A Guide for Landlords

1. Inform Your Mortgage Lender:
Its unlikely you will be put on to a buy-to-let deal, but expect a typical fee of between £100 and £300 and/or a loading on your interest rate

2. Find A Good Letting Agent:
Budget for around 10 pc of rental income for a basic tenant-findng service and 15 pc for full management. Use an agent that is registered with the National Association of Estate Agents.

3. Buy An Energy performance Certificate:
Since October 2008, the law states that landlords need an energy performance certificate. These cost between £75 and £100.

4. Get A Gas Safety Certificate:
The law requires that landlords must have a gas safety certificate in place before the tenant moves in. It will cost around £100 and must come from a Gas Safe Register (formerly Corgi) engineer. It must be renewed annually.

5. Get Covered With Lanlords' Insurance:
This will protect against accident claims from your tenant and can be purchased through us at discounted rates

6. Surrender Your Deposit:
Since April 2007, landlords must put their deposit into a government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme. Visit www.depositprotection.com for more details.