In the fast-paced rental market, the expectations of renters have changed dramatically over the years. Whether it is advertising or looking for a property, traditional methods are no longer preferred. They even desire virtual tours of properties from a remote location and digital signatures for their rental agreements. Yes, today’s generation is tech-savvy, and so are the renters. They want convenience by leveraging digital tools. So, if you are a landlord still sticking to traditional ways of preparing rental agreements, it is time to change yourself. Digital signatures are here to stay and steadily transforming the rental market. 

There is a widespread misconception among landlords that a digital signature is merely a scanned signature. In reality, it is a tamper-proof signature in an electronic form which is now considered legally valid as per the Electronic Communication Act (ECA) of 2000. Just like a handwritten signature, a digital signature is also now legally recognized in the United Kingdom. Read this blog and know how it is leading the transformation in the rental space across the globe. 

## Benefits Offered by Digital Signatures


### Here are the benefits that are offered by digital signatures and are thus paving the way for transformation in the rental market. 


## ​Saves Time and Eliminate Delays


Tenants are no longer interested in waiting for their rental agreements to be sent by post, signing them and then sending them back to their landlords. This could take several days, and they don’t have the patience to bear such unnecessary delays. As prospective tenants, they believe in acting quickly on their decision, and digital signatures offer them this convenience by saving time. Now they expect their landlords to send them the rental agreements online, which they sign digitally and the deal is done! If you are a landlord with several rental properties, leveraging the power of digital signature means saving your precious time. 

## Reduces Chances of Forgery


While one can copy a handwritten signature, advanced encryption of digital signatures reduces any chances of fraud. Moreover, if digital signatures are facilitated by reputable rental property management platforms, there is a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) that involves a public key and a private key. So, once signed, it is not possible to alter them at any cost and even if despite such measures, someone manages to tamper them, they will be considered invalid. Remember, details such as, who has signed, at which time and place are diligently recorded. 

## Aligns with Gen Z sustainable living


Many renters, especially Gen Z are now eco-friendly and prioritize sustainable living. When you are using paper-based rental agreements, you are not aligning with their life goals. However, by using digital signatures on [online rental agreements](https://www.rentoncloud.com/feature/create-rent-agreement-sign-digitally), you are not only cutting the cost of paper or printer toner and reducing your carbon footprint but you also supporting their eco-driven practices. Remember, in urban areas, where rental agreements are frequent due to high tenant turnover; these digital signatures significantly reduce waste.

## Simplifies the Process of Renewal and Amendments


Gone are the days when renewing or amending an existing rental agreement was considered tedious and time-consuming. There is now no need for in-person meetings or any physical paperwork. As a landlord, you need to only send the updated, renewed or amended document to your renter digitally via a secured rental platform. Next, your renter or tenant will review the same and sign it using a digital signature tool like DocuSign or Adobe Acrobat, whichever is available over the rental platform. Thus, the entire process of renewal and amendment is simplified with a digital signature and can be completed within a few hours.  

In a rapidly changing rental space, you need to stay ahead by embracing changes, and digital signature is one such change that you must embrace to make your job easier. Start your digital journey today with [RentOnCloud](https://www.rentoncloud.com/), a well-known rental property management software and experience the difference yourself. By switching to digital signatures, you are not only improving your operational efficiency but also positioning yourself as a forward-thinking landlord who prioritizes convenience and professionalism. 



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Digital signatures are here to stay and steadily transforming the rental market. 

How Digital Signatures Are Transforming the Rental World

Are you a landlord with multiple rental properties? If yes, you may already know how tough it is to manage all of them, especially when the rental properties are geographically distant. So, many landlords are looking for a feasible solution, and the solution lies in remote rental property management! 

In today’s digital world, when remote work has become a norm in many offices, managing rental properties from the comfort of your home is no surprise. After all, now there are digital tools for automatic rent collection, tenant screening, generation of tenancy or lease agreements, property maintenance, and much more! 

However, remote rental property management has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. So let’s have a look.

## Advantages

**Saves valuable money**

With remote property management, you do not need to own physical office space or maintain an on-site staff. Maintaining on-site staff means a lot of expenses on salaries, staff training, office supplies, equipment such as computers, printers, cabinets, phones, CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, repair tools, and more! Thus, transitioning to remote rental property management eliminates many of these expenses. 

Also, you don’t have to bear any travel expenses, leading to significant savings on operational costs associated with maintaining an office and travelling for property management. In the long run, these cost savings lead to profitability, which you can use to invest in property improvements. 

**Offers work-life balance**

Now, you can have the much-needed flexibility and convenience you have always desired as a landlord. Remote property management is also apt for those who travel frequently or have no time to visit their rental properties. In short, they can now offer a better work-life balance. Even while on vacation, managing your rental properties will be easy. 

Remember, you now have more time to invest in leisure activities or other important tasks that you used to overlook earlier because of work-related stress. Also, you will now have more time on your hands to spend with your family and loved ones.
 
 
**Streamlined Communication**

While remote work is challenging, it also helps to streamline communication with the help of digital tools. As a landlord, now you can eliminate the confusion of scrambling your mailbox, in-person meetings or phone calls. With so many rental property management platforms, you can have all the tenant communication in one place. 


**Better tenant relationship**
 

Your tenants can have a fair share of problems, such as a leaking pipe or overflowing bathtubs. In the absence of any centralized system, which they can use to quickly reach out to you to request you fix the problem, dissatisfaction can grow. If not resolved quickly, such unresolved issues may compel them to leave your property. 

