If you have several properties in your lettings portfolio, then why not let us handle the workload for you with our lettings ‘Full Management Service’?
In addition to the ‘Tenant Find Only’ Service, our experienced lettings staff will also:
– Tenant’s deposit
We will collect a deposit from the prospective Tenant at the start of the tenancy to cover any dilapidations and damage to the property. This will usually be equivalent to five weeks' rent. Under the Full Management service we will hold the deposit on behalf of all parties as Stakeholder and enter the deposit into the government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme – my|deposits. For further information regarding the tenancy deposit scheme, click the following link www.mydeposit.co.uk.
Under the ‘Tenant Find Only’ service the deposit can be paid over to the Landlord to hold in their chosen scheme but we must see a proof of registration with an appropriate tenancy deposit protection scheme.
– Marketing the rental property
The better your property is presented in terms of décor, the quicker it will let and the higher the rental price achieved. In the current competitive market there is much to choose from and a property in a poor state will be low on any prospective tenant’s list.
Our dedicated lettings department advertise rental properties on the internet, which attracts quality tenants, particularly those moving from outside the area.
In addition to promoting the property on our own website we will also promote the property online through the largest internet portal in the UK: www.rightmove.co.uk.
– Tenant references
We use a private company to conduct our referencing. The referencing looks back over the tenant’s history for the past three years on: financial, employment, previous properties either in rented or homeowners and credit history.
– Overseas landlords
If you are going to reside outside the UK, we are legally bound by the Taxes Management Act 1970 to deduct tax from your rental income at the basic rate and pay these monies to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis.
Landlords who reside overseas may apply to the Inland Revenue for approval to receive their income without deduction of tax. For more information go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr. We are not tax advisors therefore we recommend you seek independent advice if you are thinking of moving abroad.
– Letting mortgaged properties
You must have consent from your lender to rent out your property and they may request that you change your mortgage to a buy-to-let, or that the letting must be in a certain legal format. Our tenancy agreements meet these requirements.
– Buildings insurance
As a landlord, it is your legal responsibility to have the building fully insured. Whilst contents insurance is not a legal requirement, we recommend it is covered along with third party and tenant liability insurance cover. If you like, we can put you in contact with a specialist letting insurance broker.
– Leasehold properties
If the property is leasehold you must ensure that the Head Lease allows you to sub-let, and gain consent from the freeholder or managing agent. In addition, you should check for any covenants in the Head Lease which the Tenants must adhere to.
– Transfer of utilities
Gas, Electricity, Water Charges and Council Tax are normally the responsibility of the Tenant. We will arrange for meters to be read and the relevant utility companies informed.
– Energy Performance Certificates
It is a legal requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property. The EPC is valid for 10 years. The purpose of the certificate is to show the tenant how energy efficient the property is prior to moving in. A property cannot be marketed without an EPC. Our trained staff at Alasdair Morrison Lettings can arrange an EPC for you.
