Top questions to ask a landlord before letting their property

Time is an important factor in the life of any letting agent. As the main point of contact for tenants, the agent is always under pressure to ensure things get done in a timely manner so the tenant is happy. But in many cases delays can occur because the agent needs to wait on the green light from the landlord to get stuff done.

One way to get around this where we do not manage the property is to simply talk to the landlord in advance. Ask them questions that can help aid the fluidity of your processes, and keep their answers on file to make it easier when tenants do come to you with a pressing issue. Here, we take a look at a few of the things you can ask in order to make this a reality and smooth out the process of getting things done.

Can the tenant decorate ‘
A common query for tenants to make these days, many want to know if they are allowed to make changes to the property to make it more their own. However, we can’t really give an answer either way without first checking with the landlord. This is something that can be done before a tenancy has even been agreed, with the agent just keeping the notes, and any requests from the landlord, on file, to be used if and when a tenant does ask.

How should you deal with renewals?
Renewing tenancies can be something of a long, drawn-out affair for agents. Between contacting tenants, then contacting landlords, and acting as a go-between for both, it can be a lengthy process, especially if one, or both, are taking their time responding. You can save some of this time by asking the landlord in advance about their preferences, however. Do they favour shorter tenancies, do they want to increase rent? Knowing as much information as possible goes a long way.

Are pets allowed in the property?
Now that tenants increasingly see their rented property as home, there are more people than ever looking to move pets in when they take out a new rented home. However, landlord opinion on this practice is split, so agents still need to get clearance before they can say yes or no. Asking the landlord this early and keeping their answer on file allows you to get back to the tenant as soon as you can with a definitive answer either way, meaning they don’t have to nervously wait.

What’s the best way to get in touch?
Communication between landlord and letting agent is crucial when it comes to getting any of the above done, and if you need to get in touch with them at any time, it’s best that you know how to in order to be able to get back to the tenant as soon as possible. Some landlords, for example, will be happy to be contacted by phone during the day, but are easier to reach via email at night. If you know this, it gives you a head start in terms of getting stuff done.