renting your property

[duckster]

Would it be best off letting an estate agent rent your property for you or Letting it to the council to dss people or private renting

Which on average gives you the best return and what are the average prices and do dss pay more?

Thanks in advance Duckster

[Kathyan]

I would advise using a letting agent and taking out rental insurance, this will cover for rent lost due to tenants not paying rent and not quitting when you ask them to. The dss will only pay a certain amount of rent so I would avoid that as the tenant will have to pay the rest. I don't know where you are but I'm in Sheffield and 18 months ago ours was let for �400 per month (3 bed semi). In view of the recent house price increase I would think that had we carried on letting we would have got more than that now. Don't forget that you will also be liable for income tax on the rent.

[chickenlips]

if this is your first time as a landlord go with an agent till you know what to expect, they will look after the property for you if things like repairs need doing , but be carefull they don't charge to much. If you have a good tennent who pays on time
dump the agent, and have the rent paid straight into your account, but you will need time to do repairs yourself or get tradesmen to do it for you.dss your rent is guaranteed but the tennent should be well vetted by your agent.

[Joowlie]

Hi I work for a letting agent and I would suggest you go with an agent purely and simply because most, if not all, now offer FREE rental insurance which offers peace of mind. They will collect the rent and manage your property for a fee of 10-12% of the monthly rental. However I have myself in the past let out a property I owned to the Local Council and as they used it as a shelter once the property was handed back, it was fully redecorated and cleaned to a very high standard. The council paid the whole amount direct by standing order and we had no problems what so ever. Most Councils have a dept called "Wasted Homes" but they usually only want run down areas and pay a cheap rental. Dont let it out yourself to DSS - if they claim the money from the DSS chances are they wont pay you and then you wont be able to get them out....... And if you get paid direct for them by the DSS and they are found to be fraudulent, then the DSS can take YOU to court for the money! Its a minefield........................ Go to an agent, they will make it easer. Good luck.