First time renting to rent allowance

Hi,

Hope this is correct forum,

I may have a tenant for my flat. Thing is it will be my first time dealing with rent allowance.

Must say as long as references check out and money paid, I have no issue with it.
Has anyone got any do's and don'ts wrt rent alowance.

TIA

Mark

Make sure you get the deposit and first month's rent up front. Don't accept that they are waiting for the RA to come through as this can takes months. RA is paid in arrears so unless you get this money up front you will perpetually be being paid late, leaving you in effect with no deposit.

+1

Make sure you get proof that they have been definitely approved for rent allowance before you let them into your property.

Get them to sign a 'Rent Supplement Consent Form' or waiver so that the rent supplement can be paid directly to your bank account and not to the tenant. If you want a copy of this form, PM me with your email address and I will send it to you.

Others may have had different experiences, I have only let to RA tenants once and would never do it again.

I think it is not right to tar RA tenants with the one brush, it sounds as though you may be inexperienced as far as letting property is concerned. There's one surefire way to find out what your flat will be like when you get it back.

Go and check out the current condition of your new tenants old address.

I know it may sound a bit out of the ordinary but I have done it before and you will be surprised how close you can be to dodging a bullet with this tactic.