30 September 2020

Make sure you claim your Green Energy Grant

 

Homeowners including landlords can now take advantage of the new Green Home Energy Grant scheme to get discounted home improvements.

You can apply for a grant towards the cost of making your property more energy efficient.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a voucher to give to your chosen 

TrustMark-registered tradesperson.

The Green Homes Grant scheme is only available to homeowners and residential landlords in England.

Under Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme, which opens for online applications today, homeowners including landlords can apply for a voucher to help install eco-friendly energy measures and the Government will stump up at least two-thirds of the bill – up to £5,000.

Improvements could include insulating a house to reduce energy use or low-carbon heating to lower the amount of carbon dioxide produced.

The voucher will need to be redeemed and improvements completed by 31st March 2021.

The voucher covers costs for labour, materials and VAT, and work must be completed by a TrustMark-registered installer who is also registered for the scheme.

Once they’ve provided a quote and the work is approved, a voucher is issued.

E or under

Private rented properties need a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of E under the minimum energy efficiency standard; when applying for a voucher for their rented property, landlords will need to either provide proof that they’ve met this standard or proof of an exemption.

According to the Treasury, this scheme is set to support up to 100,000 jobs while helping the nation cut carbon emissions, delivering a win-win for all.

At a time like this, tradespeople need as much support as possible and by kick starting home improvements this is almost certainly set to help.

Here is the link to apply.

Apply: www.gov.uk/apply-green-homes-grant

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


27 September 2020

TOP TIPS for Renting Out Your House in the RETFORD AREA

 

If you’re thinking about letting out your home, there are a number of important factors to consider before putting it up for rent. I’ve put these tips together to ensure you understand your responsibilities as a landlord, know how to protect your property, and keep your tenants happy; dealing with any issues that may arise.

Do your research

First things first, get to know your market. Take a look at similar homes to yours in the same area and find out how much they are being let for per month. If your rent is set too high, or too low, prospective tenants will steer clear.

Think about your target market and consider who your property would be suitable for - young families, students, single professionals? A letting agent may be able to help advise with this. Once you’ve done your homework, set a competitive price and aim to keep it filled at all times to minimise rental voids.

Prepare your property

Before you make your property available to rent, you’ll need to decide whether to let the house as furnished or unfurnished. Personal belongings or items of value should be removed from the property, and be sure to clear out anything that is old and tired, not fit for purpose or an ‘acquired taste’.

A property that offers a blank canvas is often more appealing to prospective tenants. Neutral colours will allow renters to picture themselves living in the space, and will also make the property easy to maintain at each check-in/check-out. And don’t forget the exterior of the house—general sprucing of outdoor spaces will make the property more attractive to renters. 

Think about hiring professionals to give your home a deep clean. Professional cleaners will scrub everything from the windows to the oven—they’ll even get down behind radiators.

Make copies of any keys that a tenant may need for windows and doors, or for gas and electricity meters. It’s also a good idea to dig out instruction manuals for the boiler, alarm system, cooker and any white goods, so the tenant has them to hand as soon as they move in.

Sort out the insurance

It is very important that your current buildings and contents insurer is made aware of your intention to let your property, as your policy will need to be amended.

Consider arranging landlord insurance, which will cover any financial losses connected with your rental property. Whilst landlord insurance isn’t a legal requirement, it is advisable as the policy will protect the building, your tenants and your investment as a whole some policies will also pay out if your tenant misses their rent payments.

Know your responsibilities

The decision to rent your home will mean that you go from being a home-owner and occupier to a landlord, and with your new status, comes great responsibility.

In the first instance, check that your mortgage allows you to let out your property, as some agreements contain caveats to prevent homes from being rented. If you are unsure, speak to your mortgage lender and they will be able to advise you accordingly.

Being a landlord is a 24/7 job, so be prepared to receive calls from your tenant at any time during the day or night, as many issues will need immediate attention (such as a gas leak, or broken boiler for example). You will be accountable for all repairs and maintenance and taking care of refurbishment of the interior and exterior of the property when required.

Learn the legal stuff

When it comes to being a landlord, there are more regulations to comply with than you can shake a stick at. To put it into perspective, there are currently around 175 laws that landlords need to adhere to when letting a property.

