Landlords Information

The Letting Centre is here to help and advise, whether you are looking for us to fully manage the letting of your property or if you require a Tenant Find service only.

ServicesFull Management serviceTenant Find service
Current market rental appraisal
Full detailed particulars with colour photographs
Regular local newspaper advertising
Internet advertising
Window displays in our office
To Let boards
Accompanied viewings
Full referencing including credit history check
Comprehensive inventory/schedule of condition to include colour photographs
Preparation of tenancy agreement
Collection of deposit
At additional charge
Rental collection & bank payments
Prompt accounting & monthly statements
Advising utility companies of occupancy changes
Initial 2 month property inspection, thereafter every 4-6 months with full written report
Arranging running repairs & maintenance if required
Annual gas safety test arranged on landlords' behalf
End of tenancy inspection
At additional charge

For a free no obligation valuation, please telephone 01626 353881 or click here.

Landlords' Guide

Preparing the Property

To attract quality tenants, it is very important that your property is well maintained and presented in good decorative order. We suggest that carpets & ovens are professionally cleaned, chimneys are swept and gardens are neat and tidy.

Safety regulations & legal requirements

Gas

As from October 1994, it is a legal requirement that all gas appliances in rental properties are checked annually by a Gas Safe registered gas engineer. A copy of the gas safety certificate must be issued annually to the tenant.

Electrical

Although there is currently no legal requirement for an electrical inspection, a landlord is responsible for the safety of the tenant. Therefore, we recommend that an electrical inspection is carried out at the beginning of the initial tenancy and every 5 years thereafter. Trading Standards recommends that appliances are tested every 12 months by a trained competent person; this test is also known as Portable Appliance Test (PAT).

Fire Safety

These regulations require that all soft furnishings, upholstery or upholstered furnishings including sofas, beds, mattresses, upholstered dining room chairs and headboards, scatter cushions, pillows, and other similar items must comply and be fire retardant to the appropriate standards. This includes any furniture provided as part of a let and also any furniture stored in outbuildings or loft spaces etc. The manufacturer will have labelled compliant furnishings.

The regulations do not apply to curtains, carpets, bedclothes (including duvets) and mattress covers. Furniture manufactured prior to 1950 is not affected by the regulations; however proof of age must be provided.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

There must be at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of the property which is used as living accommodation. A carbon monoxide alarm must be fitted in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is used.

Legionella 

As a landlord you have a duty of care to your tenants to make sure your water supply is working properly to protect them from Legionella, for more information please click here

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

Since 1st October 2008 all rental properties coming to the market and all new tenancies must have an “Energy Performance Certificate" by law. We recommend that this is organised at the earliest opportunity.

These certificates are broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances and record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of energy efficiency and carbon emissions on a scale of A-G, where A is very efficient and G very inefficient. Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years.

As with the safety regulations, we would be happy to arrange a surveyor who can undertake this work on your behalf or of course you can choose to arrange for this certificate yourself if you prefer.

Tax and non resident landlords

Rental income is liable to tax. For landlords who reside outside of the UK, we are obliged under the Taxation of the Income from Land (Non Residents) Regulations 1995 to deduct tax at the basic rate from the rent unless advised to the contrary by the Inland Revenue.

Right To Rent checks

We will carry out the necessary checks, to confirm that the tenants are eligible to rent in the UK

Deposits

All deposits taken for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy must be protected by the Tenants Deposit scheme. It must be registered in a government approved scheme. For more information please visit www.tds.gb.com.

Tenancy Agreement

Prior to a tenancy commencing, you will normally be required to sign a standard Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, which is usually for a period of six or twelve months. A Tenancy Agreement will fully explain and detail the terms and conditions on which your tenant(s) is taking the Tenancy, plus any other special conditions that relate to the property.

Further information

Viewing

All viewings will be accompanied by a member of The Letting Centre staff and all appointments need to be made through our Newton Abbot office.

Inventory/Schedule of Condition

For the protection of both the landlord and the tenant, it is essential that a comprehensive Inventory/Schedule of Condition is compiled before the commencement of each tenancy. This detailed document includes a description of everything from ceilings to floors, including the condition of the décor, cleanliness and any defects etc, together with colour photographs. This is to comply with the Tenants Deposit Scheme.

Inspections

All managed properties are subject to regular inspections. The first inspection is carried out 2 months after the commencement of the tenancy and thereafter every 4-6 months. The purpose of these inspections is to check the condition of the property and to discuss with the tenant any problems or issues. After every inspection, a report is drawn up and forwarded to the landlord.

Mortgages

If your property is subject to a mortgage, it is necessary that you obtain written consent from the mortgagees and a copy of the consent is sent to us.


Redress Scheme

Provided by - The Property Ombudsman

Client Money Protection

Provided by - RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)

Deposit Protection 

Provided by - Tenancy Deposit Scheme


Landlord Fees

Tenant Find (Let Only) - 10% plus VAT = 12% of 6 months’ rent (60% of the first months rent plus VAT), minimum fee of £400.00

Full Management – 10% plus VAT  = 12% of monthly rent
Rent Collection - 8% plus VAT = 10% of monthly rent 

For a complete list of our Landlord fees for Full Management please click here

For a complete list of our Landlord fees for Tenant Find please click here

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