Valuation
Valuing your property for rental is something that is very much driven by market conditions and therefore knowledge of the area is imperative to ensure we can achieve the highest rental figure at the time of marketing.
The rental market is all about supply and demand. If there are not many properties available of your type, you may achieve a higher than market rental for it and if there are a lot of properties available, then you may choose to set the rent at a more competitive rate in order to attract tenants.
First impressions and the way in which your property is presented can have a major effect on the rent you achieve and the speed it is let and therefore as part of our service we will also advise on how you can maximise your rental and to let quickly.
Tailoring Our Service
Although we offer three levels of service from just finding a tenant to full management, we are also happy to discuss creating a bespoke service that suits your situation. So if you have a particular requirement, do not hesitate to discuss it with us.
Marketing
In order to let your property, we need to ensure that it gets maximum exposure. That is why your property will be advertised on all the major websites as well as our own. In addition, it will appear in local publications.
Every tenant registered with us will go onto our instant email and text property alert system that will immediately send the information of your property to them as soon as we are instructed.
Finding a Tenant
Our philosophy has always been that finding a tenant for your property should be based on who is best, not who is first to register. That is why it is no coincidence that we have a reputation for providing quality tenants to our landlords.
Before a tenant is registered with us and any viewings take place, they are initially vetted by completing a questionnaire so that we can establish that they are able to afford the level of rent they are looking to pay and fit our strict criteria so that we don’t waste our time showing properties to potential tenants who will not pass our requirements.
This, together with our rigorous independent referencing, minimises the risk to landlords, as a tenant who cannot prove themselves to be reliable and financially sound will not be allowed to rent a property, as it is what happens after a tenant moves in which can cause landlords problems.
Viewings
Unless otherwise instructed, we will normally accompany tenants viewing properties, as it is important for us to get immediate feedback from them and deal with any questions they may have.
Agreeing a Let
Once we have agreed between landlord and tenant the terms of the let, we take a non-refundable deposit and commence the financial referencing stage. When all of the information has been compiled and approved, we will draw up a tenancy agreement, which will be given to the tenant to read through prior to signing so that they understand the full extent of their liabilities.
Moving in
By this stage all of the documentation including the necessary safety certificates and inventory will have been completed and all that remains is to collect the balance of the damage deposit and the first months’ rent in advance.
Depending on the service you have chosen, arrangements will be made for the inventory to be checked off and the keys to be handed over to the new tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in the rent?
The rent will normally be exclusive of Gas, Electric, Water Rates, Telephone Charges, Council Tax etc, but inclusive of Buildings Insurance, Contents Insurance (for your own items) and Maintenance costs, unless otherwise agreed.
What safety certificates do I need?
All properties which have any form of gas supply need a Gas Safety Certificate which will require being renewed annually. All electrics and appliances must also be safe to use. Although you have a legal obligation to ensure the electrics and appliances are safe, there is no requirement to have a safety certificate. However, to protect our landlords we recommend the necessary inspection is carried out and a certificate issued so that you have a record of this. We are happy to advise further on the various options which are available to you.
Why do I need an Energy Performance Certificate?
It is law that every property marketed to let or for sale must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), as this shows the energy efficiency levels and CO2 emissions of a building by using a standard rating from A-G. A being very efficient, G being inefficient. The rating you have does not necessarily mean you have to carry out any additional work, it just advises the tenant of the efficiency of your property.
Who is responsible for repairs?
Under existing legislations, unless a repair is necessary due to a tenant’s misuse, landlords are responsible for the repairs at the property.
What about insurance?
Landlords are responsible for arranging their building and own contents insurance and should advise their insurers that the property is being let to ensure that cover is not prejudiced in any way. Landlords should also consider a Rent Guarantee policy which will cover your rent in the event of any default, as you cannot always predict the future and sometimes the best tenants can have problems due to ill health, redundancy etc.
We also recommend that tenants take out insurance for their own contents, which will also include accidental damage to the landlord’s property.
What about my mortgage?
If you have a mortgage on your property, you must notify them before the let commences. Normally consent is given readily but you should check with your lender, as in some instances there may be some additional costs.