[Twox48]

Renting is way to recoup some expenses however whether you do it yourself or use an agent it's still a risk. Good references or not. People renting tend to do whatever they want regardless of the rules. 90% of them do not take care of rented property the way an owner would, although there are a few that do. You can be lucky or you may not be. Sooner or later you'll have a "less than wonderful" experience. If you go into it with that in mind, you won't be disappointed.

True Story: My parents rented their small cape near the Cape Cod Canal for this past winter to an EMT and a nurse thru a reputable agent to recoup some expenses. No issues thru the 6 months until the renters left. Upon inspection the place was filthy mess. Our feet stuck to the kitchen floor like a fly trap! Dirty dishes in the cabinets (like bacon grease puddles in frying pans! Puddles, not just greasy feeling!) moldings broken off the wall, broken kitchen chairs, drawers in dressers with front torn off and no bottoms, a bed (frame & mattress) was missing along with personal items like pictures and kitchen utensils! In the end they sent a bill for $4900 in lieu of the security deposit of $900 they had requested back. My parents had no intention of getting a dime of it back and didn't.

Not trying to scare you but be aware that there's risk no matter who you rent thru or to.

Oh and you will need to talk to your ins. agent. Should a disaster occur like a fire, you could very well be denied a claim unless you have a policy that covers rental property.