Accurate valuation
Your aim should be to let your property at the best possible price in the shortest possible time. When choosing a letting agent consider; their opening hours, when they will be available to conduct viewings and what kind of marketing your property will receive. These are critical to obtaining the maximum rental value for your property. At every valuation we bring research on the house prices where your property is located, information about our services and most importantly get to know what you would like to achieve from your property.
Consider Property Management
Property Management is the key to reaping maximum rental returns on your property. Many tenants insist on renting managed properties and are often prepared to pay a premium for this. By instructing us to manage your property gives you peace of mind that both your property and the tenant will be cared for. We will look after the general day-to-day management and more complex issues such as emergency repairs, collection of rent, transfer of utilities and much more.
Presenting your property
First impressions count. The presentation of your property is critical to a successful let. Consider addressing any DIY jobs you have been meaning to get done, add a fresh coat of paint where necessary and try to declutter to make rooms appear larger. These small jobs can help maximize the rental achieved.
Marketing your property
To find your perfect tenant you need to give your property maximum exposure across a wide range of media. When you instruct us, you will benefit from a comprehensive marketing package.
The package includes a in depth property description, we can offer floor plans at no extra cost. Your property then makes it’s way on to all the major property portals, our website and a social media campaign.
Accompanied viewings
With our flexible approach to viewings, with the aim of giving you the peace of mind, we can take advantage of having evening and weekend viewings. As you would expect we accompany the viewings, which enables us to use our expertise in letting out your property.
Receiving an offer
As soon as an offer is received we will contact you to communicate full details of an offer along with any special conditions to help you decide whether or not to accept.
Offer agreed
- Once you accept an offer we will do the following:
- Collect references from the tenants
- Arrange signing of Tenancy Agreement
- Collect moving-in payment (rent + deposit)
- Carry out check-in and a detailed inventory
- Organise a Gas Safety Test and if needed Portable Appliance Test
- Arrange professional cleaning of your property (if necessary)
The deposit is put into the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS), which can help with a smooth deposit release process at the end of the tenancy.
Preparing your property for tenancy
Before you let your property for the first time you must obtain a comprehensive inventory. This is a service we provide (at an additional cost) to set out the condition and contents of the property. We can help with the transfer of utilities & council tax into the tenant’s names. Upon completion, keys will be released to the tenant on moving-in day.
Congratulations, your property is now let!
FAQ
Legal responsibilities
You as a landlord are obliged to ensure that the property is safe before the commencement of each tenancy. Below is a list of items with which landlords must comply:
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC is required prior to marketing the property. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards mean that properties with an EPC rating of band F or band G cannot be let out unless there is an applicable exemption which is registered on the Public Exemptions Register.
In certain circumstances a valid EPC is required before possession of the property can be regained.
Gas Safety
Any property containing gas pipework and a gas appliance must meet the required safety standards, pass an annual Landlords’ Gas Safety Check and have a certificate issued.
Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms must be fitted to each floor of the building on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. All detectors must be working on the day the tenancy starts.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
There must be a working carbon monoxide alarm fitted in any room that is used partly or wholly as living accommodation which also contains any appliance which burns, or is capable of burning, solid fuel.
As gas is not a solid fuel, there is no requirement to fit one near a gas boiler. However, current regulations advise that carbon monoxide alarms are fitted in any “High Risk” areas. Therefore, we would strongly advise that a working carbon monoxide alarm is fitted in any room containing a gas appliance.
Legionella
It is a legal requirement for landlords to undertake and keep records of a Legionella Risk Assessment on a property before letting it. If a risk of legionella is discovered, a programme to manage and, where possible, reduce the risk must be put in place. This is not to be confused with Legionella testing – which is not required for residential properties.
Electrical Safety
There is currently no specific legal requirement for wiring or appliances to be tested. However, there is an obligation for landlords to ensure that the property, it’s installations and appliances (if any) are safe for use at the start and throughout the life of the tenancy. Therefore, we advise landlords to have the wiring and portable appliances in the property tested.
Furniture and Furnishings
Any furniture supplied must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended by Regulations made in 1989 and 1993. All new furniture (except mattresses and bed bases) and loose and stretch covers are required to carry a permanent label providing information about their fire-retardant properties. Such a label will indicate compliance with the regulations. If furniture is not labelled it should be assumed that it will fail to meet the regulations.
General Hazard Assessment
A risk assessment of the property should be undertaken to ensure there are no obvious hazards – such as trip hazards, ponds in gardens, stairs without handrails etc. The government’s Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), listing 29 risks, is a good guide for this
How much will it cost me to let my property?
The costs involved in letting your property consist of:
How much do Inventory and check-in reports cost?
Prices for an inventory and check-in report start from £85. This should be organised before a tenant moves in.
How much are agency fees? is the agency commission & set-up fee?
Please click here to view our range of services and fees.
Are there any additional marketing costs?
We do not charge any additional marketing costs.
Who will conduct viewings on my property and when will they take place?
We accompany all viewings during our opening hours unless you specify otherwise. We have a flexible approach to viewing times and tailor our hours to meet yours and the needs of the potential tenants.
Do I need to be present for viewings?
As we accompany all viewings and have the access codes and keys for your property you do not need to be there, unless you want to be there! It is worth noting that tenants often feel more relaxed when the owner is not present.
What is an EPC and how long will it be valid?
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) measures the energy efficiency of a property using a scale of A-G and is valid for 10 years. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have a valid EPC before their property is let. This is something we can arrange for you.
How much is the tenant's deposit and what happens to it?
Typically, this is six weeks' rent and is payable upon the signing of the tenancy agreement. The deposit for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) should also be registered with a tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of the start of the tenancy agreement.
What does the new deposit scheme involve and how does it protect me?
All deposits being paid by a tenant for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy are registered with The Deposit Protection Scheme within 30 days of the start of the tenancy agreement. This guarantees that any deposit disputes will be dealt with efficiently.
How much does an inventory cost and who is responsible for organising this?
Prices vary depending on the size of your property, however we are able to organise an inventory on your behalf.