A Guide to Renting Out Your Property

Whether you're renting out a spare room, a single property, or several, a clear listing and a bit of upfront due diligence go a long way toward finding a good tenant quickly and avoiding problems later.

Include the essentials in your listing

Include the monthly rent, deposit amount, available move-in date, minimum tenancy length, and whether bills are included in the rent or paid separately. These are the very first questions every prospective tenant will ask, so answering them clearly in the listing itself saves you from repeating the same information in dozens of messages, and filters out enquiries from people the property genuinely won't suit.

Photos make a huge difference

Take clear, well-lit photos of every room, including the kitchen, bathroom, and any outdoor space, ideally during the day with curtains open and rooms tidied. A property with a full set of honest photos will consistently outperform one with just an exterior shot, even if the exterior photo is more flattering - tenants want to see exactly what they're signing up for before arranging a viewing.

Be clear about requirements upfront

State clearly whether pets are allowed, whether smoking is permitted, DSS/benefits acceptance, and any other conditions specific to the property. Stating these upfront saves time for everyone and means the enquiries you do get are from genuinely suitable applicants.

Screen prospective tenants

Before agreeing to a tenancy, it's worth doing some basic checks on any prospective tenant. Ask for proof of income or employment, a reference from a previous landlord if they've rented before, and consider a right-to-rent check, which is a legal requirement for landlords in England. Trust your judgement during viewings too - a tenant who is vague about their circumstances, reluctant to provide references, or pushes hard to skip the usual checks is worth being cautious about.

Know your legal obligations

For assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales, any deposit you take must be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and you must give the tenant certain prescribed information about how it's protected. You'll also need to provide a current gas safety certificate if the property has gas appliances, an Energy Performance Certificate, and in most cases a copy of the "How to Rent" guide. Rules differ slightly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the specific requirements that apply to your property.

Put the agreement in writing

Even for informal arrangements, such as renting out a room to a lodger, a simple written tenancy agreement setting out the rent, deposit, notice period, and any house rules protects both you and the tenant if a disagreement arises later. It's also worth doing a written inventory of the property's condition and contents at move-in, ideally with photos and signed by both parties, so there's a clear record to refer back to at the end of the tenancy.

Renting out a property is one of the categories where a bit of extra care at the listing and screening stage really pays off - a well-written, honest listing attracts better-quality enquiries, and proper checks and paperwork protect you from most of the problems that can arise during a tenancy.