Landlords

Our lettings team is focused on safeguarding our clients’ best interests. When letting your home we act as your advisor from day one, ensuring that all legal obligations are met. Our service includes preparation of property particulars (including photos and floor plans), preparation of a full inventory, local, website, property portal and social media advertising and accompanied viewings. We qualify all prospective tenants through a national referencing agency to establish their suitability. Further safeguards such as Rent Guarantee Schemes are also available.

Two Tier Service

We offer our clients the option of our Full Management service or Tenant Find (Let Only) service.  For inexperienced landlords or for those who want us to take on the full responsibility of the tenancy the most suitable option is to employ us on a full management basis.  For those who wish to collect the rent themselves and deal directly with the tenants on a month to month basis, the tenant find service may be more appropriate.

Either way, from the moment we receive instructions to the day we hand over the keys at the commencement of the tenancy you will enjoy the following benefits.

Particulars

We present each property individually using internal and external photographs and incorporate floorplans where appropriate.

Database

We carry an extensive database of applicants who will automatically be matched on receipt of your instructions.  These applicants can be alerted by text, e-mail or more traditional methods of the availability of your property to generate an instant response.

Website

Our own website has recently been relaunched. Coupled with a strong social media and digital presence, your property will also be featured on prominent sites as Rightmove and Zoopla, giving us the very best opportunity of reaching the widest possible market.

Viewings

All viewings will be accompanied by a member of staff unless specifically instructed to the contrary.

Securing a Tenant

Following a successful viewing we will initially conduct an informal interview with the prospective tenant to establish their personal circumstances, employment status, residential history etc.  We will then refer to our client to gain their approval to process the application further.  Only when our client is happy, in principle, with the prospective tenant will we proceed to the formal referencing stage.  We will obtain a ‘holding deposit’ from the interested party at this point.

Homelet

We are working partners with Homelet, a dedicated referencing Agency, who process our tenancy applications.  Homelet will conduct a credit check, residential history and obtain references from employers, current or previous landlords, and, if self-employed, gain accountancy references.  The procedure is rigorous and will only approve suitable tenants.  A range of home and contents insurance for landlords is also available together with Rent Guarantee Cover to protect against any potential loss of income.

Preparation of Tenancy Agreement

Following a successful application, we will draw up the necessary documentation for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy which will usually be for an initial minimum period of six months.   Once a start date is agreed, we can liaise with local authorities, utility suppliers and notify them of the new occupants and advise meter readings.  Alongside the tenancy agreement a full inventory will be prepared to ensure that, at the conclusion of the tenancy,  the property is handed back in the same condition in which it was handed over.

Deposits

Monthly rents are paid in advance and, before any keys are handed over, we will also take a deposit (equivalent to a maximum of 5 weeks rent) as a protection against any damage caused during the tenancy.  Firm legal rules apply to the holding of such deposits and, unless instructed to the contrary, we register these with the Deposit Protection Scheme, a government-backed agency. 

If the Tenant Find service has been selected the landlord will administer the tenancy from this point.  For our Full Management Service the following applies:

Collecting Rent

It is our responsibility to collect the rent on a monthly basis and account to you.  In the rare instances where arrears are encountered it is, again, our responsibility to ensure that shortfalls are handled swiftly and efficiently.

Periodic Inspections

We will conduct regular periodic inspections of the property to ensure that the tenants are maintaining the property in a suitable manner.  These will normally be conducted every three months and reports will be made following each inspection.

Maintenance

Inevitably, maintenance issues arise from time to time and we have access to a range of reputable and qualified tradespeople who can attend.  It is a legal requirement to provide a gas safety certificate annually and to provide a Domestic Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years. Each property needs to be assessed for its energy efficiency and meet the minimum standards. We are able to advise on such issues and can organise inspections and repairs, where necessary.  You may decide to provide us with a mandate to organise such repairs of up to, say, £150 without reference to you and such agreements can be made from the outset.

We offer free consultations, without obligation, on any legal aspect of letting your property together with up-to-date valuation and marketing advice.

Fees

FULL MANAGEMENT SERVICE

Management Fee – 12% including VAT of the rent received

Set up Fee – £240.00 including VAT for:

Advertising, conducting viewings, obtaining references, drawing up appropriate tenancy documents, preparing a full written inventory, and administering the creation of a tenancy. Thereafter, the rent will be collected and paid monthly, less the agreed management fee. Any maintenance issues will be managed, contractors instructed and invoices settled on your behalf from rents received.

TENANT FIND / LET ONLY SERVICE

Set up Fee – 90% including VAT of the first month’s rent, (subject to a minimum charge of £600 including VAT) for:

Advertising, conducting viewings, obtaining references, drawing up appropriate tenancy documents, preparing a full written inventory, and administering the creation of a tenancy.

RENT COLLECTION SERVICE

Management Fee – 9.6% including VAT (or 8% plus VAT) of the rent received

Set up Fee – £240.00 including VAT for:

Advertising, conducting viewings, obtaining references, drawing up appropriate tenancy documents, preparing a full written inventory, and administering the creation of a tenancy. Thereafter, the rent will be collected and paid monthly, less the agreed management fee.

CLIENT MONEY PROTECTION
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