Chelton Brown , Northampton

Chelton Brown has experience in renting many properties across Northamptonshire. We have collated information regarding the popular areas for those who are looking to invest in the area.

We frequently have one, two and three bedroom houses and apartments¿ available as well as four, five bedroom properties and the occasional six bedroom property.

One, two and three bed properties tend to be let quicker (when in a good condition) than the bigger properties which only appeal to a niche market.

The most popular areas in Northampton are: Town centre (Derngate, Southbridge), Duston, St.Crispins, Upton, East Hunsbury, West Hunsbury, Wootton Fields, Grange Park and Abington.

Popular Northampton villages include: Harpole, Little Brington, Great Brington, Upper Harlestone, Lower Harlestone, Hardingstone, Earls Barton, Little Billing and Great Billing.

When you are looking to buy a property for investment purposes; whether it is a new investment or an addition to your portfolio we can provide you with Investment advice.

Initially you need a market property rental assessment. This is free of charge with no obligation to proceed past this stage.

A look around internally of the property will allow a clearer idea of achievable market rental income.

Factors that affect the appraisal:

• The type of property e.g. semi-detached, detached, cottage, apartment.
• The location of the property.
• The number of bedrooms.
• If it comes with a garage and whether it is a single or a double garage.
• If it has a garden and the size.
• The parking facilities; street parking/ driveway/ private parking. 
• The internal condition of the property; decor and furnishings.
• If it is being offered on a furnished or unfurnished basis.
• The condition of the property rental market will also affect the price.

Our Valuation Negotiator will explain the market rental appraisal, safety certificate requirements, our property management service and our fees.

Additionally we offer an unique property portfolio service.

We are one of the biggest letting agents in Northamptonshire and have been established in the property industry for 35 years. We have a property management portfolio of over 1200 properties. Our Northampton office covers the town centre, the surrounding villages towards Wellingborough, Milton Keynes and towards our Daventry office. Our Daventry office covers surrounding villages towards Northampton, Rugby, Towcester and Banbury.

We specialise in Lettings - we are motivated by the investment not the sale.

We continuously lead the way in the lettings industry with our marketing strategy by becoming the first in Northamptonshire to use To Let Boards, Window cards, property lists, advertise in magazines and more recently advertise on Twitter, Facebook and have our own free downloadable iPhone app. This means we are always looking for new and innovative ways to showcase your properties to a wider audience.

We strongly believe in offering a premier management service to our landlords.

Please read our testimonial page which comprises of reviews from our landlords and tenants.

ARLA - The Association of Residential Letting Agents

ARLA are the professional self-regulating body to be solely concerned with lettings and letting agents.

Every year, unlicensed agents cause Britain's homebuyers, sellers and renters unnecessary stress and hassle - and sometimes loss of money - by giving incorrect or misleading advice or offering poor standards of customer service.

Membership of the Association is through formal qualification ensuring that ARLA member agents have the knowledge and experience to guide you through your property transaction as smoothly and painlessly as possible. Operating under strict rules of conduct, members must meet certain standards relating to professional and ethical practice. Under the rules, agents are required to protect and promote their client's interests, while at all times acting in a fair and proper manner. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer at the hands of malpractice by an ARLA letting agent, the Association can take disciplinary action on your behalf.

You are better protected and will get higher standards from ARLA members!

Once you have instructed us on your property we endeavour to take good care of it. We want to find you a quality tenant for your quality property.

Chelton Brown Marketing

Marketing your property is key. We make sure your property is accessible to prospective tenants by:

• Including a detailed entry on our property list
• Displaying a Window card of the property in the front windows of our town centre based offices
• Erecting an To Let board
• A detailed property entry on our website and phone apps
• A detailed property entry on all major property portals
• Matching active prospective applicants from our up-to-date database.

Separately we do advertise to promote our name by driving Chelton Brown branded cars, within R magazine, NorthantsLife, Business Times and through Heart radio, Business Networking and Social media - Twitter, facebook, LinkedIn.

Lettings

Both of our Northampton and Daventry offices are open six days a week with a late viewing option; Monday to Thursday till 7.30pm. Northampton and Daventry offices are staffed with experienced property professionals all highly motivated and eager to let your property as fast as possible to the most suitable tenant.

• All tenants are qualified with our strict criteria before viewings at the property take place so as to not waste your time, theirs and ours.
• Once a tenant is secured, our Lettings team will call you and give you some background information regarding your new tenant.
• They will ensure the tenant provides all necessary paperwork to start the referencing procedure.

Administration

Full credit referencing

Upon completion of the tenancy application a full credit reference takes place which checks:

• Credit history
• Associated addresses
• Employment reference
• Previous landlord's reference if applicable.

Only once satisfactory references have been received, will the tenancy be allowed to commence.

Tenancy agreements

The tenancy agreements we use are based on the approved ARLA agreement, which has been fully legally checked and is proven to be reliable in a court of law. The tenancy is usually for six a month renewable periods, to suit the needs of the landlord and tenant.

Tenancy Renewals

On the third month of the tenancy you will be contacted regarding the tenancy renewal. At this point you have three choices:

1. Offer the existing tenants a further term.
2. Issue the tenants notice to terminate the tenancy at the end of the term.
3. Offer a tenancy renewal, with a break clause to incorporate some flexibility.

If we do not get a response from the landlord, to ensure continuity we would offer a renewal of tenancy.

Accounts

Our professional accounts team monitor the rents received by your tenant and ensure payments are received within five working days. They also credit control if the need arises due to non-payment.

We have managed to half the rent arrears since April 2011 and the percentage overall is between 6 and 8%. Obviously we would like to keep this target all the way through 2012. The national average is over 12% so we are proud of our achievements.

Due to the recovering economy we would always recommend Landlords take out rent protection insurance. In the case of non-payment the Landlord will receive the rent plus payment for court costs to remove the tenant.

Property Management

Now that your property is successfully let to the right applicant you will be assigned a personal fully ARLA trained and qualified Property Manager. Your Property Manager will manage your property, the tenants and repair issues.

This includes:

Inventory of the property condition - a document with thorough notes and photographs that are taken as proof of the property condition. This document forms part of the tenancy agreement and its contents may be used as evidence in court if required.

Gas and electrical safety certificates - making sure the property meets all the legal requirements. 

Signing of the tenancy agreement and move in - we conduct a move in appointment to go over the legalities of signing the tenancy agreement before handing over the keys. The tenants must sign for the keys and verify the inventory of the property.

Property visits - regular visits to check that the tenants are complying with the terms of the tenancy agreement. Each time a report is made, both tenant and landlord receive a copy. The landlord is advised of any repair issues that are raised and any considered breaches of the tenancy agreement.

Repairs and maintenance - you will be advised of any repairs requested and any actions required. If instructed to do so we will arrange and organise repairs using either contractors from our list or the landlords preferred contractor. Invoices for repairs are deducted from rent.

Final inspection - once the tenant has vacated a final inspection will be carried out. The original inventory is checked. The tenant is charged for any repairs and cleaning that is needed, which is considered beyond fair wear and tear. The landlord is notified of this and advised on the on-going condition of the property and what is required for a quick re-let.

Call Chelton Brown today for a professional letting and property management service.