Tenancy Agreements

[offtheground]

Would anyone on here have an tenancy agreement template for a property in Northern Ireland - or know where I could download one? I've tried searching the web, but can only see agreements for England.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Ulick]

This is the one I use. Just delete the NIHE logo.

www.nihe.gov.uk/model_tenancy_agreement.doc

[offtheground]

Thanks Ulick - Just the job. prob not worth the paper it's printed on, but Insurance company have mentioned having one, so need to get one signed.

[Ulick]

They're not legally binding as far as I know, but useful so everyone knows where they stand.

[NAG1]

What would be the standard procedure in a Renting agreement for refurbishment costs, i.e. painting house internally or putting down new carpets? Who would fit the bill for this type of work?

[Ulick]

Depends on the state of the carpets when the house is leased. You have to expect normal wear and tear though I have charged for cleaning them in the past when the tenants were smokers. If they were in a good condition and have been burnt or otherwise destroyed you could charge them, but if just dirt and stains you'd be a bollocks to do so. Similarly for painting inside - depends on the condition when leased. In my house, I have all the walls painted in the same B&Q magnolia. When cleaning between tenants, I go over all of the worn and heavy use areas again (hallway walls, above kitchen worktops, beside switches etc) with the same paint on a roller. The paint will dry in the same shade as rest so you don't need to do complete walls. Along with using a £20 hired 'Rug Doctor' for carpets and deep clean of bathroom and kitchen, the whole house comes up fresh and and new. Tenants appreciate you making the effort and they get the impression of moving into a "turnkey" property. Every time I advertise, I get about a dozen viewings in the first few days and will normally two thirds of those want to take it. In general though if you want to get a good tenant you as landlord need to keep the property in good condition with modern fittings. You provide initially and they maintain would be my principle. So if you have painted the house and put down new carpets then there is a reasonable expectation they will be kept in good order, otherwise it comes from the deposit (keep receipts of your expenditure and send it to them if there are any disagreements). 

[Dougal Maguire]

It all depends on what rental agreement you draw up with your tenant. In general anything that you provide as a landlord should be in a good state of repair or a good condition. If you do a google search under private tenancies order 2006 you should get some advice there. The following is also helpful:

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/landlord-and-tenant-obligations

[Armaghgeddon]

Get pictures of the flat, show them to tennants and get the to sign a contract showing the state of the house. Ask for a deposit up front and also get a guarantor.