{"id":3552,"date":"2025-06-24T11:16:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwood1dev.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=3552"},"modified":"2026-05-12T11:40:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:40:20","slug":"step-by-step-guide-to-letting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.northwooduk.com\/landlords\/step-by-step-guide-to-letting\/","title":{"rendered":"Step by step guide to letting"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Step by Step Guide to Rent your House<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Step 1: Short-listing the right agent <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Finding the right letting agent is crucial to ensuring that your property is let at the maximum rental value to suitable tenants and managed effectively ongoing. When\u00a0choosing a letting agent<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>consider factors such as how they will market your property, how they will conduct viewings, their high street presence and their available pool of quality tenants.<\/p>

An often-overlooked, but vitally important consideration is that you\u00a0select a compliant letting agent<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0who meets all industry standards to ensure that you, your money and your property are fully protected.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 2: Obtaining an accurate valuation <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Our expert negotiators complete hundreds of rental valuations each month, so combined with their local expertise and up to the minute knowledge of the market conditions; they\u2019re in the perfect position to help you achieve the best possible rental value for your property.<\/p>

Complete the\u00a0rental valuation request<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0form to find out how much your property is worth.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 3: Choose the right level of service <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Choosing the correct service level is entirely based on the level of responsibility and time that a landlord is willing to give. Northwood provide a range of\u00a0letting service options<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0to accommodate every type of landlord.<\/p>

Tenant Find<\/h4>

Northwood finds the next quality tenant for the property.<\/p>

Rent Collection<\/h4>

Northwood takes the responsibility for finding a suitable tenant and collecting the rent monthly. The landlord is accountable for liaising with the tenants and managing the maintenance of the property.<\/p>

Fully Managed<\/h4>

With a fully managed property Northwood takes full ownership for managing the tenancy right through from check-in to check-out.<\/p>

Guaranteed Rent<\/h4>

The\u00a0guaranteed rent service<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>is the perfect \u2018let it and forget it\u2019 solution for busy landlords who are looking to minimise both the risk and the hassle of letting out a property. Northwood take full responsibility for managing the tenancy but also provide a financial guarantee that no matter whether the property is empty or the tenant stops paying, the rent will still be paid each and every month.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 4: Presenting your property <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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When it comes to letting out a property successfully, first impressions really do count.\u00a0\u00a0If you want quality tenants who will look after your property, you need to present it in a clean, tidy and well maintained state. Undertaking just a few, free or low cost jobs really can make a difference.<\/p>

Consider completing any outstanding DIY jobs and declutter spaces as much as possible. A fresh coat of paint can make a real difference to a property.<\/p>

At Northwood we can give you expert advice on how to present your property in the best possible light, using the best quality photography and creation of\u00a0\u00a0quality property details.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 5: Completing the paperwork <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Initial paperwork includes notifying your mortgage lender, having\u00a0appropriate landlord insurance<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0and ensuring all tax-related affairs are in order.<\/p>

A variety of legal certificates need to be obtained such as an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) and PAT tests to name a few* Your Northwood team can advise you on the legal requirements relevant to letting out your property.<\/p>

It is important to get a comprehensive and professional inventory completed. This provides a thorough record of the condition of the property and its contents \u2013 something that is key for subsequent inspections and at check out. We can help organise this for you depending on the level of service selected.<\/p>

* Requirements will vary between England, Wales and Scotland.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 6: Marketing your property <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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In order to find the best tenant for your property you want the widest possible exposure to the best quality tenants.<\/p>

By using Northwood you not only tap into a database of thousands of potential tenants but you also benefit from comprehensive marketing packages including:\u00a0\u00a0listing on the major property websites such as Rightmove \/ Zoopla, exposure on our own Northwooduk.com website, appear in our prominent office windows, accompanied viewings and email alerts out to tenants that fit the appropriate search criteria.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 7: Selecting the right tenants <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Once the final rental price has been agreed prospective tenants should always be thoroughly referenced, credit checked and confirmation obtained that they have the right to rent in the UK.<\/p>

A tenancy agreement is then drawn up \u2013 the agreement itself needs to be fully compliant with all current regulations based on which part of the country the property is located in. It is at this stage that the security deposit and the first rental payment is taken.<\/p>

It is a legal requirement that the deposit is registered with one of the Government approved deposit schemes once the tenant has moved in. Northwood have produced a\u00a0Landlord\u2019s guide to tenancy deposit protection<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0which explains in simple terms what is required.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Step 8: Moving the tenants in <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is important to ensure that all paperwork is completed before checking the tenant into the property and handing over the keys. A handbook of information such as rubbish and recycling days, where meters and stopcocks are located, appliance instruction manuals etc. can avoid a number of queries and questions that will otherwise arise. The inventory that has already been prepared needs to be signed by the tenant and the council, water, gas and electricity suppliers must all be informed that the tenant has moved in.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Step 9: Managing the tenancy <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Both you and your tenant have responsibilities that you must adhere throughout the duration of the tenancy<\/p>

Your tenant is obliged to<\/p>