Landlords Guidance

Being a landlord in this current climate is a lot more challenging than before, our Lettings Team understand this and are able to assist any relatively new landlords through the whole rental process without any hassle.

We will offer you advice on marketing your property to achieve its full financial potential. We can provide guidance on current legislation and managing your property or tenant to help ensure your property (and financial interests) are looked after right through any tenancy period.

We cover the whole range of rental properties and due to our thorough reference procedures we are constantly attracting high quality tenants and properties. We can offer you a tailor made solution designed to suit your needs - whether you require a ‘Let Only Service’, (where we find, check and move-in the tenant), or a ‘Letting & Rent Collection Service’ or even a ‘Letting & Fully Managed Service’, (where we look after every aspect of the tenancy). This gives you the freedom to advance onto your next project or enjoy your current success and life more.

In the first Instance, call the office on 0845 456 9566 / 01706 823 131 and our experts will guide you through and help coordinate the whole process.

Valuation

We provide a free rental appraisal. We assess a property’s rental value and provide any necessary guidance. We assess the realistic rental yield by visiting the property and using a comparable report of similar properties in the area, coupled with our own knowledge and also taking into account the property’s condition and any facilities in the surrounding areas, (e.g. schools, parks etc).

Agency Agreement

We enter into an agreement with all of our landlords – this agreement stipulates both the landlord’s and Lifestyle Letting’s responsibilities plus all the details of the services that we provide. We will not commence with a tenancy until we have received a signed Agency Agreement from you authorising us to act lawfully on your behalf.

Tenant

Suitable tenants will be found for your property plus reference and credit checking will be carried out.

Accompanied Viewings

We check all our applicants to help meet your criteria and will meet them at the property to gain feedback on what they thought and whether they met your requirements.

Tenancy Agreement

We will prepare a legal agreement in accordance with current legislation that suits your circumstances. Normally this will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy of 6 months and then renewable thereafter. This will enable you to re-occupy the property, if desirable, upon giving the tenant the required 2 months notice to end the tenancy at the appropriate time. The Tenancy commences on the date shown in the Tenancy Agreement.

Inventory

An Inventory of the contents and condition of the property is carried out prior to the tenancy start date. We also take the necessary meter readings to set up new accounts. A copy will be supplied both to the tenant and landlord.

Rent

Rents are payable by the tenant monthly to our Lifestyle Letting Client Account. We will then pay you promptly and direct via B.A.C.S payment ensuring swift delivery of your rent to the account of your choice. Along with rent payments we will provide you with monthly financial statements.

Deposit

We always collect a security deposit from the tenant to safeguard you from any damages. The deposit is then transferred into The Deposit Protection Service within 10 days. It is a Government-authorised service where the deposit is held securely with a trusted high street bank.

Keys

We will require at least two sets of keys to the property. One will be handed to the tenant on occupation while the other will be retained in our office for emergencies.

Legal/ Regaining Possession

Our close links with a first rate legal team, coupled with our expertise, ensure that we have all the help and advice required in times of need.

Inspections

We conduct regular periodic inspections of all tenanted properties, every 3-6 months approximately. If any aspect of the property needs attention we can inform you while at the same time ensure the tenant is looking after the property.

Repairs

Small repairs can be carried out by our contractors, or one of your choice, 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.

Fire & Furniture/Alarms

The Fire and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Fire and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety)(Amendment) Regulations 1993, mean that landlords have a duty of care to their tenants in respect of any furniture that is left in the property. We advise all of our landlords to install at least two smoke alarms in their properties.

Electrical

If electrical appliances are provided it is advised that they have a Portable Appliance test carried out annually by a qualified tradesman. It is also advised that all properties with wiring of 18 years or older have a House Wiring check done by a qualified individual.

Gas Safety

Where gas appliances are present at the property an in-date Gas Safety Certificate is absolutely essential. This is an annual legal requirement and must be carried out by a fully qualified and registered Gas Safe Engineer.

Rates and Services

Unless otherwise agreed, the responsibility for paying gas, electricity and water bills, plus council tax and telephone bills lies with the tenant.

Mortgages

The landlord must ensure that any mortgage lender is aware of any future lettings, and that the necessary permission is in-place to allow the property to be let beforehand.

Tax

For tax purposes the following can normally be deducted from the total rent received in a tax year:

· Any letting agency fees
· 10% of rent for depreciation of furnishings if appropriate
· Interest paid to the Mortgage Lender
· Insurance premiums
· Fair wear and tear plus any repair costs

You will then pay tax on the remainder of the rent. Overseas landlords will need to apply for an exemption certificate from the Inland Revenue. For a more comprehensive tax service we can arrange this for you.

Insurance

We can provide help and information on rent and legal protection insurance, plus buildings and contents insurance. It is important that you consider these.

Landlord Services & Fees

We find that our fees and quality professional service are very hard to match.

‘Full Management Service’ includes:

· Ensure the property is fit to be let/ re-let
· Marketing, advertising and conducting viewings at the property
· Find a suitable tenant for you and carry out the necessary reference and credit checks
· Create a Tenancy Agreement
· Draw up an Inventory or Statement of Condition
· Notify relevant utility companies at check in and check out
· Collect the rent and account to you each month
· Inspect your property periodically and advise you of its condition
· Recommend any necessary repairs and maintenance
· Assist with legal documentation and proceedings
· Rent Guarantee Protection - Optional
· Advise and assist on insurance and tax matters

For this Full Management Service we charge 10% plus VAT.

‘Let Only and Rent Collection Service’

This is where you feel confident enough to manage your own property. We will carry out the following for the ‘Let Only and Rent Collection Service’:

· Ensure the property is fit to be let/ re-let
· Marketing, advertising and conducting viewings at the property
· Find a suitable tenant for you and carry out the necessary reference and credit checks
· Create a Tenancy Agreement
· Draw up an Inventory or Statement of Condition
· Notify relevant utility companies at check in and check out
· Collect the rent and account to you each month
· Rent Guarantee Protection – Optional
· Assist with legal documentation and proceedings
· Advise and assist on insurance and tax matters

For this Let Only and Rent Collection Service we charge 7% plus VAT.

‘We do also provide a ‘Let Only Service’

We do also provide a 'Let Only or Tenant Finding Service'. (Only recommended if the landlord has significant property management experience).
· Ensure the property is fit to be let/ re-let
· Marketing, advertising and conducting viewings at the property
· Find a suitable tenant for you and carry out the necessary reference and credit checks
· Create a Tenancy Agreement
· Draw up an Inventory or Statement of Condition
· Collect the first months rent + Deposit
· Rent Guarantee Protection – Optional
· Advise and assist on insurance and tax matters

Thereafter we hand the tenant(s) over to you. The fee for this is property dependent.