There are many reasons why you may have a property that you don’t live in or need anymore.

Maybe you’ve moved in with a partner or moved away for work, whatever the reason, there are options when it comes to your property.

At the moment, with property prices at an all-time high, it may seem like the best time to sell and get the most for your money.

But if your situation isn’t permanent, and you feel like hanging on to your property, then renting could be the ideal option for you.

Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference, but to help guide you, we’ve put together some pros and cons for renting.

Renting – The pros

If your move is temporary and you’re planning on returning to your home, then renting it out is the perfect way to keep that option open. Even if you’re planning on being away for years, no matter what happens and if your plans change, you’ll have somewhere to come home to. Luckily there are

tax deductions available for landlords such as cover for expenses like buildings and contents insurance, repainting and replacing damaged furniture. It should also become an extra source of income for you which can be used towards repaying the mortgage sooner or topping up your savings. Although it’s a sellers’ market at the moment, if you’re not ready to sell then you’re in control of if, and when, you choose to sell in the future. It also gives you peace of mind whilst you’re away knowing that the property is being looked after.

If you do choose to rent, you can do this easily with s1homes, reaching hundreds of thousands of Scottish renters every month. Simply visit www.s1homes.com/rent/post for all the details.

Managing a rental property and becoming a landlord comes with a lot of responsibilities and the level of management you provide depends on the time and money you’re able to spare.

Renting – The cons

If you choose to rent and become a landlord, it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s up to code, suitable for the rental market, that it is properly maintained, insured and that repairs are carried out on time. Even if you choose to have an agency look after it for you, you’ll need to factor in their fees and consider this when looking at your expected profits.

You will need to pay tax on any rental income and deal with the accompanying paperwork which can be very time-consuming. You’ll also need to be up to speed with all the legal issues associated with being a landlord – again, this can take up a lot of time and legislation can change over time, and you don’t want to be caught out.

Whatever you decide, you can advertise your property to rent or for sale at s1homes.com so why don’t you take a look at our costs while you weigh up the pros and the cons?