Brooklands offers a comprehensive Letting and Management service run by a team of experienced and friendly staff. As a progressive company that has a strong interest in quality residential property of all types. We are here to give advice and information about the range of regulations governing Lettings together with general advice for both Landlords and Tenants.
Upon deciding that you would like to rent out your property there are many issues that are required to be handled in order to ensure that your Letting is authorised and safe and that it meets all of the legal requirements in accordance with current legislation governing Landlords in the U.K today.
Here are some of the important issues that will require to be dealt with prior to Letting.
THE PROPERTY
When Letting a property out a Landlord has a Legal obligation to ensure that the property is safe, and a moral obligation to ensure that the Property is let out in a clean, well maintained order.
GAS SAFETY (INSTALLATIONS AND USE) REGULATIONS 1994 (AS AMENDED)
All gas appliances have to carry a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate provided by a registered CORGI engineer, this certificate is required by law to be updated on an annual basis and failure to do this is a criminal offence and will result in prosecution.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1994, PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING (PAT TESTING)
Any electrical item that is portable (has a plug on it) that is to be left in the property will require to have a safety check carried out on it, in an effort to ensure that the appliance is not likely to harm or injure the Tenant during the course of it’s use. These safety checks have to be made regularly and failure to do this is a criminal offence and will result in prosecution.
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS (FIRE) REGULATIONS 1988 (AS AMENDED)
Any upholstered furniture to be left in the property during the Term of a Let must comply with the current regulations. All upholstered furniture must carry the correct labels attached to the furniture. Where there are no labels attached a receipt for the item of furniture confirming the date of the purchase would be sufficient evidence to prove the standard of the internal materials that have been used, it is an offence for non-compliant furniture to be solid in the UK. Items of furniture included in this regulation are: Sofas/settees/ armchairs, dining room furniture, conservatory furniture, cushions, pillows, high chairs, mattresses, headboards, stools, beanbags, (basically anything that has a ‘stuffing’ inside it).
In general the property has to be provided in a safe, clean condition, carpets, curtains and light fittings are mandatory.
It is recommended that a gardening contract is available for the duration of the Tenancy the cost of this can be reflected in the rental that is being requested for the property.
FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED?
The amount of rental income between furnished or unfurnished property is generally minimal, this can however be guided by the demand and the advice from our letting staff. We continually assess the response from any prospective Tenants and advise you accordingly, however always remember that any furniture placed into the property for the purposes of letting MUST comply with the Fire Regulations of 1988 (as amended) Any Electrical items also will require safety checking. We would provide an example inventory if required to guide as to the content of the property. Items of value, either monetary or sentimental MUST not be included.
It is general that carpets, curtains and light fittings are always included in a let whether termed as furnished or unfurnished.
TYPE OF TENANCY AGREEMENT
We utilise an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement which is the default Tenancy Agreement in the UK, this would have a minimum six month Term.
TYPE OF TENANT
We will offer your property to the market place and carry out the referencing on the prospective Tenants.
It is at the landlords discretion to limit the letting to tenants who have pets.
WHO WILL MANAGE YOUR PROPERTY WHILE TENANTED?
We can manage the property while it is Tenanted. This will remove the ‘hassles’ out of being a Landlord.
We provide a Full Management Service or a Letting Only Service:
FULL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
This includes the marketing of the property with the use of a ‘To let’ board where applicable, local advertising where applicable and the listing of the property on the Brooklands internet site. The referencing, drawing up a Tenancy Agreement, preparing an Inventory and schedule of condition where required, we can also take digital photographs of the rooms & property. Unlike other agents we do not charge an additional fee for this. Overseeing the signing of the Tenancy Agreement. The collection of the months rent in advance and the deposit on the day of the signing.
Monthly rent collection and the issuing of a monthly statement of account, mid term and final inspections reporting to the Landlord accordingly. Advising of change of occupancy and meter readings to utility companies at the beginning and end of the Tenancy. The day to day dealing of minor repairs, the overseeing of the end of the Tenancy and the returning of the deposits (if applicable).
LETTING ONLY SERVICES
This will include the marketing of the property as per full managed properties, the referencing procedure and the signing of the Tenancy Agreement. The first months rent will be collected along with the deposit. The Landlord will assume the role of collecting of the monthly rent, the mid term inspections, the final inspection and overseeing any required repairs on the property.
FEES
On the market appraisal the valuer will advise on the Agency fees for Letting your property as well as advising you regarding the fire regulations, gas regulations and electrical regulations, along with several other matters already mentioned.
The role of the Landlord is a very responsible one and not to be entered into lightly, the financial gain are appealing while the pitfalls are not so obvious but can be very costly. It is therefore very important that the Landlord seriously considers utilising the expertise and experience of the Brooklands residential Lettings Team who have vast experience and can confidently and successfully guide you down this sometimes hazardous path working solidly as a team along with the Landlord