Tenants: some advice, please

Can anyone at Onverwacht tell me something about their experiences with tenants?

I'm taking early retirement at the end of June, which means that my house will be unoccupied for long periods of time. I thought that I might as well let the house in order to ease the financial burden, but I know how tenants can wreck a place.

Comments, anyone?

Chris

Hi Chris,
I had to revamp my house totally after letting it for 5 years. This is not the kind of news you want to hear, but it's a fact. It happened regularly that they wait untill the middle of the month to pay or didn't pay at all. Some just moved out, leaving the deposit, but then you have no tenants for the next month. Once I had to replace the upstairs carpets, because they kept a litter of small dogs. I used an estate agent while I was living in Europe, but they couldn't do much, because the only one bound to that contract is the homeowner. You just cannot easily put out a tenant.
I suggest that you take a 3 month deposit and not make the rent too low. Maybe this will asure you of a good tenant. The rent for a house without a garage at the moment lies around 3'700 to 4'000.
Good luck with your tenants
Emmie

Thanks for the good advice, Emmie. I'll keep it in mind if I do decide to let.

Hi Chris
I also had to revamp since the previous tenants left but it was time do to something at the house.
I tried to interveiw new tenants and found out more about them and make sure they can afford the rent.
I also change my contract for the rent and the rent must now be paid before the last working day on the present month. That leave you with some time to react sooner.
( How about a spell checker in this forum)
Groete
Bekker

Hi Bekker

Thanks for the advice.

You mention that you amended the contract. To what extent is this possible? As Emmie pointed out, the contract mostly protects the tenant, which is not really desirable. I suppose she referred to the standard contract that one can buy at the CNA (or used to be able to buy?).

But if one could amend the contract, that would improve matters somewhat.

I have also thought of the idea to interview prospective tenants first, but I would imagine that this could be quite time consuming. But it's probably worth it...

By the way, regarding the spell checker, I'll see what I can do. Otherwise, as moderator, I'll check spelling myself!

Cheers,
Chris

Hi Chris

I use and highly recommend Estelle from Seeff - Cell 072 141 4117 / Office 021 873-0477.
She is a true professional.

Kathryn

Thanks for the advice, Kathryn. I'll check it out.

Regards,
Chris