On the contrary, managing your rental property remotely means you have your digital tools or platforms in the right place for prompt response and quick problem resolution. In short, establishing an effective communication system with your tenants will lead to better tenant relationships.

## Disadvantages 

Remote management can sometimes lack the personal touch that existed in face-to-face interactions. It is crucial to establish a reliable relationship with your tenants and address their concerns. However, this does not happen as desired when everything is done remotely.

As a remote landlord, you may experience challenges in legal compliance and risk management because the regulations for rental properties may vary vastly from one city to another or even from one municipality to another municipality. Also, without any on-site inspection, you would not know about potential hazards like neglected repairs, which may cause a problem in effective risk management. 

So, if you are considering transitioning to remote property management, it is important to choose the right software. This is a significant step to kick-start your journey as a remote landlord. Today, the market is flooded with countless digital tools and online property management platforms that aid you in managing your rental properties remotely. 

Based in the UK, RentonCloud is one such cloud-based property management platform powered by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. With Rentoncloud, you can have tools for bookkeeping, [rental agreement](https://www.rentoncloud.com/feature/create-rent-agreement-sign-digitally) generation, automatic rent collection, and tenant screening. The easy-to-use platform also enables you to establish easy communication with tenants for quick resolution of their problems and a handyman for facilitating repairs whenever needed. Meanwhile, the platform can be accessed from any device at any time! 


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After all, now there are digital tools for automatic rent collection, tenant screening, generation of tenancy or lease agreements, property maintenance, and much more! 

Remote Rental Property Management – Advantages & Disadvantages

Remote Rental Property Management Advantages & Disadvantages

Are you a landlord handling multiple rental properties in the United Kingdom? If so, consider yourself a lucky one! You might have tenants who pay their rent on time or cause fewer nuisances. Believe it or not, good tenants are like pure gems. They not only offer a steady income but also keep your property in good condition. As a result, your properties will demand less maintenance and yield more profits! So it is your responsibility to put some genuine effort into keeping them happy and satisfied throughout their stay. In such a scenario, explore some long-term tenant retention tips you can try as a landlord.
 
## Create an inviting space

Keep your property well-maintained. Moreover, don’t hesitate to invest some of your hard-earned money into providing amenities like gym equipment or a washing machine. Think of adding some low-maintenance flowering plants in the outdoor space to make it appealing to your tenants. Also, paint the walls so that your property looks inviting. Make sure to show your tenants that you care for their comfort. 

## Communicate effectively 

Effective communication is important to build trust in any relationship. So, the relationship between a tenant and landlord is no exception. When your tenants are sure they can approach you for any problem or voice their concerns, they are more likely to stay. So, tell them to reach out to you via text, mail or phone. You can also use an online property management platform. It will eliminate the need for multiple communication channels and, of course, any miscommunication. 

## Respect privacy 

While it’s true that effective communication is significant, respecting your tenants’ privacy is equally important.  Do not enter their space without giving them any notice. Always be mindful of their personal space. Consider this as their fundamental need. Remember, this can go a long way in strengthening a positive landlord-tenant relationship.

## Address concerns quickly 

One of the golden rules of keeping your tenants satisfied is addressing their concerns as quickly as possible. Pay utmost attention whenever your tenant complains about a noisy neighbour or raises an issue of a leaking tap or anything else. Even if it seems insignificant, be proactive in addressing it.  This will help prevent tenant frustration and maintain a positive living environment. 

## Be friendly

Building good rapport with your tenants is the key to create a long-lasting relationship. This goes beyond being professional and respectful. This will also help them to feel more comfortable to approach you with their concerns, problems or feedbacks.  Even your simple gesture of greeting them warmly and inviting them to your home on special occasions like an Easter or Christmas party can help to build a friendly rapport.

## Be flexible

For tenant retention, flexibility is a deciding factor. So, be flexible if your tenant wants a longer lease period or wants to make a minor change in the décor. Instead of rejecting their requests outright, take time to think about them. Maybe their requests are reasonable and if they aren't, try to reach a solution agreeable to both of you. Your little flexibility will make them feel valued. 

## Stay informed about market trends

This will help you to anticipate your tenant’s needs. You can understand what steps you can take to make them feel happy and satisfied. Today, many tenants value sustainability and they will really appreciate if your install energy efficient appliances or may be a solar panel on the roof. If you are adaptive to the market trends, you will be more respected as a landlord and your tenants will love to stay longer.
 
In a nutshell, tenant retention requires a lot of effort and commitment. You can also chose to use a [cloud-based property management platform](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) to offer your tenants the convenience of online rental payment and instant messaging so that you can deal with their concerns promptly. Follow these long-term tenant retention tips and enjoy a steady rental income. Remember, this is a smart business strategy that will pay off in the long run. Following these tips will ensure that your rental properties are not just spaces where people live, but what they love to call them as home.

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It is landlord's responsibility to put some genuine effort into keeping them happy and satisfied throughout their stay. In such a scenario, explore some long-term tenant retention tips you can try as a landlord.

Long Term Tenant Retention Tips for Landlords

Imagine you are a landlord eagerly looking for a tenant. Now, after going through several applications, you finally come across someone with a good credit history and a steady source of income. Excitedly, you think your search is over, but after handing over the keys, you discover his darker side. Now what can you do? You can only make efforts to make them comply with your rules, but if this proves futile, you will be left with the only option of a costly eviction process as such a tenant might not leave voluntarily even after getting a notice. To avoid such unpleasant situations, tenant screening is important. Without a comprehensive tenant screening process, chances are high that you will get deceived each time.  Find a reliable tenant for your rental property so that you can remain stress-free. Safeguard your rental property by adopting the best tenant screening practices.

