Contents

About this book

Introduction

A (very) short history of rented property

1. Is letting for you?

What it takes to be a landlord

2. Finding the right property

Could I live in it myself?

Location, location, location

Keep your eye on the market

Investment pointers

Service charges

3. Working out the numbers

Cash buyers

Finding a tenant

Landlord Action

Buying at auction

Buy-to-Let

Tax

It’s worth it!

4. Décor and renovation

To furnish or not?

The essentials

Furnishings

How often should you redecorate/renovate?

Letting out your own home

Preparing for corporate or company lets

Students

Some general points on letting

Complying with regulations

5. Finding suitable tenants

Advertising

Deciding on the sort of tenant you want

Before they move in

Using an agency

Company lets

Short lets

Housing Benefit

Housing associations

Problems with social tenants

Holiday lets

Letting rooms in your home

Bedsits

Adapting your own home

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

Buying a property with existing occupants

Your relationship with your tenant(s)

6. Rights and obligations

Tenancy agreements

Common problems

7. Becoming a portfolio landlord

The multiple landlord

Money

Working with agencies

Other things to bear in mind

Two voices of experience

8. Buying and letting property abroad

Beware!

Buying to let

Making your choice

Fitting out the property

Marketing your property

Finance

9. Mostly for tenants

Who are the tenants and what do they want?

The inventory

References

The tenancy agreement

Moving in

Now you’re a tenant

Moving on

The Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme

10. Resources

Contacts

Publications

The Property Investor Show

Index