Renting out an empty home

Before letting a property

You should also consider whether your property is up to the required health and safety standard for letting by following Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS): guidance for landlords and property-related professionals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Our Housing and Pollution officers can help with any queries regarding this standard.

You may also need to obtain consent from (or at least to consult with):

• Your freeholder - if you are thinking of letting out a leasehold flat
• The Council’s Planning Department – if you are intending to make structural changes to the property, or change its use
• The Council’s Housing and Pollution section – who will advise on the standard a property must meet in order to be let
• The Council Tax department
• Your property insurance company
• Your tax office, accountant or financial adviser
  
  

If you own an empty property but do not wish to sell it, it may make sense to rent it out. Not only would this provide a home for someone who needs it, but would also generate an income for you as owner.

A number of options are available.

Through a letting agent

There are a number of private letting agents who provide services in Conwy, and are generally able to advise on market rents, property standards, finding and assessing potential tenants, drafting tenancy agreements and property management. As with all organisations, letting agents operate to different standards, so please ensure you make appropriate enquiries to satisfy yourself of what they will offer before you enter into an agreement with them. Most reputable accommodation providers are registered with one or more of the following:

National Approved Letting Scheme

• Association of Residential Letting Agencies
• National Association of Estate Agents
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors – who also have a guide on letting a property and choosing an agent

Letting through a Housing Association

Some Housing Associations are interested in letting and managing privately owned property. For more information visit the HAWS website (http://www.haws.org.uk/services/).

Letting it yourself

You must follow certain rules when granting a tenancy and you will have many obligations as a Landlord.  It is important you are aware of these and keep up to date with any changes in legislation that may affect you or your rented property. You can join Landlord organisations, subscribe to Landlord sites or keep an eye on information websites such as:

• The National Residential Landlords Association NRLA - The Home For Landlords
• Landlord Zone
• Electrical Safety Council - A Landlords Guide to Electrical Safety
• Health & Safety Executive
• Gas safety FAQs for Landlords and Letting Agents - A guide to landlords duties
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

You will also need to become ‘licensed’ with Rent Smart Wales if you intend to manage your own tenancy. All rental properties must be ‘registered’ with Rent Smart Wales

For further advice on renting out an empty property, you can contact us or see our further Landlord Pages - Information for Landlords - Conwy County Borough Council

Rent Smart Wales

Since 23^rd November 2015 all landlords in Wales are required to be registered with Rent Smart Wales. In addition if a landlord is letting or managing a property, he or she must also be licensed. For more information visit www.rentsmart.gov.wales

For more information, please contact the Housing Strategy Team: 

Email: emptyhomes@conwy.gov.uk.
Phone: 01492 574235

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