## Use a reliable screening platform


When everything is going digital, there is no reason to not embrace technology for screening your potential tenants. Several cloud-based tenant screening platforms now perform instant background checks to empower you with vital information to choose the best tenant for your rental property. Most of these tenant screening platforms are designed to ensure compliance with legal regulations and fair housing laws, which further reduces the risk of any discrimination claims and helps in making a decision. Moreover, by leveraging technology for your tenant screening process, you can save valuable time.

## Review all applications

A quick glance through the tenant applications is not going to help you. Instead, carefully review each of the applications while keeping a look for any inconsistencies or red flags. These can be gaps in employment, previous history of evictions or frequent change of address. One of the best things to ensure consistency and transparency in reviewing all the applications is to use a point system, where you can assign points to each criterion based on their importance and relevance to your rental decision. For example, assign more points to criteria like stable income and good credit score and fewer points to criteria like pet ownership, personal preferences, etc. The use of a point system will help you to easily compare all applications and prioritise only those who meet all the qualifying criteria that you can set yourself.

 
## Evaluate the credit history

 
You already know that choosing a tenant with financial stability means you will not have to bear a tenant who consistently delays your monthly rent payments. So, do not hesitate to request credit reports from all of them and evaluate their credit history by carefully reviewing their credit scores, examining their payment history, and so on. Yes, this is a daunting task, but you need to do this to avoid any potential payment issues. Look at their credit score, debt repayment history and defaults (if any).

 
## Verify employment

 
Employment verification ensures that a tenant will make timely rent payments without any excuses. So, verify employment either by requesting an employment verification letter or using third-party employment verification services. The second option is a bit costly for many landlords. So you can stick to the first one but can also search the contact address of their current employer over the web. Nowadays, most companies have a website or social media accounts where you can easily find their address and contact numbers.

 
## Check rental history


Usually, past behaviour is an indicator of future actions. So, checking the rental history of your potential tenants is vital. Contact their previous landlords and gather valuable insights into their rental history. You can ask about their habits related to property upkeeping or late payments or whether they left behind any damage to their property. Also, enquire about any past incidents where the tenant has exhibited any violent behaviour. Remember, such behaviour can pose a risk to the safety of your other tenants sharing the same rental property. Make sure you are talking to their actual landlords and not their friends or relatives posing as landlords. Sometimes, this happens as tenants evicted by landlords often resort to such tactics to fool their potential landlord.

Also, never discriminate against applicants because of their race, gender or ethnic identity during the screening process. Make it a habit of treating them fairly to foster a positive rental experience and a transparent screening process.

Lastly, if following these screening practices seems time-consuming, don't worry. Register at an online tenant screening platform that you can access anytime from anywhere and remain stress-free as a landlord. Our RentonCloud is a [cloud-based tenant screening platform](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) that flawlessly conducts a thorough tenant screening driven by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. With its integrated database of credit rating agencies and third-party partners specialized in identity, KYC & AML checks, you will find a trustworthy tenant in minimal time. 


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Safeguard your rental property by adopting the best tenant screening practices. Read on to know the best practices for tenant screening.

Best Practices for Tenant Screening

The landlord property management sector in England underwent a major transformation with the introduction of the [Renters Reform Bill](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renters-reform-bill) on May 17th, 2023. This legislation established a single, government-approved ‘Private Rented Sector Ombudsman’ to provide “fair, impartial, & binding resolutions” for tenant complaints. Designed to be faster and less confrontational than court proceedings, this new system applies to most, but not all, private landlords in England.

1. The PRSO currently applies to landlords who are registered businesses or letting agents.-
2. Landlords who are individual private owners are not obligated to use the PRSO scheme but are still bound by relevant tenancy legislation.

In these cases, both tenants and landlords can seek guidance from their local council or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for alternative dispute resolution procedures.

## The Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code

To complement this system and ensure a more efficient complaint-resolution process for tenants, the Housing Ombudsman (HO) has introduced the [Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code](https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2.Complaint-Handling-Code-2024.pdf). Effective April 1st, 2024, this mandatory code outlines a clear framework for all landlords (including individual owners) to address tenant complaints efficiently and fairly.

### The HO’s complaint handling code outlines these key elements of effective complaint handling for landlords:

**Accessibility-** Provide multiple complaint channels (phone/email/online, etc.) for easy tenant access.

**Transparency-** Maintain a clear complaints policy outlining stages, procedures, & timeframes. Make the policy readily available to tenants.

**Timeliness-** Landlords are required to respond to complaints within 10 working days.
**Communication-**Deliver clear, easy-to-understand responses, explaining decisions when necessary.

**Confidentiality-** Handle all complaints confidentially.
**Equality-**Offer equal access to the complaints process for all tenants, with reasonable adjustments for disabilities.
**Fairness-**Train staff to recognize complaints and handle them impartially.

**Appeals-** Establish a clear appeals process and provide valid reasons for refusing escalation.

**Record-Keeping-** Maintain detailed records of all complaints and related communication.

## Complaint Process: How to Handle Noise Complaints from Tenants?

#### The following example focuses on noise complaints, but the general process applies to all types of tenant concerns. Here’s a breakdown:

- Inform tenants of their right to contact their local council, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, or the Housing Ombudsman throughout the process of receiving the complaint. 
- Assign a dedicated person or team to handle the complaint.
- Maintain clear communication. Acknowledge complaints within 2 days and keep tenants informed about time frames and escalation options.
- Seek agreement from tenants when resolving concerns. Document all agreements/disagreements.