Landlords are expected to carry out credit and right to rent checks in line with immigration laws, take and protect deposits, have all essential paperwork in place and ensure the property is fit for habitation and safe for your tenant—that’s just for starters.

The safety of your tenants is very important, so you must also arrange a Gas Safety check every year. Also from 1st July 2020 all properties let for residential tenants MUST have an electrical safety inspection certificate. Finally, it goes without saying that your rental property should be fitted with smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide detectors where necessary.

By law, your property must have an EPC (energy performance certificate), and it needs to be Band E or above. You won't be able to advertise the property unless you reach this standard and have a certificate to prove it, so get it sorted as soon as possible - certificates are valid for 10 years.

Tenants must be provided with a rental information pack.  

All landlords are subject to paying Income Tax if the revenue from the property exceeds £2,500 per annum.

Make finding a tenant easier

If you’re looking for a tenant and not sure where to start, why not speak to your local ARLA Propertymark letting agent today. An agent will undertake the reference and credit checks and right to rent checks on potential tenants to ensure everything is reliable. If you choose not to use an agent you will need to do this yourself.

Choose the right agent

Not only will an agent advertise your property for you, deal directly with the tenant on your behalf and complete all relevant paperwork, but an ARLA Propertymark protected agent will also have Professional Indemnity insurance, and you and your money will be covered, giving you peace of mind throughout the letting process. If you plan to use a letting agent, it is important to use an expert who follows best practice, meets all requirements of the profession and works to industry standards. Propertymark Protected letting agents are experienced and trained professionals who work to a code of practice in order to help landlords manage their homes.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


24 September 2020

Don't Miss The Deadline for Moving House in North Notts


The national lockdown and subsequent local ones are causing delays in the home selling/buying moving process.

If you are thinking of moving and cashing in and making the most of the Stamp Duty holiday which could see you save up to £15,000, you’ll need to get going soon, very soon.

The Sunday Times recently published an article that said 12th October was the deadline for people to put their homes up for sale if they wanted to complete the transaction before the tax holiday ends on 31st March 2021

It also reported that there were longer than usual delays when getting mortgage valuations, property surveys, local authority searches and having conveyancing work carried out.

These are all essential components of most property transactions.

The newspaper said these Covid-19 related delays had caused a ‘Backlog Britain’.

Its sentiments were echoed by the property law website – Today’s Conveyancer – which said: “Pre-Covid-19 the time it took (from the marketing of the property) to find a buyer was, on average, 79 days, and the total time from listing to moving into a property was 187.

If that average holds, then by consulting your calendars you’ll know that 25th September is 187 days before 31st March next year when the property purchasing tax holiday is due to end.”

Either way, if it is 12th October or 25th September, the key thing to do is to act now if you want to beat the backlog and move while the financial incentives are in place.

Today’s Conveyancer also published some tips, including those below, to help you speed up the process if you are thinking of selling or buying a new home.

  • The seller should instruct their conveyancer at the time of listing the property for sale.
  • Ask their conveyancer to review the property information forms and title and to identify any issues which might impact a sale.
  • The buyer should obtain a mortgage decision in principle ahead of putting an offer forward.
  • The buyer should instruct a conveyancer prior to making an offer.

The full article is well worth a read and can be found via this link: https://tinyurl.com/y59k254r

So, it’s crystal clear, if you want to move before the 31st March deadline you need to act now to give yourself the best chance.

I’m able to help you achieve this and make the most of the busy market we’re experiencing here in North Nottinghamshire. The good news is that estate agents in our area are selling properties fairly quickly, but as usual the conveyancing process (when the solicitors take over) is still taking far too long.

Give me a call on 01777 237310 to find out how I can help you beat the delays and get moving.

I’m here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants. Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


23 September 2020

A MUST SEE – Amazing Property For Sale – Ranskill, North Nottinghamshire


I want to bring to your attention this beautiful 4 bedroom detached house available right now in the village of Ranskill.

