Landlord frequently asked questions
As a landlord, you are sure to have a few questions, we have tried to answer the most usual ones here, but if we haven’t please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why should I use a letting agency?
Using a letting agent means that as a landlord you don’t need to sacrifice your personal time and take on the associated responsibility for letting out and managing the property. When looking for an agent consider factors such as how they will market the property, how they will conduct viewings, their high street presence and their available pool of quality tenants.
For a downloadable free checklist on how to select the right letting agent to ensure the protection of both your money and your property by partnering with a professional agency
How will the rental value of my property be determined
We will complete a full and free evaluation of your property, taking into account how it compares to other properties in the surrounding area as well as considering local rental market conditions. We can then give you an estimate of its monthly rental value. It is important to remember that if a property’s rental value is over-estimated it may result in an extended empty period (void). Get in touch to get a free rental valuation of your property.
Do I need to change my insurance when renting my property?
In many instances standard home insurance cover will not for a range of scenarios that can arise when letting out a property. It is therefore a good idea to have specialised landlord insurance to cover your property. You will need to insure the property itself and any contents, such as furniture and appliances that you provide. Tenants are responsible for insuring their own contents left in the property
Do I need to change my insurance when renting my property?
In many instances standard home insurance cover will not for a range of scenarios that can arise when letting out a property. It is therefore a good idea to have specialised landlord insurance to cover your property. You will need to insure the property itself and any contents, such as furniture and appliances that you provide. Tenants are responsible for insuring their own contents left in the property
If I decide to rent out my property do I have to let my mortgage provider know
Yes. You will need to obtain permission from your mortgage lender to let out your property. If they impose any special conditions you will need to let us know. If the property has a buy-to-let mortgage then permission has already been granted
What is an Energy Performance Certificate and do I have to have one?
It is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the UK to have an EPC. It measures the energy efficiency of a property using a scale of A-G. The certificate itself is valid for 10 years and can be used for multiple tenancies within that time. Your local office can advise on how to obtain the certificate through a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor
What happens to the tenants deposit once it has been received?
t is a legal requirement that the deposit is registered with one of the three Government approved deposit schemes when the tenant moves in. We manage this for you and provide the tenant with a comprehensive document that explains this arrangement in full.
Who will conduct viewings and do I need to be present?
There is no need for you to be present at viewings as long as you have already given us a set of keys beforehand. One of our lettings team will show prospective tenants through the property and will be on hand to answer any questions. We will then provide you with feedback afterwards.
What is an inventory and how does it work?
An inventory is a record of the condition of the property and its contents. Some inventories are supported with photos and / or video inventories. Once it is completed it needs to be checked and signed by all parties when the tenant moves in.
We complete the inventory as part of our service.
What is a Guarantor responsible for?
A guarantor is any person known to the tenant who would be willing to support them throughout their tenancy and indemnify you against all costs and associated issues that may arise during the Tenancy. If the tenant has a poor credit rating or failed the reference check as their income did not fall above the required amount for your monthly income, then we recommend adding a guarantor.
The Guarantor would be required to pay any outstanding rents and cover damage expenses that may be over and above the security deposit amount. Guarantors are usually family members but more importantly, they must earn or have in savings 33 times the monthly rent.
Who has to pay the council tax on your property
A tenant is normally responsible for paying the council tax during the tenancy (as long as this is stated in the Tenancy Agreement). However when the property is vacant the responsibility falls back on the landlord or homeowner
Who organises repairs and maintenance on my property?
If you are on our fully managed package, we take full responsibility liaising with the tenant and coordinating any necessary works approved by the landlord. We have an extensive network of trusted local < tradesmen and contractors who are regularly used to complete repairs or vital maintenance work when needed. If you used our services simply to find you a tenant, then you would be responsible for arranging any work that needs doing
Who is responsible for the TV licence?
If the landlord provides a television then they are expected to pay for the TV licence. The responsibility on who has to pay for the licence is usually stated in the Tenancy Agreement
What happens if my tenant fails to pay their rent?
We will chase all late and unpaid rent if your property is either on the rent collection or fully managed service. We can advise landlords with the appropriate course of action should the tenant not clear the debt or if they fail to vacate the premises
Can’t find the anwer? Get in touch
Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, we’d love to hear from you and offer our expert advice, at no cost to you.