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Information for Landlords

We understand that letting your property, especially for the first time, can be a worrying experience and with this in mind our most important consideration is providing you the Landlord with the best possible service and the right tenant for your property.

We never forget that the property is your most important asset, and we can confidently assure you that by instructing us to act as your Letting and Management Agents your asset will be in professional and caring hands.

A Personal Service
Because we are a small family firm, we are able to offer a personal service, with attention to detail, whilst at the same time maintaining a high standard of competence and professionalism.

Choosing a Letting Agent
When choosing a letting agent, it is sensible to ask a number of questions to rule out any potential issues of concern. No reputable agent should mind answering these questions. Check to see that the issues and questions raised here are all covered in the letting agent’s terms of business.

· Are you a member of NALS, ARLA, NAEA, UKALA or RICS (these are the main residential lettings governing bodies)?
· Do you hold clients’ money in a separate account?
· Do you hold professional indemnity insurance to the value of at least £2,000,000?
· Please supply a copy of the relevant certificate for the above.
· Do you make regular visits to the property to check its state and condition (by regular we mean at least quarterly)?
· Does the landlord receive a written report for each periodic visit?
· Do you use an in-house inventory production facility?
· If the Inventory provider is outsourced, do they carry professional indemnity insurance as listed above (please provide a copy)?
· Do you have a formal written complaints procedure?
· Do you hold insurance and qualification details for all the contractors you engage (minimum insurance should be £2,000,000)?
· What ongoing training is undertaken by the company?
· How long has the principal member of your office been involved in lettings?
· What is your procedure in the event that a tenant does not pay the rent?
· Do you charge any renewal fees to Landlords or tenants?
· Do you receive any financial gain from contractors you use to carry out repairs etc. (i.e. introduction fees, early payment discounts or trade discounts etc.)?

 SafeAgent

SafeAgent was formerly called the National Approved Letting Scheme and is the most respected and recognised scheme of its type offering superb complete peace of mind for tenants and landlords.  We are fully licensed by SafeAgent.  People can have confidence in any firm using the SafeAgent logo, because they know every single accredited firm has had to agree to:

  • Meet defined standards of customer service
  • Be part of a Client Money Protection Scheme
  • Have a written customer complaints procedure offering independent redress through an ombudsman
  • Have current Professional Indemnity Insurance
  • Have a designated client bank account

These requirements, and service standards, provide protection and security for both the tenant and the landlord.

 Client Money Protection Scheme

There are several client money protection schemes to which agents can belong.  Rightly so, it is mandatory for an agent to be registered with one of these schemes to protect their clients’ money.   We belong to the scheme operated by SafeAgent.

Carefully Selected Tenants

Drawn from a continually updated register, all prospective Tenants are thoroughly referenced, and credit checked. In some cases, we will also require a guarantor.

Before a property can be let, there are several matters which the owner will need to deal with to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly, and also that he/she complies with the law. We provide summarised information below. If you require further advice or assistance with any matter, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Preparing the Property

We have found that a good relationship with Tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers this relationship is our job, but it is important that the Tenants should feel comfortable in their temporary home, and that they are receiving value for their money. It follows, therefore, that a well presented and maintained property in a good decorative order will go towards this, whilst also achieving a higher rental figure. Tenants are also more inclined to treat such a property with greater respect.

Click Here for our advice on how to rent your property.

Optional Extras

Optional Extras:

Bond Protection

We will ensure your compliance with the current bond protection legislation by holding the bond (security deposit) in a dedicated account and registering it with ‘The Dispute Service’. We will handle the registration, issuing of certificates and prescribed information and assist with the disbursements at the end of the tenancy.

£40.00 + VAT = £48.00 (FREE with our FULL MANAGEMENT PACKAGE)

Photographic Inventory

We will carry out a comprehensive photographic inventory and schedule of condition of your property. It is an invaluable tool should you need to prove the condition and cleanliness of the property at the end of the tenancy and can be used as proof should any dispute arise. Every tenancy should have a photographic inventory.
UNFURNISHED – (£100.00 + VAT) = £120.00 for a 1 bedroom property plus (£6.00 + VAT) = £7.20 per additional bedroom.
FURNISHED – (£120.00 + VAT) = £144.00 for a 1 bedroom property plus (£10.00 + VAT) = £12.00 per additional bedroom.
(HALF PRICE WITH OUR FULL MANAGEMENT, RENT COLLECTION & OWNER MANAGED PACKAGES)

