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Information for Prospective Landlords Have you a property which is or maybe becoming vacant soon? Here's why you should consider us to manage your investment to maximise your income and reduce the bother of doing it yourself. Click here to go to our Property To Let Questionnaire. INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR LANDLORDS The following information may assist you in preparing your property. If we can be of any further assistance please telephone. PREPARING THE PROPERTY FOR LETTING General Condition Electrical systems should be safe and in good working order. Plumbing and waste systems should be sound and free of blockage. Decoration Internal decorations should be in good condition and preferably plain, light and neutral. If you are in the process of redecorating we prefer not to arrange viewing until the works has been completed. Furnishings We recommend you leave only the minimum furnishings, but these should be of reasonable quality. It is important that only the actual items to be left in the property remain in the property during viewings. Upholstered furniture manufactured or re-upholstered after 1950 now comes under The Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations relating to fire resistance as measured by the cigarette and match tests. You should ensure that all upholstered furniture has the ‘fire safety’ label attached. If this label is not attached to any items of upholstered furniture we require a letter from yourself stating either the date purchased and the retailer’s name and address or the manufacturer’s name and address. This is in order that we may verify the item’s suitability under the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire Safety) Regulations which came into force on 1 March 1993. Unless items of furniture without fire safety labels can be verified as safe by either the retailer or manufacturer they should be removed from the property. The Regulations apply to foam in furniture. Examples of furniture containing foam include: Three piece suites, Armchairs, Sofa Beds, Loose covers, Stretch covers, Pillows/scatter cushions, Cots/carry cots, Prams and pushchairs Upholstered Garden furniture, Baby nest, Headboards for beds, Mattresses, Bed bases, Seat pads, Caravan furniture, Futons, Appliances Certain appliances are now considered essential: i.e. adequate heating, cooker, washing machine and fridge/freezer. Other items are recommended. See the following list. Electrical appliances left in the property should have a plug attached (or a wiring diagram if a plug is not attached) and should be in good working order. Faults or breakdowns are normally repaired at your expense, unless misuse can be established. Personal Items Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc., should be removed from the property especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed and stored in the loft at your own risk (however the tenants will require access to the loft in case of emergency or in the event that repairs are necessary). Cupboards and shelves should be left clear for the tenant’s own use. Gardens Gardens should be left neat , tidy and free of rubbish with any lawns recently cut. Tenants are required to maintain the property to the standard existing at the commencement of the tenancy, but only if they are left the necessary tools. Cleaning At the commencement of the tenancy the property should be in a clean condition. At the end of the tenancy it is the tenant’s responsibility to leave the property in the same condition. If they fail to do so you may arrange for the property to be cleaned at the tenant’s expense and deduct the cost from the security deposit. Mail Forwarding We recommend you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Application forms are available at all major branches and the cost is minimal. It is not the tenant’s responsibility to forward your mail. Information for Tenants It is extremely helpful if you leave notes or instruction booklets on operating the central heating, washing machine, alarm system, the day refuse is collected, etc. Keys Ideally you should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Inventory A complete list of contents, fixtures and fitting, including their condition should be drawn up for use during the tenant’s check-in and check-out. Gas and electricity readings should be entered together with any other remarks and the Inventory should be photocopied. Both copies should be signed by yourself and each tenant and a copy kept by both parties. The inventory should make note of both the internal and external condition of the property. TERMS OF BUSINESS Whilst we employ our best commercial judgment and experience on your behalf with regard to the selection of tenants and with regard to the terms of any agreement created on your behalf it is hereby agreed that we will not be liable to you or others under any circumstances in the event of difficulties arising in recovering arrears, or possession of the property, or under any other outcome connected with a tenancy or our appointment hereunder. Insurance The property should be covered by a Fully Comprehensive insurance policy and your insurers should be informed of your intention to let. Failure to inform them may result in a claim being delayed or declined. We can arrange Contents Insurance For Landlords to provide cover up to a Sum Insured of £30,000 with claims being settled on the basis of the full replacement cost of the damage. Loss of rent receivable up to £6,000 - where on of the above causes of loss renders the property uninhabitable. Accidental breakage of mirrors, glass in furniture or ceramic hobs up to £500. Loss of metered water up to £1,000. A completed proposal form is required before cover can be granted. Cover can only be arranged for 12 months. Proposal forms are available from ourselves. Maintenance Usually the landlord is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the exterior of the property and the sanitary installations (the property has to be maintained to a standard fit for human habitation). The tenant will usually be responsible for internal decorations. Income Tax Rental income is taxable however the Inland Revenue are generous in their allowances and tax is paid up on the ‘profit’ element. We do not undertake negotiations with the Inland Revenue on your behalf. If you intend to reside abroad income tax is deducted ‘at source’ from your rental income. Mortgage lender’s authority If your property is subject to either a mortgage or a leasehold agreement you should take the following steps. a) Check that the intended letting is permissible under the terms of the mortgage arrangement and seek the mortgage lender’s permission for the letting to proceed. We will provide a ‘Draft Copy’ of the proposed Tenancy Agreement if requested by your mortgage lender. b) Check that the intended letting is permissible under the terms of any existing leasehold agreement and that the tenancy agreement will not extend beyond the terms of the existing leasehold agreement. c) If the property is held in joint names permission should be granted by all parties and their names should appear on the Tenancy Agreement.
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