WIth our professional approach and a team of motivated and dedicated
staff, we pay particular attntion to finding the right tenant at the optimum
rental price.
Once prospective tenants are found, they are carefully reference
checked and only when we are totally satisfied will we recommend the Landlord
to proceed. Through this we have gained an excellent reputation for providing
consistently high quality professional tenants.
As part of the Lettings service and at no additional charge to our Landlords,
all of our properties are shot by a professional photographer using state
of the art technology with Virtual Tours and we are able to send out details
by SMS texting to our potential tenants.
Whether it is a studio apartment or a substantial family home, each property
we let and manage is carefully looked after with regular inspections, maintenance
and feedback to the Landlord via our dedicated in-house Property Management
team. Our Accounts department collect all rental payments by Direct Debit
and forwarding payments are made by BACS payment on a daily basis.
KEEP IT CLEAN
A clean and tidy property will not only be easier to rent, it will also
mean that a fair rent is justified. Think about whether you would want to
live there or not.
TO FURNISH OR NOT TO FURNISH?
Property can be let either completely unfurnished, part furnished or fully
furnished. This will be reflected in the rent asked for the property. Decide
whether to furnish the property or not and to what level. Remember to allow
for reasonable wear and tear on any property that you provide. No matter
what level you decide on, carpets and curtains (of a decent standard) must
be provided.
DO I NEED TO TELL ANYONE THAT I AM LETTING THE PROPERTY?
You must inform and have consent from your mortgage lender and freeholder
(if you are a leaseholder or a management company). Keep any written consents
safe along with any other documents regarding the property.
For a definition of Freeholder, see our Moving Terms guide
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
You will need to make sure that you have third party insurance and that
you are covered for public liability and against defective premises risks.
You will also need to make sure that the building itself is insured and
that any furnishings or contents provided by you are covered. You may also
like to consider special insurance for landlords which gives cover for legal
costs if you have any disputes with your tenant.
WHO PAYS THE COUNCIL TAX?
When the property is let (for a period longer than 6 months), the tenants
pay the council tax (direct to the local authority). If the property is
not occupied, the landlord is accountable for the council tax on that property.
It is in the best interest of the landlord/agent to let the council know
when there is a change of occupancy as the landlord will continue to be
held responsible by the council until they are informed of the change in
occupancy status of the property.
MAINTENANCE BILLS
As the landlord, you will usually be responsible for maintaining the property.
It is also normal for the landlord to pay the ground rent, water rates and
any service charge on the property.
THE BEST FORM OF LETTING
The Housing Act (1998) has resulted in greater protection for the landlord.
If you have any questions about this, your letting agent will advise you
on the most appropriate letting agreement to suit your circumstances.
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY RENTAL INCOME?
You will need to discuss with your letting agent how you will receive your
rental income. Some agents have client accounting centres which deal with
this. Do not be afraid to ask your letting agent questions. They are there
to help you with the letting process and will be able to advise you if you
are unsure of anything.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM GETTING A GOOD TENANT?
Usually it is the letting agent's job to check the prospective tenant's
references, perform any financial checks (bank and work references), take
care of any legal formalities and select suitable tenants.
DO I HAVE TO PAY TAX ON RENTAL INCOME?
The short answer is yes. How much will vary on whether you are classed
as a UK resident or not. The taxable amount is calculated after a series
of deductions. The Inland Revenue publish a series of leaflets which will
give you more information about this (leaflets ir150 and ir87). You can
find these on the Inland Revenue website or contact the Inland Revenue direct
for more details.
INVENTORY
As the landlord, you must provide an inventory for the property which can
be signed and agreed upon by both tenant and landlord at the start and end
of the lease. Your letting agent will take care of drawing up an inventory
and guiding the tenant through the signing. It is usual for the tenant to
pay for the inventory when checking in and the landlord when checking out.
When changing tenants, you must provide a new inventory for each set of
tenants. You should also ensure that all tenants are made aware of their
responsibilities towards the property.
SAFETY MATTERS
All gas equipment MUST be serviced annually and the relevant certification
provided.
All electrical equipment provided must be safe. We suggest that at least one
RCD (Residual Circuit Device) in at least one dedicated ground floor socket
to be used for any outside electrical equipment. The consequences of not ensuring
safe gas and electrical appliances are fitted in the property are serious
for landlords and we recommend you take advice on this from your letting agent.