## How to Respond to Complaints?

Acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 2 working days (via email or letter). Investigate the complaint thoroughly, which may involve consulting experts, examining the property, or reviewing maintenance records. After the investigation, draft a formal response that includes:

- Acknowledgement of the complaint, including the date it was received.
- Summary of the issue(s) raised by the tenant.
- Final decision: “complaint upheld,” “complaint partially-upheld,” or “complaint not upheld.” 
- Clear justifications for the decision reached (refer to relevant legislation or tenancy agreement clauses).
- Explanation of the Stage Two appeal process (if applicable).
- Maintain detailed records of all complaint-related communications with the tenant. 

**Remedy**

If the complaint is upheld or partially upheld, clearly outline the specific remedy offered to address the tenant’s concerns. This could involve compensation, repairs, or other corrective actions. The remedy should be proportionate to the severity of the issue and it should detail all the specific actions that need to be taken by the landlord:

- Descriptions of the action/s to be undertaken.
- The parties responsible for carrying out the actions.
- A realistic time frame for completion of each action.

**Stage 2 Appeal**

If the tenant is unsatisfied with the response, explain the Stage Two appeal process (e.g., via email or form). A different professional within the landlord's organization should review this appeal to ensure impartiality. After a thorough review, the landlord should respond to the appeal within 20 working days, following the same structure as the Stage One response, outlining:

*Complaint Definition (as potentially refined during the appeal)*

- Decision on the Appeal (upholding, partially-upholding, or rejecting the appeal)
- Reasons for the Appeal Decision (with clear justifications)
- Offered Remedy (if applicable) and Outstanding Actions (if applicable, with timelines)
- Escalation to the Housing Ombudsman (if this is the final stage within the landlord’s internal process)

If the tenant remains dissatisfied after the Stage 2 appeal response, they have the right to escalate the complaint to the Housing Ombudsman Service. From then on, the HO will investigate the complaint and make a binding ruling. 

For additional resources on this topic, consider exploring landlord property management tools like [RentOnCloud](https://www.rentoncloud.com/). RentOnCloud’s dashboard acts as a one-stop shop for all communication related to tenant complaints. 

When tenants submit “Fix It” or “Raise a Task” requests on their accounts, they appear as designated tasks on the landlord’s dashboard. This eliminates the need for juggling multiple communication channels, minimizes the risk of miscommunication or missed deadlines, and ensures all relevant information is documented & readily accessible/ trackable






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Many landlords get frustrated to deal with the tenant complaints. But they can easily avoid this by deploying proactive strategies. Read on to know how to deal with the tenant complains.

How to Deal with Tenant Complaints?

The introduction of the new “Restructuring Plan” in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA) has changed the way financially struggling companies navigate insolvency proceedings. While this plan aims to give struggling businesses a better chance to restructure their debts and operations and avoid liquidation, it presents unique challenges and potential disadvantages for landlords, who are often major creditors in these situations. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the various ways the new Restructuring Plan in insolvency affects landlords.

**Key Changes and Why They Matter to Landlords**


In the past, landlords often held significant influence over company restructurings. Their large claims under leases gave them substantial voting power in procedures like Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs).  With the new provisions of the CIGA 2020, this power has been severely diminished. Now, if landlords overwhelmingly reject a plan, the court can still forcefully approve it through a legal doctrine called “cross-class cramdown,” if at least one other creditor class votes in favour. 

### Here's how this doctrine is applied in a typical insolvency hearing:

Creditors are categorized into different classes based on shared characteristics or economic interests in the company. Each class votes on the proposed Restructuring Plan.

Unlike in Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), a minimum approval threshold is not mandated; but, the plan itself might specify a required approval percentage within each class.

**Critically, if at least one class approves the plan, the court can still impose it on dissenting classes (including landlords) under two specific conditions:**

No Worse-Off: The dissenting class (landlords) must be no worse off financially under the plan than they would be in a liquidation scenario.

Fair & Equitable: The plan must be deemed “fair & equitable” to all creditors, ensuring a reasonable distribution of future income and remaining assets.

As you can see, the cross-class cramdown doctrine has significantly reduced landlords’ leverage in the negotiation process. Once a court approves a Restructuring Plan, it becomes binding on everyone, including dissenting landlords. Landlords also have limited ability to pursue further action against their tenant/s to recover debts outside of what the plan dictates.

They can no longer take the actions they’d normally take to recover debts, even if it means they can’t get all their rent arrears back. Restructuring Plans can also modify terms like lease length or rental payment amounts. Landlords may be stuck with changes they consider unfavourable, with little-to-no recourse.

#### What Can Landlords Do?

The new provisions of the CIGA 2020 may have thrown many challenges down the paths of landlords. But, they aren’t totally powerless. Here are some key strategies landlords can adopt to protect their interests:

*Precautionary Measures*

>Landlords must revisit their existing lease agreements and identify clauses that might strengthen their position in the event of tenant insolvency. The clauses that could be helpful include:

- Forfeiture clauses that enable landlords to terminate leases and reclaim properties if tenants breach certain terms, including not paying rent on time.
- Preferential payment clauses that give landlords priority over other unsecured creditors in claiming outstanding rent.
- Strategic Objections

Even though their votes or objections might not guarantee plan approval, landlords can still benefit from voicing strategic objections during the voting process. For example, if a company tries to enforce a restructuring plan through cramdown at a court hearing, landlords can and must present a well-supported case to the court explaining why the plan is unfair or fails to meet the “no worse off” test. Seeking legal advice from a qualified insolvency lawyer is, of course, crucial before making such a case.

