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Step by Step Guide To Renting a Property

Step 1: Arrange a valuation and choose an agent

It is critical to obtain a variety of opinions on the rental value of your home and to explain your specific needs so that you can get a sense of realistic prices and timelines.

Here are some of the reasons why more than 3500 landlords have chosen

i1 Real Estate to market their properties.:

  1. We have been a market leader for well over 17 years
  2. We house over 1500 tenants each year
  3. We advertise your properties on the leading property portals OnTheMarket & Zoopla
  4. We are members of TPO, ICO & CMP

Step 2: Instructing an agent

Whichever agent you feel comfortable with, you must provide and carry out the following:

  • Provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  • Provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
  • Provide a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
  • Provide your agent with a set of keys
  • Access codes and alarm numbers
  • Any other relevant information about the property
  • Decide on a rental level
  • Available date.

Please note, we will offer advice on the level of rent that we think is achievable but we are happy to take your thoughts and guide landlords on the correct rental amount.

Step 3: Tenant finder or property management?

You should be specific about the service you need when instructing an agent. While the law remains unchanged, many tenants, particularly our clients, are interested in learning who will be in charge of property management. Here are some things to think about, but ultimately, only you can tell what’s best for your situation:

Are you able to respond to tenants problems on evenings and weekends?
Our Property Management Department provides after-hours support to address concerns such as lockouts and emergencies.

Do you have well priced contractors to use when you have maintenance issues in your property?
We have our own inhouse maintenance team which means our managed landlords benefit from being at the front of the queue and from the low cost service we provide.

Is resolving issues with Deposit Schemes something you’ve done before?
As we manage over 500 properties we have a wealth of experience when it comes to handling tenants and the Deposit Schemes to ensure everyone is fairly treated.

Do you have time to check your property periodically to ensure no maintenance problems are developing and your tenants are upholding their end of the bargain?
As part of our management service we carry out quarterly inspections and report any issues to you. For more information read our Tenant Finder Service and Management Service sections.

Step 4: Displaying your property

Ensuring your property is visually appealing is essential for reducing vacancy periods and maximising rental yield. When advertising your home, potential tenants will desire to see photographs prior to an in-person visit; therefore, presenting your house in its best form on picture day improves your likelihood of attracting tenants.

Here are some questions to ask yourself that could be the difference between quick let and a worrying void period:

  • Does the house seem fine from the outside?
  • Is the garden tidy or in need of attention?
  • Could anywhere in the property benefit from paint work?
  • Are any rooms cluttered or cramped?
  • Are there any problems within the property that you have seen or learned that may cause tenants to be put off?
  • Do you have pets that give off bad odours? This can be a serious problem, but a professional carpet cleaning, for example, can make a huge impact.

You should see your property appear on our website www.i1g.co.uk/realestate/ and www.onthemarket.com and www.zoopla.co.uk within a few days of the photographs being taken.

Step 5: Viewings

Some landlords thrive on showings, while others would rather not deal with them at all. You have the option of accompanying potential tenants on viewings or leaving it to the experts; in the vast majority of cases, we will do so as your agent.

We kindly request that you provide us with the property’s exact details, including the keys, entrance codes, alarm codes, and any other relevant information. For instance, it is necessary to inform the tenants if you intend to take half of the furnishings.

In order to accommodate your busy schedule, i1 Real Estate offers Saturday viewings in addition to evening viewings during the week. This will give you the best chance of finding a tenant for your property.

Step 6: Negotiating, referencing & moving In

Once a potential tenant submits an offer, we will contact you to discuss it. Once accepted, the following procedure begins:

We will request the following depending on the type of applicant:

  • Employment reference
  • Credit check
  • Guarantor
  • Proof of identity
  • First month’s rent
  • Deposit

The Tenancy Agreement shall only be signed and become legally enforceable upon receipt of satisfactory references. For additional details on the legal stipulations, please refer to our Legal Requirements section.

Based on the requested service, we will either provide you with the necessary information to manage the property or transfer it to our Property Management Department, who will then coordinate the inventory preparation and schedule the check-in appointment.