[holland]

Anyone any positive or negative experiences.......

[Jo Jo]

Do you mean renting out your own house? Or renting out a house for you to live in?

[willsken]

We have 2 rental properties in the UK. One we have just put on the market as we are in the process of buying some land out here. We intend to keep one of them and so far we haven't had any real problems. I would say the main advice from me would be to make sure you use a very good agent.

[holland]

Hi Jo Jo, I mean people renting out there own properties

[Jo Jo]

I'm going to be renting out my flat when I go to NZ, and have done quite a lot of research into it over the years (as it was always my plan to rent my current flat out when I bought a new place).

As Willsken says, a good agent is a must. I haven't found an agent yet, but I have contacted a few in my local area and asked them for quotes, and have asked people I know that rent out properties (and people who rent properties) for recommendations.

If you haven't already spoken to an IFA about remortgaging your property then I recommend doing so. I remortgaged mine and released a load of equity (which I put towards buying a house in NZ), and have switched to an interest only mortgage, so even though the mortgage is bigger than I had before, the repayments are the same as before, and are comfortably below the rentable value of the flat (even allowing for void periods).

The other thing my IFA mentioned, which I haven't sorted out yet, is getting landlord's contents insurance, which covers damage from tenants.

Of course, I haven't rented out my flat yet, so it could all go horribly wrong, but there is lots you can do to make it less of a financial risk.

Hope that helps.

[Caroline and Dave]

I would say the main advice from me would be to make sure you use a very good agent.

We agree entirely with what Nicola is saying.We have been in the rental business for years and are in the process of finishing the business in the UK. Be very careful what agent you use.Try and find someone by reccomendation as in most things there are good and bad. If there is anything we can advise you on please pm us

All the best

Dave and Caroline