*Landlord Software Help*

[Property management software for landlords](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) can be an invaluable asset during insolvency hearings. The best property management software tools for landlords can accurately track rental payments with clear dashboards. Spotting late payments, arrears, and other trends that typically indicate financial trouble for tenants, becomes much easier with these tools. These tools can give landlords early warnings regarding their tenants’ financial discrepancies and they can take better proactive measures.

Plus, rental software tools for landlords also serve as helpful document management systems. They store and track all communication with tenants and give landlords centralized access to important lease agreements and other property-related documents. Landlords can swiftly retrieve key clauses like termination rights or forfeiture provisions, along with past emails and agreements with tenants, via these tools. Such easy and direct access to important information can drastically strengthen their position during insolvency hearings.

That’s why many forward-thinking landlords use RentOnCloud, the UK's first cloud-based platform for streamlining all aspects of property management. This rental software tracks income and expenses effortlessly, generates reports with a few clicks, and stores all lease agreements, communication records, and other crucial documents in one centralized location for swift and secure access. By embracing the innovative solutions offered by RentOnCloud, landlords can navigate the complexities of insolvency hearings with confidence and optimize their overall property management journeys.



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How New Restructuring Plan in Insolvency Affects Landlords?

As tenants when we spot the ideal property to reside in, we do not want to miss out on it. Often a lot of us get rejected by landlords from the chance of renting a premier property we desire. There can be manifold reasons that can become barriers between you and your dream rental. It is critical to understand some essential factors that can enhance your probability of winning over your envisioned rental property. The rental property market in the UK is quite competitive. It can not only prove costly in monetary terms to rent a good property, but also demand some added efforts. If you want to lease an attractive property, you need to put forth your A-game.  

After conversing with many landlords and rental agents, we have listed some resourceful tips to help tenants ace the hearts of potential landlords.

## 1. Prepare an appropriate rental resume
A rental resume has become a must-have for prospective tenants seeking to land a lucrative property in Britain. Particularly, in the suburbs of the UK, most tenants create a rental resume embellished with various desirable aspects that landlords often seek. Your rental resume must cover details about your education, employment, earnings, and past rental history. You can also add the contact information of people ready to offer a reference. If you have a rental resume, you can expedite the selection process by forwarding your resume immediately post the property inspection.  
	
## 2. Create a solid first impression
Once you have forwarded your rental resume and the property owner has shortlisted you for an interaction, you must brace yourself to create an outstanding perception. Dress sharply and reach the landlord’s place on time. You can also use time-tested pleasing techniques like complimenting the landlord and investing efforts to make an engaging conversation. You can also research about things that the landlord might like to talk about before your first meeting. Such methods can help you make a lasting impact on the landlord.    

## 3. Make sure you have the required financial standing
It is best to ascertain from the onset the monetary obligations that you will have to bear if you are selected as the tenant for a given property. Then, you have to evaluate your financial position and determine whether you can afford the required rent and deposit sum. You should have the necessary amount of money on hand if you are in talks with the landlord to lease their place. Show the landlord that you have the financial stability to pay rent on time each month by providing proof of income and employment. Time is of essence in the aggressive rental property market, and you cannot expect landlords to give you extra time to meet your rental obligations. 

## 4. Showcase honesty
Landlords always prefer tenants who are upfront about all crucial information such as their employment details and credit history. Nobody likes to find out about such integral aspects from a third party and feel betrayed. Hence, you must remain as honest as possible about your personal background and financial position. If you feel that the terms of the rental agreement are not fair or reasonable, try to negotiate with the landlord to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Most landlords prefer to know about any issues beforehand and tend to be considerate to people who truthfully put forth their concerns.	
  
## 5. Bring some suitable landlord references
Landlord references provide much needed assurance to landlords about the eligibility of a given tenant for their property. Try to collect reliable references from your past landlords who can offer a positive prospect on your behalf. Most potential landlords are highly likely to choose tenants with trustable landlord references. 


## 6. Offer to sign a rental agreement for a longer tenure
A major chunk of landlords want a good tenant who will lease their property for the long term. The prospect of rental earnings for a prolonged period of time will be an attractive factor for anyone. In cases, where you are sure that the rental place has all the aspects that you want significantly, you can agree to [sign a lease](https://www.rentoncloud.com/feature/create-rent-agreement-sign-digitally) for more than a year or two. The landlord will be more willing to rent out his place to a tenant who brings the possibility of assured payment for an extended period. One can even consider paying some deposit and rent amount in advance to make it a better proposition for the landlord. 

## 7. Invest some extra efforts to gain an edge
Landlords like tenants who are ready to go above and beyond the ordinary to prove their eligibility. You can dedicate some additional efforts before meeting the landlord. You can take your spouse, children, and pet along with you to acquaint the landlord with your family. The landlord will also feel more comfortable when he/she meets your family in person. If the landlord has certain requirements or preferences, such as a no-pets policy, try to be flexible and willing to meet those requirements. Communicate clearly and professionally with the landlord. Avoid any confrontational or aggressive behavior, and try to resolve any issues that may arise in a calm and respectful manner. Such few ancillary measures can go a long way in increasing your chances of selection for the rental property. 

