Popular Articles

Popular OpenRent articles across key landlord topics.

5 Awful Reasons Landlords Don’t Do Inventories
TENANCY SETUP 26 JANUARY 2021
5 Awful Reasons Landlords Don’t Do Inventories

Given how helpful property inventories are, it blows our mind that many landlords think they simply don’t need one. An […]
WhatsApp, Email or Letters: What’s Best for Landlord-Tenant Communication
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 16 DECEMBER 2020
WhatsApp, Email or Letters: What’s Best for Landlord-Tenant Communication

Regular readers of the Landlord Hub will have noticed one piece of advice coming up again and again: speak to […]
How to Find Good Tradespeople for Your Rental Property
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 10 DECEMBER 2020
How to Find Good Tradespeople for Your Rental Property

Landlords need to know how to find reliable tradespeople to maintain and repair their rental properties. When you find a […]
Sell or Rent? What to Do with Your Empty Property
TAX & FINANCE 8 DECEMBER 2020
Sell or Rent? What to Do with Your Empty Property

An empty property hits landlords with a double whammy: you have no money coming in yet still have bills to […]
Common Mistakes Property Investors Make When Setting up Tenancy Agreements
TENANCY SETUP 7 DECEMBER 2020
Common Mistakes Property Investors Make When Setting up Tenancy Agreements

Residential property has been one of the best investments in the UK for decades, generating rental incomes that have increased […]
Differences in Landlord Rules and Regulations Across the UK: England, Scotland and Wales
LAW & REGULATION 18 NOVEMBER 2020
Differences in Landlord Rules and Regulations Across the UK: England, Scotland and Wales

The UK’s constitutional settlement means that landlord laws in England, Scotland and Wales are diverging, with different rules for each […]
Problem Tenants: What to Do if Your Tenant Behaves Badly
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 12 NOVEMBER 2020
Problem Tenants: What to Do if Your Tenant Behaves Badly

This is a hands-on guide to the most common problems landlords encounter when tenants behave in a way that breaks […]
What to Ask Prospective Tenants at Viewings
FINDING TENANTS 12 NOVEMBER 2020
What to Ask Prospective Tenants at Viewings

A viewing is the tenant’s chance to see your property — but it’s also your chance to meet the tenant. […]
What to Do if Your Tenant Breaks Contract and Leaves Abruptly
LAW & REGULATION 10 NOVEMBER 2020
What to Do if Your Tenant Breaks Contract and Leaves Abruptly

This is a hands-on guide to one of the trickiest problems landlords encounter: when tenants break the terms of their […]
What Are the Tenant’s Responsibilities for Maintenance and Repairs?
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 29 OCTOBER 2020
What Are the Tenant’s Responsibilities for Maintenance and Repairs?

When you hand over the keys to your new tenant, everything in your rental property will be in safe and […]
Do You Have to Pay Income Tax on Rental Income?
TAX & FINANCE 20 OCTOBER 2020
Do You Have to Pay Income Tax on Rental Income?

There’s an old saying that only two things are certain in life: death and taxes. And sure enough, letting rental […]
The Quick Guide for Accidental Landlords
TENANCY SETUP 8 SEPTEMBER 2020
The Quick Guide for Accidental Landlords

Have you unexpectedly acquired an extra property, want to rent it out and are not sure what to do next? […]
How to Find Tenants for Your Rental Property
FINDING TENANTS 2 SEPTEMBER 2020
How to Find Tenants for Your Rental Property

If you’re a new landlord, finding tenants can feel like a big task. It’s definitely one of the most important […]
How to Agree a Rent Repayment Plan
TAX & FINANCE 11 JUNE 2020
How to Agree a Rent Repayment Plan

Many tenants have seen a substantial or even total loss of income during the COVID-19 shutdown. Some landlords have responded […]
How to Vet Tenants with Pre-Viewing Questions
FINDING TENANTS 17 OCTOBER 2019
How to Vet Tenants with Pre-Viewing Questions

We have put together a list of pre-viewing questions you can ask prospective tenants to make sure they’re a good […]
Should I Use a Full Property Management Service?
TENANCY SETUP 9 SEPTEMBER 2019
Should I Use a Full Property Management Service?

