Landlords Information

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Preparing the property

To achieve maximum rent it is necessary to present your property in the best possible condition. This will also help to attract quality tenants who are more likely to look after your property. Neutral decoration and carpets will of course make the property more appealing to a wider range of tenants. All rental properties must be cleaned before the tenants move in and tenants will be responsible for ensuring the property is left in the same condition when they vacate.

The majority of lets we deal with are on an 'unfurnished' basis. Therefore, the property should be presented as a 'blank canvas' for the tenant to visualise their own furnishings etc within the property.

Electrical Safety

All electrical equipment supplied in rented accommodation must comply with all current safety regulations. All electrical appliances within the property must be fitted with safety plugs.

Gas Appliances

It is a legal requirement that every gas appliance and gas central heating system has to be inspected on an annual basis by a qualified corgi approved contractor and a Gas Safety Certificate issued.

If requested, HOMEfinders will arrange for the safety inspection to be carried out on your behalf. This inspection must be carried out annually as the Gas Safety Certificate expires after 12 months. It has been proven time and again to be cost effective to have the boiler serviced at the same time as the safety inspection to reduce costs.

Insurance

Where necessary, all Landlords have a legal responsibility to obtain Buildings Insurance. You must inform the Insurance Company that the property is to be let. Building and Contents Insurance booklets are available from our office.

Rent

We will always seek to achieve the maximum rent for your property whilst at the same time, ensure the figure is justifiable to the tenant. The rent quoted will always include ground rent and maintenance but will be exclusive of council tax, water rates and services.

Landlords must be aware that rents cannot be guaranteed unless they have a rental guarantee insurance policy in force. Please note however that the rental guarantee does not normally cover the first month's rent.

Once rent payments have been received into our account, and the funds cleared, the rent will be transferred electronically to your bank account less our commission fees. A statement will follow shortly after by post or where possible by email.

Deposits

The HOMEfinders policy is to collect no less than one month's rent to be used as deposit. The deposit is retained in our client account and serves to ensure the tenant respects the property. The deposit can also be used as a safeguard against unpaid rent.

The deposit is returned to the tenant at the end of a tenancy upon confirmation from the landlord that the property has been left in good condition and that the rent has been paid in full.

If a Landlord wishes to make a claim against the Deposit, it must be remembered that deductions can be made for damage to the property but usual wear and tear is not an allowable deduction.

Repairs

Naturally, the tenant contacts us when something goes wrong at the property and as a matter of course, we then contact you. Often, the problem can be resolved quickly. However, you must resolve, or instruct us, to resolve the problem on your behalf with the minimum delay. Carrying out all repairs quickly ensures damage to the property is kept to the minimum and the tenants remain happy.

Where larger jobs are necessary e.g. roof repairs, boiler replacement, a quotation will be obtained and the Landlord contacted for approval.

Keys

We recommend you supply three full sets of keys for the property, one set which will be held by HOMEfinders in case of emergency.