Location: Spinneymede, Mattersey Road, Ranskill, Retford DN22 8NB

I love this property because it's an absolute bargain price. OK, it’s not exactly ultra-modern, but you could move in straight away and be very comfortable. A quick description:

  • Generous Size Detached Four Bedroom Family Home
  • Three Reception Rooms & Sun Room
  • Kitchen & Separate Utility Room
  • Two En Suites & Family Bathroom
  • Enclosed Rear Garden Ideal for Outdoor Entertaining
  • Gated Off Road Parking & Detached Double Garage
  • Popular Cul De Sac Location
  • In the Sought-After Village of Ranskill
  • Close proximity to Retford & Bawtry Town Centres













The Price: Offers invited around £400,000
Is this a no brainer or what?

You can see all the details about this Ranskill property here on Rightmove:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69168468.html

Now have a look at what you could also buy in East Ham, London for the SAME PRICE.

 

For some reason the rear garden is described as LARGE?


Further details of the London property can be seen here:
https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/property-for-sale/3-bedroom-terraced-house-east-ham-292417#/

Now please don’t misunderstand me, I know London is London with London prices, but if you live in London or ‘down south’, I suggest you jump in your car and come 'up north' and see exactly what you could buy for the SAME price here in North Nottinghamshire.

If you already live in North Nottinghamshire, think how lucky you are to be able to snap up this property for only £400,000 or any serious offer you might want to make.

If you want to arrange a viewing for the Ranskill property call 01777 566400 and talk to Rod Dobson at Alexander Jacob, the Estate Agents dealing with this sale.
Visit the website:

http://www.alexanderjacob.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/10214601-spinneymede-mattersey-road-ranskill-retford

I’m here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants. Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire

 

 

 

 

 





THE NEW RULES - Do you really want to continue working from home? There is an alternative.


Instead of Working from Home, why not ask your Employer to Rent a Small Office for you?

THE NEW RULES - DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING FROM HOME?

There is an alternative.

ASK YOUR EMPLOYER TO RENT A SMALL OFFICE NEARBY

I know many people are facing a big hit from the government's drastic U-turn on offices. 
Not many people are arguing tougher measures aren't necessary now, but many firms want a lot more support to get through the crisis after being hammered once again through no fault of their own.

Just when we had all acknowledged the previous message ‘GET BACK TO WORK’ the tables have turned again.

Contrary to popular belief many people do NOT like working from home.

Not everyone has the luxury of a home office or use of a spare bedroom.

Plus work and home life don’t always mix for the benefit of everyone in the household.

Do you REALLY want to continue with:

  • A 24 hour working day?
  • Still sitting in your PJ’s in the afternoon?
  • Trying to look good for your next Zoom or Teams meeting?
  • Understanding that social isolation is a real thing?
  • Finding it harder to stay focused?
  • Household bills increasing every month as you use more electric and gas etc?

The hard fact is you never leave work. Working from home means you never leave the office. All this may increase your stress and worry levels.

There are many advantages to WFM. However, there are also many disadvantages that should not be overlooked.

Many large organisations including the public sector are very happy for you to continue working from home and we all know why. You’re helping to reduce operating costs but at the same time you are so much more productive. But your work:life balance is not looking good at all.

WHY NOT ASK FOR YOUR OWN OFFICE? - HOW?

You and/or your organisation can enjoy the benefits of your very own OFFICE.

Benefits include:

  • Meeting and interacting with REAL people face to face again.
  • Driving to ‘The Office’ just like in the old days.
  • Your OWN office location with 24 hour access just in case you need time to adjust back to the normal working life pattern.
  • A fixed monthly cost including heating, lighting, power, air conditioning, kitchen facilities, free WiFi, free use of meeting rooms and free car parking.
  • Working in an environment where WORK and HOME LIFE are no longer merged together.
  • All Offices are complete with desks and chairs.

If you think a NEW modern office right here in rural North Nottinghamshire would suit you better, then give me a call or drop me a message.

Small offices start from just £342+vat per month FULLY inclusive.

I can help you to GET YOUR OWN OFFICE or even a whole floor where your team can get back together.

Interested? Call me today to arrange a viewing.

Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire

See further details and floor plans here:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-to-let/property-85012534.html


21 September 2020

A TEN POINT CHECKLIST FOR LANDLORDS IN NORTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE


If you’re contemplating becoming a landlord, here’s a helpful checklist explaining what it takes to let a property.

You may wonder why a checklist is necessary. After all, how hard can it be? You buy a property, find a tenant, and boom, you’ve got the whole landlord game figured out. Wrong! 

The private rental sector is subject to so many rules and regulations that even experienced landlords get caught out and make costly mistakes. 

Here’s what you need to know.

1 Legal matters – There are at least 175 laws that apply to landlords in the UK, covering everything from evictions to electrical checks. You need to be on top of all of them.Claiming ignorance won’t get you off the hook if you get caught out.

2 Record keeping –It’s vital to maintain a clear paper trail so that if you get into a dispute, you have evidence to support your case. If you’re the kind of person who files important paperwork down the back of the sofa, consider getting someone to do it for you. 

3 Vigilance – No matter how nice your tenant seems to be, regular inspections are a must as they allow you to nip problems in the bud. Lax landlords run the risk of discovering that their property has been sub-let, trashed in a series of all-night parties or, holy smoke, turned into a cannabis farm.

4 Take out insurance – We’re not talking about standard home and contents insurance, but specific landlord insurance. (It’s usually a condition of buy-to-let mortgages.) Various policies are available, ranging from top-tier versions that cover almost every eventuality, to no-frills options.

5 People management –Dealing with people is a major part of being a landlord. Most tenants are reliable and honest, but some, unfortunately, can be infuriating. If a tenant falls into the latter category, you need to remain cool-headed when dealing with them. Good landlords make business decisions, not emotional ones.

6 Maintenance –Routine maintenance stops minor issues becoming major structural problems. It helps to have a network of reliable tradespeople who you can call on when you need work done.

7 Tenant selection – Invest time at the beginning of a tenancy to find the right tenant. Never rush the process when it comes to reference and credit checks.

8 Tax implications –The tax rules covering rental properties have been significantly reformed in recent years. It’s worth getting advice from an expert to ensure you understand what you need to pay and what you can claim back.

9 Understand the market –Successful landlords in North Nottinghamshire understand the lie of the land, so that when it comes to setting the rent, they are bang on the money. Getting the price right means your property won’t be sitting empty for long periods.

10 Back-up – Good landlords don’t blunder their way through – they have back-up in the form of a reputable letting agent. If you want support dealing with complicated legislation, handling problematic tenants and managing day-to-day admin and maintenance, get yourself a good letting agent. Remember, mistakes can be costly.

I help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants. Please contact me if you need any help or advice.

Call me or message me or drop me a note:
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


16 September 2020

Only 100 Days To Go......

            

Sometimes we all must talk about things we feel uncomfortable discussing.

It could be issues with a neighbour or a friend driving you nuts about some problem.

Whatever it is that makes you fidget in your seat or the thought of it, rest assured at The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire, I feel your discomfort about what I am about to discuss …

…..

….

….

…..

Christmas.

Before you douse me with the last of your summer wine or lecture me about it being the middle of September, please let me explain.

Today (16th September) marks 100 days until 25th December.

Let’s face it, 2020 has been a year most of planet earth will want to forget so some festive cheer, no matter how far away it seems, will be a welcome relief for many of us. Even if we can’t celebrate with our nearest and dearest family due to the law of six and social distancing.

Some Good News

Psychologists tell us that studies found that people who put their festive decorations up early are often happier than those who delay. So why wait until December?

In all seriousness, many people who are looking to buy a new home use the Christmas period as a space on the calendar to get things done by. I often hear people declare they want to ‘be in by Christmas’ or ‘Let’s get it sorted before Christmas’.

The thought of sitting on your sofa in your new home, watching the Queen’s speech with a sherry in one hand and a mince pie in the other, is appealing to many property seekers.

But if you want to turn that thought into reality, you’ll need to act – NOW.

By putting your home up for sale now, you give yourself a chance of being somewhere else by Christmas.

The second half of September is rated as a ‘good’ time to sell your home by the advice site TheAdvisory.co.uk and I agree with them.

