Bracknell

New guidance released last week by Bracknell Forest Council, in partnership with Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), aims to help local people thinking of renting out their home.

With the recession now biting, many Bracknell home owners are struggling to pay their bills. To relieve some of the pressure, many people have taken the decision to become private landlords and rent out their homes. Rental income can help the budget, but a lack of knowledge of the law can prove costly further down the line.

The private rented sector has an important part to play in the housing market and Bracknell Forest Council wants to support it to ensure that part of the market continues to work effectively.

By following this simple ten-point checklist Bracknell people can avoid trouble when renting their homes:

1. Speak to your morgage lender;

2. Get references from potential tenants;

3. Prepare a formal tenancy agreement;

4. If you take a deposit, it must be properly protected;

5. Obtain an energy performance certificate;

6. Find out whether you need a property licence;

7. Get all your gas and electrical appliances checked;

8. Minimise the risk from fire;

9. Ensure that your property presents no risk to your tenants' health and safety;

10. Don't find yourself in court when something goes wrong.

It is essential that if people plan to rent out their property that they seek advice and do it properly.

For example by failing to speak to a mortgage lender, people could lose their home and the result of not licencing a property could result in a fine of up to £20,000.

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: "This timely new guidance will help residents who are thinking of renting out their home. Helping people understand the pitfalls and the rules could save them from losing their home or being fined.

"Taking a common sense approach to being a landlord should help people avoid problems with tenants or the law."

Geoffrey Theobald OBE, LACORS Chairman, said: "The credit crunch has placed many people's budgets near to breaking point. To try and combat mounting bills and rising unemployment, many people are looking to rent out their home. This guidance aims to keep people from making costly mistakes as they take on tenants."

Bracknell Forest Council