This will depend on the type of tenant you wish to attract. For example, families tend to bring their own furnishings whereas corporate lets are more likely to need everything laid on for them. Generally an ‘unfurnished‘ property is an empty one though it should contain certain essentials such as curtains, carpets, shades to the light fittings and a range of domestic appliances. ‘Furnished‘ property provides the essential furniture in all rooms, together with all major domestic appliances. ‘Fully Furnished‘ is literally ready for immediate occupation and includes everything you might find in a home including bedding, linens and pictures on the walls.

The government introduced the The Housing Act 1988, which was updated in 1996. As a result, regardless of length, most tenancies are now Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST’s). Such tenancies guarantee the landlord possession at the end of the tenancy providing: 1) The rent does not exceed £25,000m per annum. 2) The landlord must not enjoy Resident Landlord status. 3) The tenant must occupy the property as their main or principal home. In the case of joint tenancies, at lease one person must occupy the property as their main or principal home.3) The tenant must be an individual. Other types of tenancy include: Contractual or Common Law Tenancies and Company Tenancies.

There is no minimum term for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement, but as a landlord it is important you appreciate that proceedings for possession of your property under normal circumstances cannot be instituted before 6 months. For example: A landlord and tenant agree a 4 month AST. The tenant may determine at the four month point without any repercussions but should the tenant remain at the property the landlord cannot initiate proceedings for recovery through the accelerated possession procedure before the six-month point. To avoid this situation it is advisable for landlords to enter into Assured Shorthold Tenancies of a minimum 6-month term.

Technically in Assured Shorthold Tenancies, the tenant can leave at the end of six months (or other agreed initial term) without giving notice. Otherwise he has to give one month‘s notice on or before the rent day. The landlord always has to give two month‘s notice on the same basis.

The Housing Act 1988 as amended together with the Assured Shorthold Tenancy confer full rights of repossession on the landlord. If a tenant does not move out having been given Notice that the landlord requires their property back, for what ever reason, legal proceedings can be initiated. Assuming all the papers are in order, the judge must grant the landlord a Possession Order.