### Discover more such pivotal matters about rental property domain in the UK with RentOnCloud  
Convincing and dealing with landlords can feel like an uphill task for all tenants. When it comes to impressing your prospective landlord, you must stick to some special tactics. The tips that we have explained above can prove useful in enhancing your odds of getting selected for your aspired rental. RentonCloud is a bespoke platform that is simplifying the hassles associated with [rental property management](https://www.rentoncloud.com) for both tenants and landlords in the UK. We offer end-to-end support for both property owners and tenants and have created numerous successful rental arrangements for people across the country. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the rental property domain!


7 Tips for Tenants to win over a potential landlord

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Discover top 7 tips for tenants to impress potential landlords and secure your dream rental property. From showcasing your reliability to highlighting your positive rental history, these strategies will help you stand out as the ideal tenant.

Imagine a tenant refusing to vacate your property or having a noisy tenant who you want to immediately get rid of! Unfortunately, some unlucky landlords had to bear these scenarios every now and then across the world. In such a case, your [tenancy agreement](https://www.rentoncloud.com/feature/create-rent-agreement-sign-digitally) can play an instrumental role. 

In England and Wales, you are not legally bound to have a tenancy agreement as a landlord. You can set the tenancy terms orally, but things are different elsewhere. 

Well, it is best to have the tenancy terms informal only if you know your tenant in advance or have complete trust in him. So, if you are planning to renting your property soon or looking for rental accommodation, acquire some knowledge about the importance of tenancy agreements. 

## Reduces Potential Conflicts
 
As a tenant, do you know your options when you have paid the security deposit to your landlord, and your landlord claim to not receive the same? In such a scenario, having a tenancy agreement will help you get back your deposit without any hassles. Remember, a tenancy agreement clearly mentions the deposit amount and ways it will be protected. 

Yes, in case of intentional or unintentional damage to the property caused by you, a partial amount of the same can be deducted. Still, you can be assured of getting back the rest of the amount. A tenancy agreement is signed by both parties, so the conflict is resolved without any argument.

Again, a tenancy agreement often mentions certain dos and don’ts, like whether pets are allowed or not and the person responsible for conducting the minor repair works. With such clarity, it becomes easier for you as a tenant to know your landlord's expectations. At the end of the day, you can reduce any potential conflicts.   

## Serves As An Address Proof

Whether you are applying for a bank loan or willing to opt for a vehicle registration, you need documents, among which your address proof is essential. Your tenancy agreement qualifies as address proof. The reason is that it mentions your name, the start and end of tenancy date, and the full address of the property where you are living as a tenant. 

It also serves as valid address proof for preparing vital documents like a college identification card or driving licence. Although the documents demanded by UK banks vary from one bank to the other, a well-written tenancy agreement is a legal contract. So, it is accepted by most banks to open a bank account.  

## Protection from Illegal Eviction
 
Illegal eviction is a criminal offence, but that doesn't deter some landlords from forcing you to move out of their rental property. In such a scenario, your tenancy agreement can rescue you! Even if you are not getting any help from the police officers, you can be assured of getting justice. After all, a forceful eviction violates the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. So, the landlord must apply in court to evict you legally.

 
Having clearly drafted tenancy agreement is thus necessary for both tenants and landlords to protect their individual rights. Due to a lack of knowledge, sometimes it does not include many things to avoid misinterpretation by any of the two parties involved. 

The good news is that plenty of online property management platforms are available and offer a robust tenancy agreement within no time. Moreover, some also facilitate eSign and store the same digitally on a secured server. As a landlord, such a [property management platform](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) also helps in the free listing of your rental properties and offers a thorough screening of your potential tenants to eliminate future problems.  



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If you are planning to renting your property soon or looking for rental accommodation, acquire some knowledge about the importance of tenancy agreements. 

Why Are Tenancy Agreements Important?

Are you moving to a new house? This can be exciting and stressful. So a lot of planning is needed in advance. Remember, boxing up all your belongings is a time-consuming affair. Again if you are not well prepared, it can cost you a lot of money! Surely, you would not like to spend money unnecessarily, especially when you can use the same in decorating your new home. So, let’s have a look at some of the mind-blowing money-saving tips while moving home. So, here we go. 

## De-clutter your home

Packing all the things in boxes makes no sense when there are plenty of broken or unused items. So, create a checklist of all the items. Identify the things that you can sell, throw away, or donate. This will help to reduce the cost significantly as the more you have, the more you will likely have to pay for the house removal service. Remember, while decluttering your home, you may come across some items that can be recycled, which means more savings! 

## Organize a yard sale

Once you have decluttered your home and know the things you want to sell, organize a yard sale. You can sell anything, such as houseware, plants, books, jars, etc. Moreover, you can also sell any furniture or any electrical appliance you would like to replace with a new one! Selling unused items by organizing a yard sale means having extra cash for removal service.  

## Don’t buy removal boxes

Think about asking your friends, relatives, colleagues or neighbours who have recently moved and have some spare removal boxes. You can also get some removal boxes for free from your nearest furniture or retail store. Do not forget to check at supermarkets as they usually receive their stock in big-sized cardboard boxes and will be happy to help you before sending the rest of the boxes to some recycling centre. Try to get cardboard boxes of different sizes to have the right-sized boxes for all the things you want to pack. 

## Pack smartly

Be creative during packaging, and instead of spending your hard-earned money on purchasing removal supplies like bubble wrap rolls and paper blankets, make use of old newspapers, towels, blankets, or even old clothes. You can safely use these stuff for cushioning your fragile items from any possible damage during moving, and yes, label all your boxes carefully. 

