The biggest concern for any landlord is - 'what do I do if something goes wrong and/or I don't get paid the rent?' After all, you still have to pay the finance costs.

Essentially there are four main areas of concern:

• that the property doesn't let in the first place
• that the tenant doesn't pay the rent
• that something goes wrong with the property
• risk of damage to the property (e.g. fire).

If you have a good rental property and have accurately focused it on the local market then, so long as you employ a good agent (with a high marketing profile) the only substantial risk is that there might be a fall or crash in the rentals market.

If the rentals market does fall, then it is probably because more people are choosing to buy rather than rent - therefore look to sell your property rather than rent it.

If you are concerned that your property may take a while to rent, then consider taking a buy to let mortgage which allows you to have a period when the property is vacant.