How's your performance ?

I have just read through all the new and forthcoming rental guidelines, and eaten 3 pieces of fruitcake, washed down with two cups of Rington's in the process, all kindly supplied by David at Moray Rentals.

My mind is awash with more pieces of legislation that landlords must adhere to which will be shortly introduced. All properties in Scotland which are rented to new tenants will be subject to an Energy Performance Certificate from 4 January 2009.

EPC's tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.

The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It also includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.

This coupled with the Repairing Standards document (which must have been issued to tenants from 03 September 2007 onwards) has made more legal paperwork and more expense for many landlords. Working alone, managing your own portfolio and keeping abreast of all the legalities, without the use of a letting agent, is getting harder to do.

In a time where all we are hearing on the news is tighten our purse strings and prepare for the credit crunch, it makes sense to shop around for the best deal you can get, should you sensibly decide to make use of a letting agent.

Though don't go on price alone - meet the agent in person, at your property, ask questions about them and the company. Their credit vetting of potential tenants, their advertising methods and most importantly if they hold any qualifications to do the job.

After all would you entrust a £200,000 car to a trainee mechanic, with little experience or no qualifications ? If an average single property is worth this amount, you are effectively doing the same, by using a poor quality agent.

They may be able to do the basics - but anything more than that, or any future problems, you may find that your financial wheels fall off. Speak with a professional - one of the chaps here will certainly put you on the 'right road'.

'Drive safely' everyone and watch out for a bewildered older gentlemen crossing the road, whilst trying to work out how much more money the new legislation will cost his rental portfolio.

Mr Jackson.