UK Landlord Forum / Life

I am a young professional in the Oxfordshire area, I have just bought a property and want to let it out to students at the local universities.

What are the biggest problems faced by landlords that I should be aware of? I don't really know whether it's worth doing it privately or going with a letting agent. What are the biggest disadvantages with using letting agents?

Thank you so much for any info you can share! I really just don't know what to expect and want to know about the biggest problems/headaches faced by landlords before I get my first tenant!

1. Dont buy the property until you are sure of your market and the way you wish to trade in that market....


Ooops!

2. Ask all friends family and randomers on Forums for advice.

3. Do what you were going to do anyway.

4. Learn from your own mistakes.

5. Go back to forum and give witless puerile and negative commentary in a been there seen it done it fashion.

6. Occasionally use the wrong form of "there" and get chastised.



Agents are shits, they cost the earth, they may mean you spend less time managing your property.

You managing is more time consuming, more profitable in the long run, but you are in control.

It all depends how "professional" you are, if you can wire a plug, and stir paint with a stick, do it yourself, if your idea of DIY is mentioning the problem to your Dad, who eventually does it, get an Agent.