Stirling Office: 01786 236 400,
Edinburgh Office: 0131 573 0350
Forth Residential Letting Agents in Stirling and Edinburgh
Forth Residential Letting Agents in Stirling and Edinburgh
Investing in residential property in Stirling and Edinburgh is a wise choice, but navigating the complexities of property management as a new landlord can feel daunting. That’s where a trusted letting agent like Forth Residential can make all the difference.
Our aim is to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible. If you’re letting your property for the first time, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started.
Call us on 01786 236 400 or email info@forthresidential.co.uk. We offer an instant online rental valuation or a property visit for a more detailed valuation and free, impartial advice.
Firstly, talk to your lender to ensure you have permission to let your property. You also need to get in touch with your insurer to make sure your policy covers everything you need. You should have landlord specific cover for buildings, contents and public liability. Tenants are responsible for insurance for their own belongings.
If you are based overseas for 6 months of the year or more you are classed as a non-resident landlord by HMRC. We are required to deduct tax directly from your rental income. You can opt out of this and pay your tax by self assessment. Full details of the scheme and the application to opt out are on the HMRC website. Our agent reference is 904/NA047007.
Every new landlord needs to register with their local council. This can be completed very easily online via the Landlord Registration website. You will need our Letting Agent Registration Number which is LARN1805009.
To meet current legislation in Scotland your property needs to have:
This sounds like a lot – don’t worry – we have qualified contractors can carry out all the safety checks in one visit to save time and money. We can also arrange for your smoke alarms to be upgraded if required and recommend installation of a fire blanket where possible. We ensure your safety certificates are renewed and kept up to date as part of our management service.
Good photographs are essential to show your property at it’s best and this is definitely one for the professionals. When you are ready, our photographer will take a good selection of photographs. We advertise on all the major portals, including Rightmove and OntheMarket to source suitable tenants on your behalf. We ask for references and carry out credit checks as standard. All viewings are accompanied by one of our agents and we offer appointments 7 days a week.
To comply with current legislation your tenant’s deposit must be held and protected with a government approved scheme. We use My Deposits Scotland and lodge the funds on your behalf.
It is important that a lease protects your interests and complies with current legislation. Our PRT tenancy agreement is very robust and is updated regularly to ensure compliance.
A good inventory is essential so both parties have an accurate account of the property. We use the latest software from Hello Report to prepare a detailed inventory prior to the start of the lease. This is typically a minimum of 50 pages long and contains photographs of all areas inside and out. This helps to avoid any disputes at the end of the tenancy.
What you provide will depend whether you are renting furnished or unfurnished. Unfurnished properties usually come with white goods and window coverings. Furnished properties will also come with the key pieces of furniture. We recommend not leaving smaller items such as cutlery and crockery as most tenants tend to have their own.
We are happy to offer a free property visit to discuss your requirements and make things as easy as possible. Just fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away. We also provide a free instant online rental valuation.
