Landlord Questions

How Do I Get My Property Onto The Market With The Lifestyle Letting Agency?

Call us on 0845 456 9566 / 01706 823 131 and one of our friendly advisors will go through everything with you. Once our Free in-house valuation and photography has been carried out we will agree a suitable marketing price.

Why should I use you and not another local Letting Agent?

If you want or need to let your property quickly then we are your best solution, we are tailor-made for your circumstances. We are Letting specialists in attracting motivated Tenants to our high quality properties and then expertly pushing the process through. We have an extremely advanced advertising campaign, a 24/7 Enquiry Line.

How will you advertise my property?

Enormously! All of our properties are advertised on Rightmove, Property Finder, Findaproperty, Globrix, Fish4Homes, PrimeLocation and all of their associated property websites. A bright Green and Burgundy for sale board is erected at every property to ensure you have local coverage. We will send out property details to all of our waiting Tenants and to anybody else who contacts us via our website or our 24 hour-a-day, 7 days a week Enquiry Line.

How does it work when somebody wants to view my property?

All requests for viewings come through to us. We will then qualify and vet each viewer and then agree with them a mutually suitable time to hold the viewing. Once the viewing has been conducted we will get the feedback from them, relaying it to you the same day.

Who deals with the rental negotiation on my property, if there is any?

All proposals will be made through us and confirmed to you by telephone. All negotiations will be carried out by our trained Letting Co-ordinators who will always act in your best interests until we reach an acceptable figure to you.

What is the process once we accept a Tenant Application?

Once you accept a Tenant Application we will sort out the tenancy agreement and paperwork. We will closely manage the rental through to the tenant moving in making sure all parties are working to your timescales.

Who carries out any repairs or maintenance?

Small repairs can be carried out by our contractors, or one of your choices, and their charges deducted from your account. For any larger scale repairs we will always seek your instructions prior to commencement. By law you are responsible for all repairs to the property with the exception of breakages caused by the tenants.

What happens if there are damages to the property at the end of the Tenancy?

Landlords, agents and tenants can all request the repayment of a deposit to the appropriate parties at the end of a tenancy either jointly or independently, online or by telephone.

If for any reasons there are any disputes with how the property has been left, the first course of action is to give the tenant an opportunity to rectify the problem. If the tenant does not rectify the situation satisfactorily, landlords and tenants alike can take advantage of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service attached to the scheme. The ADR is provided by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators who will aim to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action. They will continue to hold the disputed amount until the ADR or court decides what is fair.

Both parties must agree to use the service, and be bound by its decision with no recourse to the courts. The use of the ADR service is not compulsory, and if one or both of the parties do not agree to use the ADR service, a dispute can progress to court.

The scheme administrator will then divide and return the disputed amount based on the ADR services, or courts, decision. When one party requests a repayment, the other needs to confirm whether they agree with the proposal, by completing an acceptance form either online or by post.  Tenants will receive their deposit ID number in the post and all deposits are repaid within 10 working days of the correctly completed acceptance form being received by The DPS.

If you have any questions about this service call our office or visit: www.depositprotection.com for more information.

If I choose to sell the property during the Tenancy period where do I stand?

On the first day of the tenancy, we issue the section 21(b) notice to the tenant and explain to them what it is for. If you decide to sell the house within the 6 month contract, then two months written notice is necessary to request the tenant/s to leave at the end of the 6 month term.

If however the tenant fails to vacate the property, enforcement of this notice can only be arranged through the courts and finally bailiffs may have to be instructed if the tenants still refuse to leave.

What is the process if the tenant does not pay the rent?

At first we will give the tenant a call and let them know that they have fallen behind with heir payment. It will either be a late payment or we will discuss a repayment plan so that everyone is happy. Written confirmation will be sent outlining what the payment plan consist off.

If the tenant becomes two months behind or in ‘arrears’ then we can liase with yourself before issuing a Section 8 notice which relies on Grounds 8, 10 and 11 of Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, namely consistently late payment of rent as the main reason for evicting the tenant/s.

Unfortunately this process can take a long time to bear fruit due to administration and solicitors etc. It is well known that the law usually sides with the tenant in the majority of these cases if it is acknowledged that they are making an effort, however small, to bring the arrears down.

This is another factor that contributes to our desire to find the perfect tenant for your property.

Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate?

As of October 2008 EPC’s are legally required for any property that is being built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least.  It will help cut buildings’ carbon emissions and tackle climate change by suggesting ways to make the building more energy efficient.  The Lifestyle Letting Agency can provide EPC’s to all of our landlords. Please ask a representative for further information.

Tenant

How much is the Holding Fee for the property?

In order to reserve your chosen property we require a £100 holding fee. If you are accepted this fee will be refunded through the first months rent.

How much is your Administration Fee?

We charge £75 for referencing, credit checking and all the paperwork for the first tenant and £25 for any other tenant above the age of 18 for referencing, credit checking and all the paperwork. This fee is non-refundable if you decide not to take the property.

Do I need to contact the utility companies after I move in?

We as a letting agent are responsible for setting up your accounts with the utility companies when you move into your property and also when you leave. We will also take meter readings at the beginning and end of the tenancy.

When will the rent leave my account?

Rent is paid by a standing order mandate and will leave your account on the date you moved in of your Tenancy each month.

What happens if my rent is paid late?

If there are any problems with rental payments, please contact the office on 0845 456 9566 / 01706 823 131 to inform us. We will also send arrears letters for rent that remains outstanding beyond 7 days after it was due.

If I have any issues during my tenancy who do I liaise with?

If your property is managed by The Lifestyle Letting Agency please call our Lettings Team on 01706 823 131, or if your property is managed by the landlord then please contact him/ her direct.

If I want to leave at the end of my Tenancy what should I do?

One months Notice will need to be given verbally but also in writing prior to the Tenancy ending. Please send it to our Head Office.

What happens if I want to leave my Tenancy early?

The Tenant is liable for rent until the end of the contract. In certain cases the landlord may agree to re-market the property and once a new tenant is found, then your liability will be removed. You however will have to pay for costs from when the property is re-let for the inconvenience caused to the landlord and us as an agent.

When can I cancel the current standing order?

Once we have received the last months rent it is your duty to contact your bank directly to cancel your standing order.

What should I do with the keys at the end of the tenancy?

Unless it is a Let Only where we do not manage the property the keys should be taken to Lifestyle’s Head Office. Please ensure all sets are returned, a receipt is obtained and that this happens before 5.30pm on the last day of your tenancy.

What is the Tenant Deposit Scheme?

It is a Government run scheme which is designed to protect your deposit. Under legislation introduced in April 2007 all deposits being paid by a tenant for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy have to be registered with a Government deposit protection scheme within 10 days.

When do I receive my Deposit back?

Once the check-out Inventory has been completed, and everything is satisfactory, the landlord will give permission to return it to your account, less any agreed deductions. This is normally within 10 working days.

If for any reasons there are any disputes with how the property has been left, landlords and tenants alike can take advantage of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service attached to the scheme. The ADR is provided by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators who will aim to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action. They will continue to hold the disputed amount until the ADR or court decides what is fair.

If you have any further questions not mentioned, please contact Lifestyle Head Office on 0845 456 9566 / 01706 823 131.