Rent / let

If you have a property to let or you’re looking to rent a new home – full-time or as a vacation rental – there are many things to take into account.

This category guides you through renting and discusses what you should consider before you begin your search, when you view a property and before you sign. You can also read about everything from preparing your property for rental and how best to market it, to what to consider before you stop renting and sell your second home.

Renting property

If you’re looking for accommodation to rent there are three things that will make your search a lot easier. One is how much you want to spend – if you don't, for example, search with a minimum amount in mind, you could spend a long time trawling through unsuitable properties.

Secondly, you should draw up a feature list defining what you definitely want, or do not want, from your future home and landlord. Once you have your budget and criteria in mind, the final thing is to call up a letting agent. A letting agent will be able to do a lot of the leg work for you, like narrowing down a search and booking viewings on properties. They’ll be able to let you know immediately if they have anything in their inventory, or coming soon, that exactly meets your needs.

You’ll want to view promising properties in person to be 100% sure they’re as good as they look, as well as to envisage yourself in the space. If you’re moving to a new country and can’t possibly pre-view, build up a good relationship with your estate agent so they can make an informed choice for you, at least on a short-term basis.

If your search hasn’t returned what you were hoping, you can reevaluate your budget and feature list – are your features too much for the budget you’ve set, or is there something you could compromise on?

Letting property 

To get a property ready to let you need a few essentials in place. Firstly, you need to decide if you’ll be the landlord and sole point of contact or if you prefer a more hands-off approach – in which case you’ll need a property manager. Property managers and estate agents that help you get the property marketed and ultimately let, will need to be factored into your initial letting costs.

An estate agent can help you evaluate the market within which your property competes and let you know what you can charge, while also assessing what repair work or renovations you may need before you let. Before you even start looking for a tenant you’ll also need to decide how long you’re looking to let for, the type of tenant and contract you’d like. You’ll also need legal aid drawing up the appropriate documentation. Once these are confirmed, it’s time to start marketing your property.

More insight

For more insight into renting your dream property, or how to prepare for a successful tenancy, take a look at the articles in this category. If you’re ready to begin a property search, you can browse our properties to let or drop into to your local Engel & Völkers to talk to one of our area experts.