Comprehensive move in procedure on the tenancy start day

We will meet with your new tenants on the day the tenancy is to start. We will go through the tenancy agreement with your tenants and make sure they fully understand their obligations. We will explain the Bond Protection scheme and procedures to them and issue the certificate and prescribed information. We will give copies of the Gas Certificate, Electrical Certificate, Energy Performance Certificate and ‘How to Rent’ booklet to your tenants and collect a signature to confirm these obligations have been met. We will accompany the tenants to the property and read the meters together. We will explain the operation of the heating etc. and show them where the stop taps and fuse boards are, and handover the keys. Advice is also given on T.V. licensing, Electoral Register, Utility handover and any other incidental matters arising.
(£100.00 + VAT ) = £120.00
(FREE with our FULL MANAGEMENT and RENT COLLECTION PACKAGES, REDUCED FOR OWNER MANAGED)

Comprehensive final inspection & check-out procedure
We will meet your vacating tenants on the last day of their tenancy and check the inventory and schedule of condition to ensure they have abided by their obligations during their tenancy. We will read meters and sign for them with the tenants to end their liability and provide a smooth handover back to you or your new tenants. We also help co-ordinate the repayment and distribution of the bond in line with current legislation.
(£100.00 + VAT) = £120.00 (FREE with our FULL MANAGEMENT PACKAGE)

Rent Guarantee Insurance

Rent guarantee insurance is available where your tenants have successfully passed the referencing procedure or have suitable guarantors who have passed. Even the nicest tenants can become ill, lose their jobs or have some other misfortune which means they are unable to pay the rent they owe you. In these circumstances it is invaluable to have the peace of mind of a full rent guarantee and legal expenses insurance package to cater for such events. We strongly recommend all landlords consider taking out Rent Guarantee Insurance. We will arrange for the referencing company to contact you to give further advice and a quotation.

Tenant Referencing

We offer a choice of referencing options to choose between from credit check only through to full landlord, income and credit checks.

Credit check only, (£20.00 + VAT) = £24.00 per applicant, (plus (£20.00 + VAT) = £24.00 per guarantor)
Credit check plus income or current landlord check – (£30.00 + VAT) = £36.00 per applicant, (plus (£20.00 + VAT) = £24.00 to credit check & confirm their income)
Credit check plus income and current landlord check – (£50.00 + VAT) = £60.00, (plus (£20.00 + VAT) = £24.00 to credit check & confirm their income)

Gas Safety Inspection
We will instruct a suitably qualified ‘Gas Safe’ registered plumber to carry out a Landlord’s gas safety inspection and to issue the relevant certificate to comply with current legislation.
(£80.00 + VAT) = £96.00 (up to 2 appliances)
(£10.00 + VAT) = £12.00 for each additional appliance

Electrical Schedule of Condition Report
We will instruct a suitably qualified electrician to carry out a schedule of condition report and issue the relevant certificate. Any remedial work will need to be quoted on an individual basis. It is recommended that an electrical schedule of condition report is done every 5 years.
(£190.00 + VAT) = £228.00 (up to a 3 bedroomed property)
(£20.00 + VAT) = £24.00 for each additional bedroom

Electrical Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)
We will instruct a suitably qualified electrician to carry out portable appliance testing on all electrical items provided as part of your letting, and relevant stickers & paperwork issued. It is recommended that PAT testing be done every 2 years.
(£60.00 plus £4.00 per item + VAT) = £72.00 plus £4.80 per item
Energy Performance Certificate (E.P.C.)
We will instruct a suitably qualified Energy Surveyor to carry out an Energy Performance Certificate and issue the relevant paperwork. This must be done before we begin to advertise the property if there is not one already in place. EPC’s are valid for a period of 10 years.
(£80.00 + VAT) – £96.00

Unoccupied Property Visual Inspections
We will act as key holders and carry our regular visual inspections on an unoccupied property (on a non-expert basis) and keep a written record of such visit and any problems noted. The inspection will be limited to obvious signs of leaks, broken windows etc. in each accessible room of the property. Should there be anything that needs to be reported, we will notify you or your representative as necessary.
(£40.00 + VAT) = £48.00 per visit

Fees
Full Management – An initial letting fee of (50% + VAT) = 60% of 1 months’ rent (minimum £175.00 + VAT) = £210.00
Plus (12% + VAT) = 14.4% of rent collected (minimum £45.00 + VAT) £54.00 per month from month 2
Initial Letting & Rent Collection – An initial letting fee of (50% + VAT) = 60% of 1 months’ rent (minimum £175.00 + VAT) = £210.00
Plus (8% + VAT) = 9.6% of rent collected (minimum £40.00 + VAT) = £48.00 per month
Owner Managed – (60% + VAT) = 72% of 1 months’ rent (minimum £175.00 + VAT) = £210.00
Marketing Package – Fixed fee of (£300.00 + VAT) = £360.00 payable in advance
Contracts Only – Fixed fee of (£150.00 + VAT) = £180.00 payable in advance

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