Rented accomodation letting - best times to begin term if you have a choice

Hey everyone,

I`m a landlord and I`ve always rented my accomodation from around Sep -Sep every year (as I completed sale at that time). I now have a prospective tenant (excellent full professional, older, gentleman) porblem is he only wants to rent for 9 months and I`m concerned that he will be finished at the end of May.

September with all the Universities coming back etc seems to be a very good time for landlords to rent is May/June much quieter? With all the summer month apts coming online with people returning home and sub-letting is it flooded then or does it really matter?

Any advice from people who`ve tried to rent then or from landlords who have seen both rental times would be much appreciated.

Re: Lettings Summer not the time?

You could always drop the rent slightly and rent it out for a short-term contract - e.g. May to September. I've done this a few times to tide me over a 'barren' period. That said, if the house is in a good location and the rent is reasonable, you shouldn't have much difficulty getting a year-long lease signed in May.

Re: Lettings Summer not the time?

I generally look after getting people in to the shared apartment I rent, and the only time of year I've found difficult was late November/December. May should be fine, particularly if you're looking for someone for a year.

Thanks for your suggestions. I just found that Sept seems to be a peak time with so much of the lower priced apts being taken by students and post-grads that it creates a bit of a frenzy.
Apt is nice and very well located but as a relatively new investor I need to get top rents to cover my mortgage.

With thanks

I have never had a problem renting anytime of the year in the past, if the house/apt is fresh and clean it will let after one or two viewings.

Thanks again I`ll certainly be happier now renting it out for the 9 months.