5 Things Every Landlord Should Do Before Letting a Property in Manchester

Letting a property in Manchester? Don’t wing it.

Whether you’re new to the game or have a whole portfolio under your belt, ticking off these five things before marketing your rental can save you stress, time, and a ton of money.

Here's your no fluff guide from Manchester's straight talking lettings team.

1. Get Your Legal Ducks in a Row

Manchester (like the rest of the UK) is governed by strict lettings laws. Miss one thing and it could cost you thousands. Before a tenant sets foot in your property, make sure you've got:

• A valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rated E or above

• A current Gas Safety Certificate

• An up to date Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

• Working smoke alarms on every floor, and a carbon monoxide alarm if needed

• A compliant "How to Rent" guide ready to serve

  
  

Skip these and not only could you land a fine, you might not be able to serve notice if it all goes pear shaped.

2. Know Who Your Ideal Tenant Is

You wouldn’t let your mate borrow your car without knowing they can drive. Same applies to your property. Decide early on: Are you looking for young professionals in Ancoats? Families in Didsbury? Students in Fallowfield?

Knowing your ideal tenant helps you:

• Price your rent competitively

• Tailor your marketing

• Avoid time-wasters

At The Gilbert Group, we’re pros at matching people to property. No random tenants, no dodgy vibes.

We recently helped a landlord in Salford who’d struggled to find reliable tenants, we found them a vetted professional within 3 days.

3. Sort Your Finances

Before that first rent hits your account, be crystal clear on your numbers. Are you covering the mortgage? Is your insurance landlord specific? Will you be managing the property or handing it to someone else?

And don’t forget tax. Income from rental property is taxable, and HMRC don’t mess around. We keep things in house, and our accounting team (run by Carl and Tom, father and son of the Gilbert family) handle everything from portfolio profit tracking to tax returns.

4. Presentation Matters

Manchester tenants are spoiled for choice. If your property looks tired, it’ll sit on the market longer. Simple updates like fresh paint, clean grout, working lightbulbs, and a deep clean can make all the difference.

And don’t skip good marketing. We’re talking:

• Professional photos

• Floor plans

• Listings on Rightmove & Zoopla

• Stand-out descriptions (not the robotic kind!)

We handle all of this in our Tenant Find service.

5. Have a Solid Tenancy Agreement

Verbal agreements = disaster waiting to happen. You need a strong tenancy agreement that covers:

• Rent amount and payment terms

• Deposit protection

• Maintenance responsibilities

• Break clauses

We use rock solid agreements tailored to your property and tenant type. No online templates here.

If you’re letting a property in Manchester and want it done properly (without tearing your hair out), get these five things sorted from the get go.

Want it fully hands-off? Let us do it all for you – compliance, marketing, tenant finding, management, accounts, and more. That’s the Gilbert Group way.

Ready to let? Give the Gilbert Family a call.