Landlords - where did you find your tenants?

[Frimley111R]

We've had ours in a 2 bed flat next to Heathrow for about 5yrs and they are now moving out. I'm a bit loathed to pay an agent a lot of money just to find some tenants. All they do is find them and check their references, not exactly taxing work. If I wanted to DIY where's the best place to find them?

[John D.]

The answer is clearly staring you in the face. PH!



(Is this a thinly veiled ad?)

[Frimley111R]

LOL! TBH I did look for a PH Accomodation thread...but no, this is not meant to be a thinly veiled attempt at finding tenants.

[Paul v8]

i'm a tenant ,use gumtree as this is a good site for that type of thing

[Simbu]

No idea about the costs but perhaps advertise the property on the likes of Rightmove? Must be cheaper than using a letting agent. I think Google Maps has a property search functon now too...

[Mannginger]

As a Tenant I found my current place through Gumtree a couple of years ago. I was a little more cautious then through an agent, but after meeting my Landlord a couple of times I was relaxed enough and it was a great experience.

We've just had new neighbours move in and they called me to see how the landlord was, so it may be worth seeing if you can arrange similar with your ex-Tenants if you go down that route.

[LC926]

Is it worth putting an ad in Skyport news paper, that reaches most airport staff.

I have a flat in Camberley and have never done the private route, i've always used an agent and moan about the costs everytime but then i have always had good tenants and so i wonder if you get what you pay for.

[Ozmira]

Ask your local newsagent if you can put an ad in his/her window.

[Frimley111R]

LC926 said:

Is it worth putting an ad in Skyport news paper, that reaches most airport staff.

That's a good idea. I like airline staff, not home often and tidy generally.

[shimmey69]

being a tenant and a landlord myself i have always used agents, yes you pay for it but IF somethings goes really tits up you have a fall guy, you have paid for the inusrance, all the T's are crossed and I's dotted on the contract etc etc if they have missed something you have signed a contract with the agent and then its their responsibility to sort it back out!! i know its few and fair between but believe me i have had to do some deep cleans of rental properties that has been SOOOOO bad they make Mr trebus off of "life of grimes" place look like a mansion!! just be careful!!

[edc]

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

A potential tenant?

[Frimley111R]

edc said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

A potential tenant?

Thanks, he's only got half the money though.

[jimmyjam]

If you really want to go down that route then I'd use Gumtree however it is not a wise move to entrust an investment of hundreds of thousands of pounds without some legal knowledge on the matter. There is a reason why most people use agents, its not worth the risk with such a large asset.
If you do it yourself don't forget you need to put the deposit in a registered deposit scheme (or the tenant could land you with a substantial fine).

[mfire]

Try contacting London Fire Brigade. They have a lot of recruits looking for places to rent?

[andy c]

I have several tenants and we use the local free paper.Make sure you get at least a month in advance.If they cant afford it they wont afford the rent.
Make sure ,if you take a deposit it goes to a registered holder.We dont take deposits anymore.We ask for rent in advance instead!
You now need to produce an Energy performance certificate and a copy of the annual gas and 5 yearly electrical inspections.Things have toughened up in the last 5 years.

good luck