Lettings

There are many considerations which must be looked at in conjunction with one another when you look to purchase a new investment property and we want to help. Starting with your portfolio intentions, be it growth, income or a combination of the two, to the ta implications, financing and legal obligations we have the right people available to advise.

Often the only real way to accurately assess the likely pitfalls of any particular property you identify that you might like to buy are to visit the site itself - we are more than happy to meet and give whatever help and advise we can.

Buying to let is a complicated process and one which comes with numerous rules, regulations and legal responsibilities. Our strength is that we know from eperience that no one person can know everything but we also know the people to call on when we need specialist advice we can trust.

A big part of our initial work is focussed on bringing your property to the attention of the widest possible audience of potential tenants. Creating an effective set of details starts with the production of professional standard photographs, a detailed floor plan and an effective description which then allow us to advertise your property locally, regionally and nationally. Featuring in numerous local publications, e-zines, regional magazines, our high profile window display, our national database through the Guild of Professional Estate Agents, as well as the market leading property portals Rightmove and On the Market we will ensure we quickly attract a suitable tenant to generate you an income without delay.

In our eperience the smallest reasons can stop people taking homes which are simply perfect for them - our highly eperienced property negotiators are the perfect solution. We will meet every prospective tenant at your property to show them around and ensure that they see all the potential and overcome those minor objections people throw up. We can even drive them there if they are struggling with transport.

'Know your Tenant' is a tenant we firmly believe will help ensure your rental is a productive one. Using the leading third party referencing agent to check ID, employment, credit worthiness and their general history gives you the confidence that your tenant has been thoroughly vetted and meets our high standards for your property. We are also required to now ensure your tenant has the Right to Rent in the UK which forms a further part of the checks we carry out. Added to this the referencing company are so confident of their process that if you need to evict for non payment of rent in the first 12 months after the reference is taken they will cover your legal costs for free.

All too often there are stories in the industry of some legal breaches as a result of documentation failing to conform with the latest legislative changes - we know how important this is and as such we utilise a specialist company to constantly monitor any changes and update our documentation accordingly - nothing is infallible but we hope this comes a close second.

Ensuring both your rent and deposit monies are received and accounted for prior to releasing the keys to a property might sound like common sense but in our eperience you might be surprised.

It is a legal requirement for any landlord who enters into an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) to protect the tenant's deposits by lodging them within an approved Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme for the duration of a tenancy and advising the tenant of any information they require as to how their money is being dealt with. We will satisfy all your responsibilities in this regard by lodging deposits with the Tenancy Depose Scheme within the specified period.

A detailed inventory of content and condition is arguably the most important element of any tenancy agreement. Designed to provide a reliable snapshot of your property the document should include a detailed descriptive narrative of condition as well as suitable supporting photographs. Effectively agreed at the start of any tenancy it is agreed by both parties and as such the basis for the check out process we will perform at the end of any tenancy. Many firms will attempt to undertake this specialist process in house but invariably our experience suggests that utilising a specialist third party firm for this process is the most effective way of mitigating any arguments or disagreements.

Your inventory will include details of meter readings on key dates and we will endeavour to pass these to the relevant supplier to update their records. Occasionally we may find that the utilities will require your input at which point we will obviously get in contact with the relevant information.

Epediting the transfer of rental payments we know is important to our clients - after all it is your money and there are bills to be paid - as soon as we have received your rent is received in our account we will transfer it to you via BACS minus any costs and fees. We remit rents to landlords every working day.

In the latter stages of any tenancy before it comes to an end we will contact your tenant and speak to them with regards to the possibility of an etension. Assuming both parties are in agreement and willing to proceed we will then discuss any adjustments to rent or duration that you require. Once this period of negotiation is concluded we will commence the formal drafting of the new tenancy for signature. Obviously should you require the property returning we will serve any and all appropriate notices to enable you to regain possession or otherwise as instructed.

Ensuring your rental income keeps pace with the market and the economy at large is an important part of our service. Once a year we will review the property and the rate of rental being paid and discuss with you any possible increases that could be applied and implement these in accordance with your instructions.

When your tenants are vacating at the end of the tenancy, we will arrange to visit the property and conduct a thorough inspection. We will complete our full check-out and inspect the property and its contents against the original inventory. A member of our team will record meter readings, take photographs and compile a report. We will also arrange to collect and check all sets of keys.

We will arrange for any deductions from the deposit to be used to fund work that is required in the property these will be agreed with you and your tenant. The costs will be deducted from the deposit and the balance returned to the tenant in accordance with the terms of the tenancy agreement.

We utilise the best advertising and property publications, websites, social media and technology to ensure that we reach the widest possible target market in our search for the most suitable Tenant for you and your property

From the decor to the garden, furnishings and appliances, every aspect is a crucial part of your investment. This includes responding to maintenance requests promptly and checking the property is being cared for by your tenant. We offer advice to all tenants on how to look after rented accommodation and can arrange refurbishment work between tenancies.

We will arrange regular visits to monitor your property and the manner in which the tenant is caring for it. Any identified problems or concerns will be noted and photographed and these details will be sent to you so you know eactly how it is being looked after. We will also highlight any maintenance work or other action required as and when necessary.

Unless you have a preferred contractor our property managers have contact with a number of local, trusted contractors who can be relied upon to visit your property - sometimes at short notice - to carry out maintenance work and repairs. From cleaning duties to replacing a roof, our contractors can perform any task. All our approved contractors are required to provide appropriate insurance and qualifications, so you can rest assured work is being completed to a high standard.

The nature and compleity of the legal matters which can arise in relation to letting a property are almost never ending - we are always on hand to help and offer advice no matter what area you are dealing with. If we don’t know the answer to a question we know a man who does.

Sometimes the piece of mind of completely comprehensive protection is worth that little etra - our premier service offers just that. Should the unepected occur and you need legal assistance with your investment property we can provide assistance. (Please ask for details)

Our Premier Service Rent & Legal Protection scheme will cover the payment of any rent arrears should your tenant default on their rental obligations. The service will continue to make payments to you while the tenant still occupies your property. (Please ask for details)

We do all we can to ensure that your property is protected but the unepected can occur - another part of our premier service covers the cost of finding alternative accommodation for up to a month should you be unable to re-occupy as a result of your tenant failing to vacate when asked.