The Role of Letting Agents

If you have worked on your building and you are now sure that it is ready to be rented out, hiring the services of a letting agent would be a good idea. Having letting agents ensures that you don't undertake the hassle to market your property and that also you are saved from the hectic renting process. What are the benefits of using a letting agent?

You property will be listed in top property publications and websites and therefore more students will be able to find it.

Your property will get student tenants very fast because students will call letting agents first when they are looking for a house to let,

Do to their experience in this field, a letting agent will be able to choose quality tenants which will ensure that your property is maintained at a good standard.,

The letting agent will always keep you updated on the letting regulations which will ensure that you are always legally protected.

Although some property owners may choose to rent out their properties by themselves, one should understand that the process is hectic and it may consume a lot of your time. Keeping up to date with the legal requirements could be hectic. It is also important to understand that there will be numerous disputes in your property some of which may be too difficult to solve. Employing an agent ensures that you are saved from all these hassles.

In some states, tenants are advised to set up a direct debit from their account to ensure that their rent is always paid before the due date. This rent is paid directly to the agent's account who latter after deducting the taxes and their agency fee will pay the rent to your account.

If by any case the tenant fails to pay rent, it is the duty of the letting agent to try all the legal means possible to claim the defaulted amount. However, many letting agents will not just welcome new tenants without questioning about the tenant's background. By renting the property to tenants who are credible and those who have a good credit history, the agents are able to minimize the chances of defaulted rent.

After employing a letting agency, there are still some responsibilities that you are supposed to take care of as the landlord for example; paying for the property insurance, paying for the mortgage, repairing and maintenance of the building, and paying of the agent's fee. In case the property is empty, it will be your responsibility to pay for the taxes as well as the utility bills. During this period, you are not liable to pay for the agent's fee.

It is important to ensure that you as a landlord enter into a legally binding agreement with the letting agents. This agreement helps to ensure that the agent does not operate beyond his mandate. It is the duty of the letting agents to receive the deposit from the student tenants. The deposit in most circumstance will be equal to one and a half month rent amount. When tenants are vacating from the property, this deposit will be refunded in full as long as the tenant has left the house in a good condition.

Preparing A Property For Student Accommodation

Are you planning to let your property to students? It is certainly a grand idea for making money. But you must be aware of a few things too. Your property needs great deal of renovation so that it becomes an ideal student lodge. It is extremely important for you to realize that your property must offer the basic amenities that would ensure comfortable stay of your tenants. One more thing needs to be mentioned here. Since you have planned to lend your home to students, you need to incorporate a few extra things too. So, take a look at things you need to do for student lettings:

White washing and wall treatment

The first most vital thing you need to do is to color the walls of your home. This will impart a new look to your property. If you think that it is going to be a costly affair, you can simply white wash the walls. During the process, make it a point to seal the dents that may be present in the walls. Also remember to treat the portions of the wall where you may witness dampness or termites. When everything is done, you can be assured that your student tenants will never complain about water dripping from the ceiling or termites damaging their personal property.

Renovation of furniture

While deciding to let student tenants stay in your home, you must be aware that the furniture they will require may not be same as that of a couple or a bachelor man. So, the basic ones that you need to provide are standard sized beds, reading decks and chairs, additional sitting attachments, master cupboards, small armories and wall fitted storage compartments. It is fair enough if you already have such furniture. But in case if you do not have them then you have to ask the carpenter to make them before processing further with letting.

Lighting renovations

Since your tenants are students so your property must be such that it enjoys ample of daylight. Similarly, it must have enough arrangements of lighting during the evenings. It is needless to mention that the primary activity of your student tenants will be studying. Therefore, you have to be certain that your property serves their requirements and their studies are never jeopardized with due to insufficient light. But there are properties that do not enjoy sufficient day light. In such cases, you have to compensate it with artificial electric lights. You must also be aware that a student's room will require a few primary lights that are of high intensity, such as a table lamp, a panel tube, a couple of CFL bulbs and focus lamps. So, inspect carefully whether you already have them or need an electrician to install them before student letting.

Water supply

Water is most essential for every home. So, when a student tenant comes to hire your property he/she will certainly like to inquire about it. Therefore, have the necessary plumbing works done before to finally give your home on rent. The plumbing job will include checking the pipeline for leakages, investigating whether the exhaust pipe is working properly and installing additional taps and pipelines if needed.

Finding a Professional Tulsa Plumbing Company

We know it can be difficult in these tough economic times when you find out that you’ve got a plumbing problem.  For a homeowner, it can feel like the end of the world to know that you will need to repair or replace major plumbing fixtures in your home.  Here are a few simple rules you can use to find a professional plumbing company fast, without having to pay through the nose.

First, talk to your friends and family about plumbers they have used in the past.  It may sound like a no-brainer, but many people are embarrassed to mention to family and friends that they have a plumbing problem.  By talking to people you trust, you can find out about good and bad plumbers.  Many family and friends will share stories with you about plumbing experiences they have been involved in and you can learn a lot from them.

Now, search through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for the short list of plumbers you have been researching.  If the plumbing company isn’t listed on the BBB, you might consider avoiding that plumber until you can find out more information.  The Bureau is a good place to find out if there have been any complaints about the plumber in the past and you can review the plumber’s responses as well.

Finally, call the Tulsa plumbing company and ask to speak to a plumber about your problem.  Even though you might not be a plumbing expert, you can at learn a tremendous amount just by speaking to a plumbing professional over the phone.  If you don’t feel comfortable with the plumber after speaking to him or her over the phone, you can cross them off the list and move on to the next company to contact.

Following these simple guidelines will help you find a professional plumber who you can trust.