Various queries on renting a flat - never done it before!?

As far as your London flat goes, your best bet is to draw up a standard tenancy agreement as if your ex-partner was just any other tenant. It gets a bit difficult if you're trying to make him responsible for the mortgage - at the end of the day if he doesn't pay up, it's your flat that will be getting repossessed. This means that if you don't have a fixed rate mortgage then your mortgage payments will fluctuate over time so he may not be paying the exact sum that payments are costing, but you should be able to get it close enough. You do need to inform the bank that this flat is no longer your main residence and this could possibly (but not definitely) affect your mortgage terms, and it will usually affect your insurance.

In terms of the flat you are going to rent, you will need to pay:

- Council tax

- Water rates

- Electricity

- Gas

- TV licence

- Contents insurance to cover your own property only, not to cover furniture etc. (You do not pay buildings insurance.)

No, the property does not usually come with a landline phone but you are of course free to get it connected yourself, and you will pay for line rental and calls yourself. You will also pay for broadband yourself. Satellite television is the only thing that you must ask the landlord's permission for, since installing a satellite dish could cause damage to the property, but anything else like this you just go ahead and pay for it yourself.

Regarding renting the flat you own - you need to let the mortgage company know although not everyone does. Ask them what the implications are and decide on course of action. You should give your ex or whoever a legal tenancy contract and get a deposit and rent in advance. If they default on their rent then you are covered. Renting can go well but if it goes wrong you could end up with a lot of problems. Imagine if your tenant stopped paying the rent and then you need to take them to court! You are looking at a good 4 months plus costs and no rent so protect yourself as much as you can.

Regarding renting a flat for yourself. Get a valid contract the usual is a 6 month assured shorthold tenancy contract which will detail the terms and conditions of your tenancy. Breach the contract the you can be evicted. Simple! Usually you are responsible for council tax and all bills unless you share the flat with others. Contents insurance is usually up to the tenant but ask the landlord. Buildings insurance is up to whoever actually owns the place. Most landlords will not cover any bills so you need to budget for everything including water rates.

PS you can get leaflets from your local council re renting privately and tenancy rights

Good luck

2

Hi

Your flat.............She may be your ex and still a friend now, but things can change. You need it on a Short-hold Tenancy Agreement, the same as the one you will get on your rented flat. Make sure she pays you into your bank account, and then you can pay the mortgage. You should inform the mortgage company, as they may ask for different insurance. You should also inform the tax man ! but that's up to you.

You will have to pay a "fee" to the agent, this will be a reference fee, and admin charge. Once in it will be rent, council tax, water rates, gas,electric, you should have contents insurance, the landlord is liable for buildings ins.

If you rent furnished, then if any of your white goods, breakdown it will be the landlord that will put it right.

I can give you some advice about letting the ex pay you the mortgage payment. Since he/she is under no legal obligation to pay the mortgage, then you will be lucky to get paid after awhile. Then you will have the problem of evicting and still making the mortgage payment plus the rent on the new flat.