Landlords Info
If you currently own or intend to purchase residential property for rental
in Forest Row and surrounding areas, you should consider engaging our
property management service. You'll find it both professional and
cost-effective. With our knowledge and experience in managing our own
portfolio, we believe that we are able to offer you complete and
professional service. We know how to manage property for optimum
performance, whilst ensuring smooth running tenancies, and compliance with
the various landlord/tenant laws. We have different options available,
whether you wish for us to find you a tenant or engage with our full
management scheme, to give you complete peace of mind knowing that your
property is being looked after by professional and competent tradesmen from
Douch Partners Building Contractors. We can help
you Maximise the
return on your investment - contact us
now to arrange a free rental appraisal of your property. If you own or
intend purchasing residential property for rental in any other area, please
go to our UK Network page.
The following section breaks down the three levels of
service and management that Douch Partners
Letting & Property Management Ltd can provide you and your property:
Tennant
Introduction – The fee is 50% of one months
rent,-:
Ideal for landlords who are able to
care to all matters of a tenancy, but would like help finding a suitable
tenant.
- Visiting you at your property, and
providing a rental valuation and any other advice which you may
require about letting your property.
- Advising you on compliance with the
various safety regulations.
- Locating suitable tenants. Your property
will be advertised on our website, in the press and our details:
‘TO LET’ board if required, and matched against our tenant
database.
- Accompanying tenant applicants to view the
property.
- Carrying out quality credit checks and
obtaining and evaluating references.
- Preparing a suitable tenancy agreement and
arranging signature by the tenant.
- Collecting the security deposit of 1 ½ months
from the tenant.
- Set up standing order for future rent
payments
- Collecting the first months rent and
passing the tenancy over to the landlord
Rent Collection – 10% of the monthly rent for the duration of
the tenancy.
A service for landlords who do not
wish to be involved in the collection of rent, but have the time and to be
able to deal with tenants problems and maintenance issues.
In addition the Tenant Introduction
this service includes:
- Collecting and holding as stakeholders a
deposit of 1 ½ months rent (bond) from the tenant.
- Preparing an inventory and schedule of
condition. If the property is furnished a specialist may be involved
in taking inventory at you cost.
- Checking the tenant into the property and
agreeing the inventory.
- Read utility meters and supervising the
transfer of gas, electricity and council tax accounts into the
tenant's name.
- Receiving rental payments monthly in
advance, and paying you promptly, together with a detailed statement
from our computerised management systems.
Full Management –12 ½% of the monthly rent rent
for the duration of the tenancy.
This service is ideal for landlords resident outside the area or landlords who
wish not to have any personal involvement with the property or Tenants:
In addition to the above services
this options offers the added benefit of full management at an affordable
fee:
- If required paying regular outgoings for
you from rental payments.
- Inspecting the property periodically, and
reporting any problems to you.
- Arranging any necessary repairs or
maintenance, first liaising with you in the case of larger works.
- Keeping in touch with the tenant on a
routine basis, and arranging renewals of the agreement as necessary.
- Checking tenants out as required, re-letting
and continuing the process with the minimum of vacant periods to
ensure that you receive the optimum return from your property.
There are no other standard fees or charges. No up front charges -
nothing to pay until a tenant moves in and starts paying rent. Save immediately – No VAT to
pay!
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Guide for Landlords
Before a property can be let, there are several matters which the owner
will need to deal with to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly, and also
that he/she complies with the law. For brief details of a subject click on
a blue link below, or scroll down the page. If you require further advice
or assistance with any matter, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Mortgage
If your property is mortgaged, you should obtain your mortgagee's written consent
to the letting. They may require additional clauses in the tenancy
agreement of which you must inform us.
Leaseholds
If you are a leaseholder, you should check the terms of your lease, and
obtain the necessary written consent before letting.
Sub-letting
If you are a tenant yourself, you will require your landlord's consent.
Insurance
You should ensure that you are suitably covered for letting under both your
buildings and contents insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may
invalidate your policies. We can advise on Landlord's Legal Protection, and
Landlord's Contents insurance if required.
Bills
and regular outgoings
We recommend that you arrange for regular outgoings e.g. mortgage, service
charges, maintenance contracts etc. to be paid by standing order or direct
debit. However, where we are Managing the property, by prior written
agreement we may make payment of certain bills on your behalf, provided
such bills are received in your name at our office, and that sufficient
funds are held to your credit.
Council tax
Council tax is the responsibility of the occupier. You should inform your
local collection office that you are leaving the property. During vacant
periods the charge reverts to the owner. When unoccupied but furnished, the
charge is 50% of the normal rate. When unoccupied and 'substantially'
unfurnished, there is no charge for the first six months, and thereafter a
charge of 50% of the normal rate.
