any landlords out there? need some advice pls!

[MissChief]

new to being a landlord and wanted to get some views on the following:

1. drafting yr own inventory
2. getting prof cleaners in prior to tenancy - waste of money or worth it? 3)leaving valuable item of furiture (as tenant wants it and would have to store otherwise) - how to cover it? deposit or something? any other dos/don'ts TIA!

I'm not a landlord, but am a serial tennant, so I'll answer anyway:

1. I've had crappy inventories (i.e. ones with bits missing) from both landlords themselvs and "professionals" - so i would say no prob with doing your own.

2. I kind of expect to have to do some cleaning on moving into a house actually. I usually have to (but not extensive cleaning - just dusting the cupboards or something).

3. yes, I'd charge a separate deposit, or isnist the tennants have household contents insurance whcih includes it. as a tennant i wouldn't see that as unfair.

thx - that's probably more useful than from a landlord, tbh!
Really want tenants to be happy with the house (not being nice, just want them to stay there for a long time!)

My memory of inventories/cleaning like this is from dodgy, hellish student digs which always needed cleaning. Our house on some days cd rival these and probably not fair to inflict our filth on another family.

yuck!

how much does a professional clean cost anyway?

£200 -ish (gulp) - dh will go ballistic but i know he won't be the one to clean the inside of the freezer or outside the windows either! Time is short so think will have to pay up! just hope the tenant is extremely grateful and truly leaves it in the state in which they found it!

yes, let's hope so.