## Consider moving yourself

Hiring the services of a removal company can be costly. So, try to look for other options, like moving with the help of your close friends. Rent a moving vehicle, and you can actually save a lot. 

## Consider the cheapest day
 
If you think moving is not your cup of tea, book a removal company but consider the cheapest day for moving home. Although the cheapest day can vary from one location to other, you can consider moving home on Sunday, as most people choose Friday or Saturday so that they can have some time to settle in before resuming their work routine. This way, you can surely save some money. Also, don’t forget to compare the quotes of several removal companies to have the best deal! 

## Consume perishable food items

Do you have fresh fruits, vegetables or some milk in your refrigerator? Do you have some bottles of pickles, cranberry juice, or anything else that can leak and spoil your packed goods? If yes, it is highly advisable to consume them before moving home. This will avoid any additional expenses caused due to spillage. 

Lastly, don’t ever forget to keep a separate box for essentials such as can openers, first-aid kits, toiletries, eating utensils, canned food, etc. This will help you to save a lot of time and effort after moving into your new home. Also, if you are moving to rented accommodation, think about saving some more money by smartly paying your rent, storing your rent agreement, and managing all the receipts via [online property management software](https://www.rentoncloud.com/). 



Money Saving Tips while Moving home at end of tenancy

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Are you moving to a new house? This can be exciting and stressful. So, let’s have a look at some of the mind-blowing money-saving tips while moving home.

Money Saving Tips While Moving Home

Are you a landlord concerned about difficult tenants? Are you worried about possible property damage or other problems with your tenants? Maybe you are overthinking, and you will never encounter these problems. Still, knowing what you must do if you experience all these can benefit you in the long run. Property management is not easy, but with knowledge and experience, you can have a smooth journey. Things can be tougher if you have multiple rental properties. So, here are some actions to take before and after renting your property. So, let's have a look.

## Before renting


 
### Following are the actions you can take even before renting out your property. 



#### Go for tenant screening

Some tenants can make your life difficult by making late payments, creating excessive noise, or worse, damaging your property. So, instead of facing these problems, opt for a thorough tenant screening. This way, you could be able to select the right tenants. Various online property management platforms offer an AI-blockchain-powered screening program to make the job easier for you. Such a program can also evaluate whether a tenant can afford the monthly rent or not? Such a piece of information could help you immensely to avoid problems of late rental payments. 

 
#### Make a list of your inventory

Start with making a detailed list of all the items in your rental property. This will be especially helpful if your property is well-furnished. It would be best to take photos of each room of your rental property from different angles. This move will help you evaluate the extent of damage in a worst-case scenario. 

 
#### Make a legally sound agreement

Your tenancy agreement is the document that can protect your interest as a landlord. So, it must be legally sound. It must include all the necessary details, such as the rental price, payment mode, security amount, property address, etc. Also, the start and end date of the tenancy, whether or not it is possible to do early tenancy termination or the person responsible for conducting small repair works (if any), and so on. 

## After renting



### Following are the actions that you must take after renting out your property.


#### Maintain effective communication

Having clear communication can resolve many problems. So convey your expectations clearly and try to be a good listener. If your tenant is not paying the rent on time, immediately call to ask the reason and then follow up. If you do not take action, your tenant will think that it is easy to stay without paying the rent month after month. Make sure to communicate via mail about late payments to have some written record as proof. If you are tired of reminding them repeatedly, convey that he must be ready to risk an early eviction. Establishing clear boundaries, such as a policy of no pets or no nails on the walls, can prove helpful for avoiding unpleasant experiences due to difficult tenants. 

 
#### Conduct routine inspections

Even if everything is going smoothly, you must make a rule of conducting routine inspections of your rental property. This can be twice a year or more, depending on whether you fear any potential property damage or not. The move will help you to resolve the maintenance issues before things go out of hand. For more clarity, you can compare the before and after photographs to evaluate the damage (if any). 

Lastly, if eviction seems the only option, go for the same and once again have complete control of your property. Moreover, it is best to have an [online property management platform](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) that you can access anytime! With the help of such a platform, you could learn to come out strong as a landlord. 



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Things can be tougher if you have multiple rental properties. So, here are some actions to take before and after renting your property.

Concerned About Problems with Tenants - What To Do?

Do you know that the global property management software market size may reach $2.70 billion by the end of 2030? Well, the residential segment is fuelling this growth, and landlords are fully aware of this development. Moreover, among these software programs, cloud-based platforms are enjoying dominance in the market (market share-61.13 %) as in such a case, there is no cost of installation and affordability. 

So, if you are a landlord and looking for property management software to increase your ROI, it is high time that you know the numerous ways; these platforms are making things easier for landlords and tenants.  

## Benefits for Landlords

- Attractive listing of your rental properties on its online platform. Such platforms also facilitate listing on popular property listing websites like Zoopla, Rightmove, Primelocation, and Gumtree.
- Thorough background check for selecting the right renters via trusted screening programs. It is vital to remember that poor quality tenants can make your life hell by late rental payments, causing intentional or unintentional damage to your property, creating excessive noise, and in the worst case having a criminal record! It also gives information about whether your rental applicants are in debt or not to have a brief understanding of their current financial situation. A thorough tenant screening can also save you from any legal issues(if any). 
- Easy access to powerful tools for creating rental agreements, bookkeeping, and automatic collection of rent. Some property management platforms also offer tools for easy chatting with your tenants and hassle-free maintenance of your property. 