The inventory
It is most important that an inventory of contents and schedule of condition
be prepared, in order to avoid misunderstanding or dispute at the end of a
tenancy. Without such safeguards, it will be impossible for the landlord to
prove any loss, damage, or significant deterioration of the property or
contents. In order to provide a complete service to the landlord, we will
if requested arrange for a member of staff to prepare an inventory and
schedule of condition, at a cost to be quoted.
Income tax
When the landlord is resident in the UK, it is entirely his
responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received, and
to pay any tax due. However, where the landlord is resident outside the UK
during a tenancy, under new rules effective from 6 April 1996, unless an
exemption certificate is held, we as landlord's agents are obliged to
retain and forward to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis, an amount
equal to the basic rate of income tax from rental received, less certain
expenses. An application form for exemption from such deductions is
available from this Agency, and further information may be obtained from
the Inland Revenue.
Important safety regulations
The following safety requirements are the responsibility of the owner (the
landlord), and where we are to manage the property, they are also ours as
agents. Therefore to protect all interests we ensure full compliance with
the appropriate regulations, at the owner's expense.
Gas Appliances &
Equipment
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (amended 1996)
and some other regulations, all gas appliances in tenanted premises must be
checked for safety at intervals of not more than 12 months, by a CORGI
registered gas engineer, and a safety certificate issued. Records must be
kept of the dates of inspections, of defects identified, and of any remedial
action taken.
Electrical Appliances
& Equipment
Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs &
Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and some other regulations,
electrical installations and equipment in tenanted premises must be safe.
Although (unlike gas) no safety certificate is legally required, and
therefore it may be adequate to perform a visual check of electrical
equipment, fittings and leads, it is recommended that a qualified
electrician be engaged for this purpose.
Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended
1989, 1993 & 1996) provide that specified items supplied in the course
of letting property must meet minimum fire resistant standards. The
regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, and beds, headboards and
mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture,
garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows,
and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique
furniture or furniture made before 1950, bed clothes including duvets,
loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping
bags. Therefore all relevant items as above must be checked for compliance,
and non-compliant items removed from the premises. In practice, most (but
not all) items which comply must have a suitable permanent label attached.
Items purchased since 1.3.90 from a reputable supplier are also likely to
comply.
General
Product Safety
The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 specify that any product
supplied in the course of a commercial activity must be safe. In the case
of letting, this would include both the structure of the building and its
contents. Recommended action is to check for obvious danger signs - leaning
walls, broken glass, sharp edges etc., and also to leave operating manuals
or other written instructions about high risk items, such as hot surfaces,
electric lawnmowers, etc. for the tenant.
Preparing the property for letting
We have found from experience that a good relationship with tenants is the
key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers the relationship part
is our job, but it is important that the tenants should feel comfortable in
their temporary home, and that they are receiving value for their money.
This is your job. Our policy of offering a service of quality and care
therefore extends to our tenant applicants too, and we are pleased to
recommend properties to rent which conform to certain minimum standards.
Quality properties attract quality tenants.
General
condition
Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems
must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are
at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.
Appliances
Similarly, appliances such as washing machine, fridge freezer, cooker,
dishwasher etc. should be in usable condition. Repairs and maintenance are
at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.
Decorations
Interior decorations should be in good condition, and preferably plain,
light and neutral.
Furnishings
It is recommended that you leave only minimum furnishings,
and these should be of reasonable quality. It is preferable that items to
be left are in the property during viewings. If you are letting
unfurnished, we recommend that the property contains carpets, curtains, and
a cooker.
Personal items,
ornaments etc
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed
from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some
items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the owner's risk. All
cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the tenant's own use.
Gardens
Gardens should be left
neat, tidy and rubbish-free, with any lawns cut. Tenants are required to
maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the
necessary tools. However, few tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you
value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish us to
arrange maintenance visits by our regular gardener.
Cleaning
At the commencement of a tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean
condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenant's responsibility
to leave the property in similar condition. Where they fail to do so,
cleaning should be arranged at their expense.
Mail forwarding
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service.
Application forms are available at their counters, and the cost is minimal.
It is not the tenant's responsibility to forward mail.
Information for
the tenant
It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant on operating the
central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system, and
the day refuse is collected etc.
Keys
You should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Where we are Managing
we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required.
For more information or to arrange a free rental appreciable please
contact:
Douch Partners Letting & Property Management Ltd
info@douchlettings.co.uk, Tel.: 01342
826155
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