The best-case scenario is that your sale and onward purchase (if there is one) are smooth ones, enabling you to make the 25th December deadline.

But even if you don’t wake up on Christmas Day in your new place, you’ll have given yourself a great head start to be in a new home for the start of a new year.

Whenever you are thinking of moving, I’d like to help you do it successfully.

Thanks for reading and this will be the last time I mention Christmas, until ……………well maybe until November.

I help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants. Please contact me if you need any help or advice.

Call me or message me or drop me a note:
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


14 September 2020

Selling a Property in the Retford Area - How long will it take?


The Current average (median) time to sell a property in the Retford area is just 45 days.

Semi-detached and detached houses are selling quickly.

Time to Sell Analysis for Retford Area (based on Postcode area DN22)

Selling times for homes in DN22 represent the actual time taken from a property coming onto market to reaching a sold status.
During the past 90 days up to 13 September 2020

Total Properties

Median

Selling time Retford Area

         268

45 days



Asking Prices – Retford Area

According to the major property portals 97% of asking prices are being achieved in the Retford area.

There are currently 213 properties for sale in our area. The asking prices are as follows (averages) compared to September 2019


Thanks for reading.

I help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants. Please contact me if you need any help or advice.

Call me or message me or drop me a note:
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


13 September 2020

RETFORD PROPERTY MARKET – 100 days after opening from lockdown. Look at what’s going on.

The government allowed the housing market to reopen on Wednesday 13th May 2020. Since then and much to the surprise of estate agents the market has been buzzing.
Let's look at what has happened since then and how the Retford property has changed.

Housing market activity is at its strongest since 2015, driven by pent-up demand and a once-in-a-lifetime re-evaluation of what buyers want from a home in the wake of lockdown, according to the latest Zoopla House Price Index.

Housing market rebound continues

The post-lockdown housing market rebound shows few signs of slowing despite the UK going into recession, with the number of new sales agreed in August running 76% ahead of the five-year average.

Buyer appetite since the start of 2020 is now 34% higher than the same eight months in 2019 and, despite the summer holidays, it remains unseasonably strong.

More homes are coming onto the market too, with the flow of new supply over the last month 50% up on this time last year.

While the supply of new homes for sale remains below last year's volumes, the gap is closing steadily.

Faster sales in Retford area

The bounce in activity has meant that homes are selling at a faster rate here in the Retford area than before the pandemic.

Since lockdown restrictions were lifted, the average (median) number of days to sell a home has been just 45 days. See my blog coming soon about ‘How long does it take to sell in Retford?’

It bodes well for buyers who are looking to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, which will run until 31 March 2021.

Buyer sweet spots

Lockdown has not only impacted the time it takes to sell a home, it has influenced the types of homes that are selling too. Houses are changing hands faster than flats as buyers prioritise more space.

Three-bedroom houses (where the supply-demand imbalance is most pronounced) remain the hottest, taking an average of just 38 days to sell since lockdown lifted. And flats are taking the longest time to sell, at an average of 70 days.

Meanwhile, four and five-bedroom houses are selling 33% faster than in 2019, as buyers move away from more expensive urban areas in favour of locations where their budgets will stretch further. In fact, four-bedroom houses are now selling faster than the average flat.

More homes for sale from wealthier sellers

There’s been an uptick in wealthier homeowners looking to move, which is driving up asking prices.

This is thought to be the result of a reignition of activity in London and south east England, with improved affordability and recent stamp duty changes contributing to more homes being put up for sale. Many people from the south are looking at the bargains they can see ‘up north’.

Thanks for reading.

Coming next…….How Long Does it take to sell a property in Retford?

Call me or message me or drop me a note:
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire


12 September 2020

Renting with pets: 5 top tips for finding the perfect pet-friendly home

 

Half the adult population in Britain currently owns a pet. And with adults in their mid-30s and mid-40s three times as likely to rent today as they were 20 years ago, there are a lot of tenants who need pet-friendly homes.

Traditionally, many landlords and letting agents have been hesitant to allow tenants to keep pets in their properties. Only 7% of landlords currently advertise homes as suitable for pets.

