Landlord Information
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What is the fee structures for letting agents? Do you charge the tenant or me?
Obviously fees vary and each letting agent will have their own scale of charges and terms and conditions of business. They cover letting the property; or letting and rent collection; or letting and full management.
What do you do for your money?
Introduce and vet prospective tenants; prepare the tenancy agreements; prepare & maintain inventories, advise changes to utility accounts and Council Tax; collect the rent and pay the balances to the landlord’s account. When retained on management: pay bills for the landlord, regularly inspect the property, recommending, overseeing and accounting for necessary maintenance.
What kind of tenancy agreement should you use?
A tenancy agreement that complies with the Housing Act 1988, or under contract law for bona fide companies and/or rental values over £25,000 a year. Most Agents will have their own ‘in-house’ tenancy agreement drafted by solicitors, incorporating clauses covering the potential problem areas experienced agents recognise. These agreements should be far more comprehensive than the standard printed agreements bought for self-completion and are regularly up-dated to take account of changes in legislation.
Is letting safe? Can I get my property back?
Yes. It’s safe provided the tenancy agreements are properly drawn up and the correct Notices served. Then, in those cases where legal action is needed for repossession the court should make an order in the landlord’s favour. New Accelerated Court Procedures speed up the process, without the necessity for a court hearing and take the hassle out of the very occasional problem.
What if the tenant wants to extend the term of the let?
This is very common, presenting no problem provided both parties agree and a professional agent conducts the negotiations and prepares the necessary paperwork and renewal documentation.
What about inventories?
These are essential and it is recommended that an inventory is made by a professional to avoid omissions or errors. They should always be made at the start and finish of the tenancy to identify missing items, breakage’s and damages liable to be covered out of the tenant’s deposit.
Obvious legislation aside, what other regulations could affect me?
Regulations are constantly changing, particularly with regard to safety. Currently these cover furnishings, gas and electrical installations. New regulations came into force in 1996 on responsibility for tax liabilities on rental income for non-UK resident landlords.
What insurance covers can protect a landlord?
There are two types of cover for use when letting property: Legal expenses cover available to most landlords and rental insurance cover available through some agents calculated as a percentage of the rent achieved. You must be certain to insure your property for letting and the possible empty periods between lets.
What does your agent do if it all goes wrong?
Solicitors have to be instructed on your behalf to take the tenant to court to regain possession, or correct whatever breach of contract the tenant has committed. An experienced agent will know when this is unavoidable, will advise of likely costs and timescales, can instruct solicitors on your behalf, make all appropriate files available to them, appear as a witness and do everything to facilitate a speedy solution.
As a landlord or a tenant, I want to know, What is Management?
Management is a service provided by the agent to protect and maintain a property to the standard it was in at the beginning of the tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted. It includes all maintenance and running repairs, except for those items that are clearly the tenant’s responsibility. These were expressed by Lord Denning when he said “The tenant must take proper care of the premises ..... he must do the little jobs around the house which a reasonable tenant would do”. Both landlord and tenant should clearly understand whether or not management services have been agreed at the outset.
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