In message , Owain
writes
wrote:
Would you recommend getting a lawyer to write an official rental
contract or just do it on a handshake & deposit

You *must* have a proper tenancy agreement with all the proper notices
served on the tenant before the start of the tenancy, otherwise you run
a very real risk of granting the tenant security of tenure for life.


You cant say "must" anymore as, without a written tenancy, it is assumed
to be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. In fact, using the wrong form of
tenancy agreement could create exactly the problem you are suggesting,
so a verbal agreement could be as good as any - except you wouldnt be
able to use the Accelerated Possession procedure, and would have to
attend a hearing if you want possession.

You can get the forms from stationers or even tesco.com but follow the
instructions very carefully.

I use the RLA forms, which you can get by joining, (possibly as a
guest), and have used them successfully in several evictions.


and should I hand it over to an agency or do it myself?

If you can find a good agent ...

agreed


If you live locally you are probably better managing it yourself.

agreed


You will need your insurers' and mortgagors' agreement and some
mortgage companies will insist that the property is let through an
agency.


Moot point. The mortgage agreement usually requires this, but you dont
actually need it.

Not trying to be awkward, but this is a very trick area.

Regds

--
Richard Faulkner