High street agents take up to 15% of your rent to manage your property. That can easily be over £1,000 a […]
How to Add Custom Clauses to OpenRent’s Contract (AST)
TENANCY SETUP 6 AUGUST 2019
How to Add Custom Clauses to OpenRent’s Contract (AST)

If you choose to use our Rent Now tenancy creation service, then you’ll be using our standard contract. It’s an […]
Your Rental Advert’s First 48-Hours (and Why They Matter So Much)
FINDING TENANTS 26 JUNE 2019
Your Rental Advert’s First 48-Hours (and Why They Matter So Much)

We’re analysing our rental data to bring landlords valuable insights on how to find great tenants quickly. By looking at […]
New Rules to Help Tenants in Unfit Rental Properties
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 22 MARCH 2019
New Rules to Help Tenants in Unfit Rental Properties

This is a guide for tenants on the Homes (Fitness) Act (2018). To see the landlord guide, click here! A […]
When to Put Your Property on the Market
FINDING TENANTS 24 FEBRUARY 2019
When to Put Your Property on the Market

Timing your rental property’s entry to the market is key to making the most of your advertising. Here is everything […]
Homes (Fitness) Act Allows Tenants to Sue Landlords over Property Condition
LAW & REGULATION 3 JANUARY 2019
Homes (Fitness) Act Allows Tenants to Sue Landlords over Property Condition

From 20th March 2020, all tenants in England will gain powers to fight unfit housing — including the ability to […]
Three Big Mistakes Landlords Make with Tenancy Agreements (ASTs)
TENANCY SETUP 24 OCTOBER 2018
Three Big Mistakes Landlords Make with Tenancy Agreements (ASTs)

Many landlords use their own tenancy agreements: sometimes using the same old agreement over and over again for years or […]
How to Get a Warrant of Possession When Evicting Tenants
LAW & REGULATION 15 JUNE 2018
How to Get a Warrant of Possession When Evicting Tenants

How to Evict a Tenant: Step Three: Warrant of Possession This guide is the last of the three-step process to […]
8 Things Landlords NEED to Know about Benefits (‘DSS’)
FINDING TENANTS 4 JANUARY 2018
8 Things Landlords NEED to Know about Benefits (‘DSS’)

Universal Credit is rolling out across the UK, with huge consequences for landlords and tenants – yet many are still […]
Free Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST rental contract) | Download Now!
TENANCY SETUP 25 JULY 2017
Free Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST rental contract) | Download Now!

Most residential tenancy agreements in England & Wales are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). This kind of tenancy was introduced by […]
Company Lets: What Are They & How Are They Different?
LAW & REGULATION 31 MAY 2017
Company Lets: What Are They & How Are They Different?

Landlord law expert Tessa Shepperson explains the law behind letting a company rent your residential property for the use of […]
Are You Putting off Good Tenants with High Upfront Costs?
FINDING TENANTS 18 APRIL 2017
Are You Putting off Good Tenants with High Upfront Costs?

A great way to put tenants off your property is to demand a big lump-sum payment before they can move […]
7 Reasons a Floor Plan Will Get Your Advert More Attention
FINDING TENANTS 24 FEBRUARY 2017
7 Reasons a Floor Plan Will Get Your Advert More Attention

When preparing the advert for your rental property, it can be tempting to miss out a floor plan. It’s not […]
How to Take Great Photos of Your Property
FINDING TENANTS 24 FEBRUARY 2017
How to Take Great Photos of Your Property

Photos are the single most important part of your advert. But why? It is key to remember that the overwhelming […]
How Can I Attract More Tenants to My Property Listing?
FINDING TENANTS 7 FEBRUARY 2017
How Can I Attract More Tenants to My Property Listing?

We want your property advert to attract as many tenants as possible, so we’ve identified seven major areas where you […]