renting our house

[homeagainhomeagain]

We are considering taking a job which will require us to live-in. If we do this we will probably rent our house. Any positive stories out there for renting (we are a bit apprehensive) and what would people renting want from a house they were renting? It is a 4 bed, big garden, would rent unfurnished.

Any tips/ advice would be welcome. An agent is coming out tomorrow.

We let the flat that DW used to live in and have also recently rented a house so I can give you a few pointers.

To make the house attractive to tenants it should be clean with neutral decor. The appliances should be modern, working properly and clean. The garden should be neat and tidy and low maintenance.

Once you've got tenants you want them to have as few problems as possible because it will cost you to fix things. So, make sure everything works and all maintenance jobs are up to date. Do all those jobs that everyone keeps putting off like dripping taps and doors that don't close properly. If you have external woodwork give it a coat of paint. We had loads of problems with the boiler when we rented so if yours is old consider getting it replaced.
Make it clear in the tenancy agreement that the tenants are responsible for maintaining the garden, but leave it neat and tidy.

If you're going to be living close consider using an agent to find a tenant then managing the property yourself. We do this for the flat and it saves us a huge amount each year. It does mean I have to be ready to sort out problems for the tenants but if you have details of local tradesmen it isn't too much of a problem. You should also plan, and budget, for regular maintenance (painting, replacing carpets, new appliances etc).

Our flat is very low maintenance, so much that we haven't heard from our tenants for over a year! We assume they're still there as they keep paying their rent. That's the ideal situation.

thanks very much for that, will get cracking on all those wee jobs, we have many..

We rented our 4 bed out in London to phd students due to dh's work, we got £600 pw the estate agent said £150 per room per week was standard here! Had we let it out to a family it would have been less. We rented furnished, put some second hand beds in, basic storage.... Students said it was the best student house they'd lived in and returned the house to us immaculate having had it professionally cleaned!

£600 per week! wow, we'll be looking at £695 per month if we are very lucky. We are in Scotland though. Great to hear positive stories. Thanks.