Tips and Advice for Landlords
Letting Your Property
Deciding to let out your property is a big step.
Done right, it can be a smart investment and a steady source of income, whether you’re building a retirement pot or looking for another stream of cashflow. But there are responsibilities to think about too, from looking after tenants and meeting safety standards to mortgages, tax rules and how you want your property managed. Being prepared makes all the difference.
If you’re new to letting, or even if you’ve done it before, working with a local letting agent in Worcester (link to landlord page) can take away a lot of the stress.
You’ll get specialist advice for landlords, compliance support and help finding the right tenants without the hassle.
Book a Rental Valuation
Before setting a rental price, arrange a proper valuation. This gives you a clear idea of what the market can achieve and helps you plan. Do you want long term tenants who will settle in for years, or are you open to short lets? Do you want to be hands on as a landlord, or would you rather step back and let an agent handle things? These decisions shape how your property is marketed and managed.
Key Considerations as a Landlord
Furnished or unfurnished
A furnished property can achieve higher rent, but you’ll be responsible for replacing or repairing anything that gets damaged.
Pets
Tenants can now request to keep pets and landlords need a valid reason to refuse. It’s worth considering how pets could affect wear and tear and what protections you’d want in place.
Smoking
Allowing smoking inside increases wear and tear and can raise fire risks. Many landlords choose to keep it outside only.
Budgeting as a Landlord
Rental income should cover most costs but always keep a contingency fund.
Repairs, maintenance, void periods and unexpected bills can all crop up. Having a buffer stops short term problems turning into major headaches.
How to Rent Out Your House:
Preparing Your Property
Fire safety and electricals
Make sure your electrics and fire safety measures meet current standards. If you’re letting to multiple unrelated tenants, there are stricter rules to follow.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
You must provide tenants with a valid EPC. The current minimum is an E rating, but the rules are tightening, so keep an eye on updates.
Tenancy agreement
This sets out the rent, term and conditions. If you’re not using an agent, use a solid template and take legal advice.
Furniture
If you’re letting furnished, all items must meet fire safety standards and have the right labels.
Inventory
List everything you provide and note its condition, ideally with photos. This protects you if you need to make a claim for damage at the end of the tenancy.
Gas safety certificate
If your property has gas appliances, you’ll need an annual inspection by a Gas Safe engineer. Tenants must be given the certificate at the start of the tenancy and after every inspection.
Mortgage consent
If your mortgage is residential, you must inform your lender and get written permission to let. Some lenders will require you to switch to a buy to let mortgage.
HMO licence
If you rent to multiple unrelated tenants, you may need a House in Multiple Occupation licence. Rules vary by area, so check with your local council.
Letting with Platinum
Managing tenants and keeping up with property compliance can be time consuming. Our team in Worcester and across Worcestershire can handle everything from marketing and viewings to rent collection and repairs. You decide how involved you want to be, and we’ll tailor our service to suit.
The Tenancy Process at Platinum Property
Finding tenants
We advertise in the right places to attract reliable tenants.
Arranging viewings
A clean and well-presented property makes a strong impression. One of our team will host viewings, highlight the features and make sure the property is secure.
Agreeing an offer
We’ll negotiate the rent, term and conditions, and carry out referencing checks to confirm the tenants are suitable.
Tenancy agreement
Once checks are complete, we draft the agreement to set out both landlord and tenant obligations.
Inventory and deposit
A detailed condition report and inventory protect both sides. The deposit is securely held until the end of the tenancy, when it’s returned subject to any agreed deductions.
Tenants Move In
Once paperwork and payments are complete, tenants move in, and the tenancy begins.
Ongoing management
We can take care of rent collection, routine inspections, repairs and act as the tenant’s first point of contact.
It saves time and ensures you remain compliant with landlord rules.
My experience as a university student was extremely poor. I felt exploited and unsupported throughout my tenancy, particularly when issues arose with other tenants in the house share. I experienced physical abuse from other tenants and felt that Platinum Properties failed to provide me with the protection and support I reasonably expected from my landlord/agent. I was left feeling unsafe in what should have been my home.
I was also extremely unhappy with how my deposit was handled. I believe deductions were unfair and did not feel that my concerns were dealt with appropriately. The property was already in a poor and tired condition when I moved in, yet I was later charged £50 from my deposit for the condition of the window area. The attached photo shows the dirt and staining around the window frame and sill.
The quality of the furniture was another major issue. Several items felt extremely cheap and poorly made, with furniture breaking during what I consider to be normal, basic use. This created additional frustration and expense during an already difficult tenancy.
Overall, I felt that the company prioritised its own interests rather than the wellbeing and concerns of its tenants. As a university student, I expected a safe and reasonably maintained place to live, along with fair treatment when problems occurred. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.
I would recommend that prospective tenants thoroughly document the condition of the property and furniture when moving in, keep records of all communication, and carefully check the terms surrounding deposits before signing a tenancy.
Response: You very much had the power to remove them, I provided evidence of them breaking multiple sections of the tenancy. Platinum properties values their income over the wellbeing of their tenants.
and he proved to find some really great properties around Worcester. He was friendly, polite and made the house viewings work seamlessly. Would really recommend this company.
on a very cold day and night.
We viewed a property near Worcester. He did not rush us at all. He took extra time to ensure we explored the property fully. He had good knowledge of the property. By far, his attitude and enthusiasm was the best we have experienced to date from any estate agent. We look forward to working with him.
By working with them as a 'partner' with this investment, I know that legally, I am safe as a Landlord and that also my tenants have the peace of mind they also have access to the support and protection of the wonderful team at Platinum. Thanks personally to Helen, Josh, Harry, & Caroline. I highly recommend their services.
Book a Landlord Consultation
Start your next chapter with confidence.