Advice for Landlords
The advice given on these pages is by no means exhaustive, but we have aimed to include the main points and recommend you read these notes carefully. If there is any point on which you require clarification, or any matter, which we have not covered, we shall be pleased to discuss this further with you.
It is in your own interests before vacating the property to arrange with the Post Office for re-direction of mail. We hold the appropriate forms in the office. Please note that neither tenant nor we can be held responsible for mail addressed to you at the property, which may go astray. If we re-direct mail to clients who are overseas, postage charges will be made.
Leasehold Property
If you are lessee and pay periodical payments to an estate “Management Company” you should arrange to pay these direct or advise us that you require these payments to be met from the rental income. During void periods, however, you would be responsible to pay any amounts direct. You may also need to notify the Freeholder/Management Company of your intention to let the property and gain necessary permission.
Utilities
On vacating your home, you must contact the water board, gas, electricity and telephone companies to arrange for final readings to be taken and for payment of final accounts. We will arrange readings to be taken at the date a tenancy commences and for the appropriate companies to be informed of the tenant’s name. We will also arrange for readings to be taken at the termination of the tenancies and for accounts to be forwarded on to the tenant
Coucil Tax
Tenants are responsible for their own Council Tax payments, except in the case of a property being vacant where a reduced sum is payable by the landlords. We are not experts in this field, and the Rates Office judges each case on its merits. If you have any queries these should be directed to the rates Office. However, it has been stressed by the Council Tax Departments that Landlords will not be liable if tenants are in default of payments. Rules may change. We will keep landlords informed of the new rules relating to this tax.
Tenants
When enquiries are received from prospective tenants, a comprehensive tenant assessment, including a credit check, will be made. We are reluctant to let properties to anyone who is not in full time employment. However, in the light of the current economy countrywide, some landlords may be prepared to accept tenants on low income in receipt of benefit. We do not grant tenancies on behalf of landlords to such tenants without prior consent of the landlord. We also undertake to inform the landlord as soon as possible if the tenant is made redundant.
Payment of Rent
Rent collection will be accounted to you on a monthly basis, after deduction of the appropriate management fee and VAT. We prefer to pay the rent to the landlord directly into their bank or building society account. Because of current regulations we would require a pre-printed paying in book, which also provides proof that the money has been paid into your account. Please allow at least 14 days’ clearance from the rent day on the Tenancy Agreement to receipt of cleared funds in your account.
