see what property of a similar type to yours is going for. Check the current market trends to get a good idea of what value you should let for.

Finally, it depends on how quickly you need to let your property, and how patient you can be waiting for someone to pay your asking price?

Viewings

When it comes to showing people around your property, try not to be too sentimental. Remember the property you are looking to let is a business and not the home you live in.

Be polite, do not intimidate people and keep your temper under control, even if someone says something that touches a nerve.

Try to be flexible when arranging viewing times with people and take contact details incase you have to conceal. Keep a diary so you can manage viewings.

Offers

After a few viewings, hopefully you will have someone who wants to let the property.

Before you accept an offer find out when the person/s is willing to move in. They may have a contract else where and need to serve the remaining time on their contract before they can commit to your property.

If you are waiting for a present tenants contract to expire before the new tenant can move in, confirm dates with the new tenant before you agree to let them let your property, as they may not be willing to wait.

Legal
  1. Choose a solicitor to draft the legal contract for your tenants. If you do not have a solicitor already, then you can find one in your local telephone directory.
  2. Most solicitors charge between £50 - £300 draw up a contract. These figures can rise depending on the solicitor you use and the value of your property.
  3. Get references from employers and previous landlords of your new tenants.
  4. Carry out a credit check. There are companies advertising on the internet which can help you do this, but be sure to get the tenant’s permission before doing so.
  5. Finally get the tenant's to sign and date the contract and collect their deposit before allowing them to move in.