DIY Landlord Guide: Rent Smart, Stay Protected

1. Preparation Before Listing for Rent: Why is it Recommended to Use a "Burner Phone"?

Before deciding to list the property yourself, it is recommended to purchase a separate SIM card. The biggest hassle for landlords when renting out themselves is often receiving numerous cold calls from real estate agents after listing. Using an independent number to register a dedicated WhatsApp account can separate rental inquiries from personal life, avoiding unnecessary disturbances and making it easier to change contact methods in the future.

2. Platform Strategy: Let Genuine Tenants Find You

High-quality platforms guide landlords to fill out complete information, improving matching accuracy.

Make Good Use of Tagging Features: On the platform, indicate options such as "Pets Allowed," "Newly Renovated," "No Commission," etc., which helps the system push the listing to tenants searching for related conditions.

Add Watermarks to Photos: It is recommended to add a semi-transparent "Landlord Direct" text in the center of the images to reduce the risk of image theft and being reposted as an agent listing.

3. Tenant Screening: Documents and Interviews are Equally Important

1. Recommended Documents to Request

Before signing the provisional tenancy agreement, landlords can ask prospective tenants to provide the following documents for assessment:

• Salaried Individuals: Bank statements for the last 3 months
• Self-Employed Individuals: Business Registration Certificate (BR) and bank records for the last 6 months (Bank records can reflect actual income stability and are more valuable for reference than a single company letter.)

2. Interview Assessment

When showing the unit to prospective tenants, in addition to introducing the property's condition, you can also observe the tenant's communication style and background for an overall risk assessment.

4. Signing and Compliance: Key to Protecting Rights to Pursue Claims

1. Use Standard Tenancy Agreement Templates

The tenancy agreement should clearly state:

• Maintenance responsibilities (e.g., air conditioners belong to the landlord, light bulbs belong to the tenant)
• Tenancy period and notice period for termination
• Two copies, signed by both parties

2. Two Essential Administrative Procedures

Submit CR109 (Notification of New Letting or Renewal Agreement): Must be submitted to the Rating and Valuation Department within 1 month after signing. If not submitted, it may affect the court's recognition of the tenancy agreement's validity when pursuing rent arrears in the future.

Pay Stamp Duty (Stamp the Agreement): Must be completed within 30 days after signing. In principle, an unstamped tenancy agreement cannot be used as evidence in court unless it is stamped later with a penalty, which can be up to 10 times the payable stamp duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Legal for Landlords to Rent Out Themselves?

Landlords listing and renting out properties themselves is a legal act and does not require going through real estate agents. However, relevant laws must still be complied with, including signing a formal tenancy agreement, submitting the "Notification of New Letting or Renewal Agreement" (CR109), and paying stamp duty.

Is it Safe to Sign an Agreement Yourself Without an Agent?

As long as a standard tenancy agreement template is used and stamp duty and CR109 procedures are completed on time, the tenancy agreement is equally legally binding. Renting out yourself does not mean no protection; the key lies in whether the procedures are correct.