Landlord's Guide - Preparing Property for Letting

We have found from experience that a good relationship with tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. Our policy of offering a service of quality and care therefore extends to our tenant applicants too, and we are pleased to recommend properties to rent which conform to certain minimum standards. C & I Lettings motto is ‘Quality properties attract quality tenants.’

General condition

Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order.

Appliances

Appliances such as washing machine, fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher etc. should be in usable condition.

Decorations

Interior decorations should be in good condition. A good option if redecorating before letting your property is to keep plain, light and neutral.

Furnishings

It is recommended that you leave only minimum furnishings, and these should be of reasonable quality. It is preferable that items to be left are in the property during viewings. If you are letting unfurnished, we recommend that the property contains carpets, curtains, and a cooker.

Personal items, ornaments etc

Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. All cupboards, shelf space, garage and loft should be left clear for the tenant's own use.

Gardens

Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish-free, with any lawns cut. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the necessary tools. However, few tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish us to arrange maintenance visits by our regular gardener.

Cleaning

At the commencement of the tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenants' responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition.

Mail forwarding

We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Application forms are available at their counters, and the cost is minimal. It is not the tenant's responsibility to forward mail.

Information for the tenant

It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant on operating the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system, and the day refuse is collected etc.

Keys

You should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Where we are managing we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required.