But with animal shelters and charities reporting surges in demand for puppies and kittens during lockdown, and an estimated 9.9 million dogs and 10.9 million cats living in the UK, finding suitable long-term shelter for both humans and their furry friends has become a hot topic.

The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, has called on landlords to make it easier for responsible tenants to have well-behaved pets in their homes. 

He unveiled government plans earlier this year to revise the model tenancy contracts for renters, which can be used as the basis of lease agreements made between tenants and landlords, to remove restrictions on well-behaved pets. 

"Pets bring a huge amount of joy and comfort to people’s lives, helping their owners through difficult times and improving their mental and physical wellbeing," Jenrick said.

"So, it’s a shame that thousands of animal-loving tenants and their children can’t experience this because they rent their homes instead of owning property."

A revised model tenancy agreement is expected to be published by the government later this year.

Top tips for finding a suitable rental for you and your pet

1. Start planning early

Decent pet-friendly rental properties can be challenging to find. Not only will the tenancy agreement need to permit pets, your new home will need to tick certain boxes.

For example, if you have a cat, you’ll need to make sure the property is away from a main road and has a cat flap. For dog owners, making sure your new home is big enough and close to a park is likely to be a priority.

It makes sense to crack on with your property search a good eight weeks before you need to move out of your current home.

Try to be flexible in your search too. Expanding your search area or the type of property you want to live in should increase your chances of finding a new place for you and your pet to call 'home'.

The Zoopla search tool can help. Simply put in the area you want to live in and then click "filter results" to select "pets allowed". You can also add keywords such as “park” or “quiet” to your search criteria using the advanced search.

2. Make a good case for your pet

If you’ve found a landlord that is open to pets but needs a bit of persuading, there are things you can do to put them at ease.

For example, provide them with your pet’s medical details, such as latest vaccinations, flea and worming treatments and microchipping and neutering confirmation.

You can also pass on the contact information of your vet and someone who can look after your pet in the event of an emergency.

If you’ve previously rented, ask your former landlord for a reference to prove that your pet has been well behaved and caused no issues at the property. This will reassure prospective landlords that you are a responsible owner.

3. Amend the contract

The vast majority of rental contracts are Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements. These set out basic details such as the start date and length of the tenancy, the cost of rent and the notice you will be required to give if you want to leave.

The contract will also set out what you can and can't do in the property, for example decorate – or have a pet. 

The beauty of Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements is that they can be amended to suit both parties before you sign.

In this case, you could suggest that, while the tenancy agreement is amended to allow a pet, it also includes specific obligations around it such as keeping the property clean and free from unpleasant smells.

It could also include an agreement that you will cover the costs of a professional clean of the property when you move out or that you will allow regular inspections of the property during the course of the tenancy.

Alternatively, you could suggest paying a bigger deposit to cover potential costs of damage caused by your pet.

For example, if the landlord is asking for four weeks' rent as a deposit, suggest upping it to five weeks as this is the maximum they are permitted to take from you since the Tenant Fees Bill came into effect.

As long as the contract is an AST, whatever deposit you pay will be safeguarded in one of the government's three Tenancy Deposit Schemes.

Lastly, you may even agree to pay a slightly higher rent. Although, the landlord will need to specify clearly what the rent is with a pet, and without. 

4. Introduce your pet to your landlord

Another way to put your potential landlord’s mind at ease is to have them meet your pet in advance, although this is really only relevant with dogs.

Once the landlord has met your dog they can see how your animal interacts with strangers and how well behaved they are. If you are comfortable doing so, you could invite the landlord to your current home to prove you’re a responsible tenant and your pet has a good nature.

Even if you are dealing with a letting agent and not the landlord direct, their job is to find the most secure, reliable and appropriate tenant for the property. 

A tenant who pays the rent on time, is reasonable and looks after the property is the ideal scenario – even if they do have a dog.

5. Don’t keep a pet without consent

Always be upfront with your landlord about keeping pets in a property.

If they discover, through property inspections or, worse, through complaints from neighbours, that you are keeping a pet without consent, you could find yourself in trouble.

This is a breach of contract which is grounds to start an eviction process.

Thanks for reading.

Call me or message me or drop me a note:
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire