Things to Consider Before Becoming a Private Landlord

Are you considering becoming a private landlord? If so, it’s important to understand what the job entails. It’s good to ask yourself some key questions before committing to this career path.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is why you want to become a landlord. Making money is the most obvious reason, but if that’s your only motivation, then maybe you should consider other investment options.

To be a successful private landlord, you need to enjoy interacting with your tenants and providing them with a comfortable place to live. You also need to enjoy being involved in the property and real estate market on a daily basis.

What Should You Consider Before Becoming a Private Landlord?

If you’re thinking about becoming a private landlord, there are some things you should consider before jumping in. Consider the following factors as you embark on your journey. 

Commitment

Becoming a private landlord is not for the faint of heart. You will need to dedicate time to marketing the property, manage your tenants, and handle all the issues that come with being a landlord. 

If you are working full time, you may want to consider hiring an agent to help manage property concerns and make it easier for you to focus on other aspects of your life.

Time

You’ll have to be available when things go wrong, such as boilers breaking, toilets overflowing, or other problems on the property. By law, you must fix these within a reasonable amount of time, and having someone dedicated to fixing the problems is important. This person could be you or an agent.

Cost to Get Started

You should also consider the cost of being a private landlord. There are many expenses associated with managing property, including mortgage payments, maintenance costs, gas and electricity bills for the property, and legal fees. These costs should all be taken into consideration when deciding whether becoming a private landlord is right for you.

Inspections and Licensing

One of the first things you’ll need to do when considering becoming a private landlord is to make sure that your home meets local code requirements for rental properties. Failing to do so can result in fines or other penalties for violations. 

Once your home has been inspected and approved for renting, you should be issued with a license that allows you to rent it out as long as it continues to meet the standards set forth by your local government.

Tenant Law

As soon as you rent out your property, you will become subject to certain laws that protect both tenants and landlords. Chief among these is the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act states that landlords can’t discriminate against potential tenants based on the following:

• Race
• Sex
• Religion
• Familial status
• Origin of nationality
• Disability

There are legal protections for renters and landlords. If you have no previous experience renting properties, it’s worth taking a course or reading up on everything you need to know before signing any agreements.

Taxes

If you’re considering becoming a private landlord, you’ll need to be aware of the tax implications. Income from rental properties is taxable, but there are various allowances and deductions available to offset your tax bill.

The first thing to do is to speak to an accountant or tax adviser with experience in this area. As a private landlord, you will have to follow the rules for amateur landlords, which means you can’t claim certain expenses that professional landlords can. It’s important to know what you can and can’t do before you start.

Additional taxes that come into play when you’re renting property as a private landlord include income tax and capital gains tax. The tax rates that apply depend on your individual circumstances.

Getting Ready to Become a Private Landlord

There are many benefits to becoming a private landlord, including a steady stream of income and the opportunity to build wealth through real estate. But there can be drawbacks as well, such as the time and effort required to manage properties and tenants. Before jumping into the world of being a landlord, it’s important to consider all aspects of the endeavor.