## Benefits for Tenants

- Easy property search and quick application for rent with confidence 
- Seamless tracking of rental payments and safe storage of rent agreement
- Availability of smart tools for quick screening of landlords to help in making an informed decision
- Facility to set up a wishlist to find a property as a tenant 
- Tools for easy management of rental payments 
- Setting up a direct debit system if the landlord's preference is an online payment 
- Monthly update of the rental invoice for keeping track of invoices
- Easy communication with the landlord without revealing phone number or email address
- Notifications about due rentals, repair requests, rent agreement renewal requests, etc. 
- Facilitates communication with a handyman for quick repairs

Thus, property management platforms are advantageous for landlords like you and rental applicants. Built by a UK-based company, RentOnCloud is a similar [property management platform](https://www.rentoncloud.com/) that is user-friendly. The cloud-based platform uses blockchain–powered Zypass screening to ensure accurate background checks in a few seconds. It also helps you to go paperless with its built-in digital sign tool that empowers your tenant to sign the rent agreements digitally from any device.



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If you are a landlord and looking for property management software to increase your ROI, it is high time that you know the numerous ways; these platforms are making things easier for landlords and tenants.  

How Property Management Platforms Are Making Things Easier For Landlords & Tenants

There exists incredible opportunities to yield high rental incomes for landlords within the United Kingdom. However, one would not want huge tax rates to chew off considerable portions of the fruits of their rental property investments. There are many buy-to-let allowable expenses that you might not know but can claim to scale down your tax outflows. 

## Five fantastic tax saving tips for landlord’s earning income from rental property!

The taxation domain can be befuddling for many, but some wise recommendations from experts are surely worth a try. Due management of our rental accounts and landlord costs can go a long way in optimising our tax obligations. If you are a landlord seeking handy ways to lower your taxes, we have the top 5 ways to reduce your tax liabilities. 

## 1) Avail of all rental income deductible expenses

As property owners, there are various spendings that make up buy-to-let allowable expenses and help lower our landlord costs in the form of taxes. You must not miss out on claiming deductible expenses that you incur during a given tax period to dilute the impact of income tax. It is critical to note that only those outlays that are entirely and exclusively attributable to the buy-to-let property are eligible for deduction in the rental accounts.

***The most common buy-to-let allowable expenses that landlords can claim encompass the following:***

- Rental management agent fees
- Legal and accounting charges
- Landlord insurance costs
- Property advertising expenses 
- Property repairs, cleaning, and maintenance charges incurred
- Ground rent and council taxes 
- Administrative landlord costs
- Labour cost for employees or contractors hired for services like cleaning or plumbing


Landlords should also be wary of the spends that they undertake during the initial acquisition of the rental property. Only revenue expenditures qualify for deduction from gross rental income. Thus, the costs connected to the purchase of the buy-to-let cannot be adjusted against any eventual rental income. Such expenses include legal charges, stamp duty, and building survey fees. These expenditures are summed together with the purchase price.

Similarly, the landlord costs related to renovation of the rental property, that are capital expenses by nature, cannot be deducted as regular costs against the buy-to-let earnings.  

## 2) Acquire rental property in a joint ownership

Given the skyrocketing prices of real estate properties, making a buy-to-let purchase singlehandely can be strenuous for many.  You can elect to invest in a rental property along with another individual as a partner. It will help you share the burden of a lot of landlord costs along with the applicable taxes. Under a joint ownership, there is a possibility to allocate the rental earnings proportionately in accordance to a predefined sharing ratio. Thus, partners can also plan to distribute their rental income in a manner beneficial from the tax saving perspective. 

## 3) Leverage your buy-to-let property mortgage

Borrowing a loan does comes with the perks of offsetting your tax liabilities. The income tax regulations permit taxpayers in the UK to claim the amount of interest related to the buy-to-let mortgage as a deduction. One is qualifiable to deduct interest on loans for purchase of property as well as undertaking renovations or improvements in the buy-to-let. It is necessary to understand that the interest deduction is available for corporate deductions and not for those engaged in the financing business.  

	
## 4) Establish a limited company

If considering your overall personal income you fall in the high tax bracket, you can contemplate setting up a limited company to handle your rental properties. It is a great tactic to tax your income as per corporate tax rates than the individual tax rates if your overall income is large. It is important to note that the rental property shall be held in the name of the company you incorporate. You can draw a defined payment as salary from the company for your individual needs. Maintaining the compliances of a limited company can be tricky. Hence, you should make an informed decision about setting up a limited company after weighing the landlord costs involved in comparison to the overall earnings.

## 5) Make the most of all available tax bands and carry forward losses if any

According to the income tax laws in the UK, your rental income is taxable after summation with other incomes as per the applicable tax band. You need to your other income along with your rental earnings and deduct eligible expenses to find your taxable income. If you have a partner whose overall income falls in a lower tax band, you can transfer the property in the name of your spouse. You must also ensure that you maintain utmost accuracy while calculating your buy-to-let allowable expenses and losses that are permissible to be brought forward and adjusted against your current income as well as those losses that can be carried forward to the succeeding year. 

### Bottom Line

There are various ways for landlords in the UK to optimize their taxes on rental receipts. Depending on your personal circumstances and available resources, you can make use of the relevant strategies. It is essential to go for tax planning well in advance to adopt useful strategies. You can consult [property tax professionals](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivsinghcoreadviz/) to manage your rental accounts and regulate your relevant tax liabilities. Stay tuned for more such resourceful information!






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If you are a landlord seeking handy ways to lower your taxes, we have the top 5 ways to reduce your tax liabilities. 

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