Friday 10 February 2012

Thinking Of Letting A House In Greenwich?

Greenwich is one of the most popular boroughs of London to live in, perhaps owing to its slightly more laid-back atmosphere and ‘small town’ feel compared to the most bustling areas of the city. Because of this, property here is at a premium. If you are looking to let a property in Greenwich you are likely to be able to command a fairly high rent, particularly if your property is near to the town centre or some of the area’s main tourist attractions such as the Cutty Sark, the Observatory, National Maritime museum or Greenwich Park.

Here are some examples of the kinds of things you need to have covered if you are a first-time landlord in Greenwich:

Presentation: As a landlord, you want to start off with your tenants on the right foot and that means ensuring your property is immaculate before the tenancy begins. Make sure there are no DIY jobs left unfinished and, if you have a garden, make sure it is neat and well cut. Leaving the house in a good condition sets a precedent for tenants to keep it that way as well as presenting you as a reliable and responsible landlord. After all, property in Greenwich is not cheap and is highly sought-after, so you want to make the most of your investment.



Safety first: Landlords are obliged by law to ensure all electrical and gas appliances in their properties are safe before the commencement of a tenancy. In Greenwich, landlord certificates can be obtained by using the services of a local Gas Safe registered engineer who will test all appliances for faults. And as with all areas of the UK, you must also ensure that printed copies of your Greenwich landlord certificates for the safety of all appliances are provided to tenants. Furthermore, any safety equipment – such as fire extinguishers or fire blankets – should come with clear instructions to follow.

Clear inventory: It helps both you and your tenants if you have provided them with a clear and concise inventory of the contents of your property before they move in. Make sure your tenant signs the inventory before they move in so everyone is clear about what stays at the end of the lease and whether any significant damage has been done in the meantime. It is a good idea to make the time to take a photo inventory of the property as well as this is helpful for settling any disputes which may come up.

Agent or private rental? All landlords also have to make the decision of whether to use a letting agent to manage their property during a tenancy or rent it privately themselves. If you choose the former, you need to make sure you vet all possible agents carefully and get references to see who provides the best service. If the latter, make sure you meet any potential tenants beforehand and get everything in writing with a proper contract – even if the people you are letting to are friends or acquaintances.

No comments:

Post a Comment