In appointing Cardwells to find a suitable tenant and manage your property, you may be assured that we will look after your property to the highest of standards and so protect your best interests to the maximum.From the start we set out to ensure that we select the right tenant and to ensure maximum protection of your (our client's) best interest.The tenant does not have your contact details at all; you do not need to worry about being called, pestered etc etc. We are here to shield you from any of that, and, make your role as the landlord as easy and straightforward as possible. If there is a problem, the tenant speaks to usThe following covers some of the important services we provide as part of this process and highlights areas that you as the landlord may need to consider:
Thorough, objective tenant and guarantor referencing - Is one of the most important parts of a letting agents services. Our tenant selection process includes the most advanced and detailed report of our applicants and this is carried out independently.
Marketing - Your property will be marketed via our Estate Agency offices, advertised locally in the relevant newspapers and of course internet marketing on various property websites, including Cardwells.co.uk, findaproperty, Rightmove.co.uk and zoopla.co.uk. We will produce a fine brochure detailing room sizes and a photograph of various rooms plus garden etc.
Legal Requirement - Your property will be under a Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, the lease of a specified term of between 6 months and 2 years, usually for 12 months.
Gas Safety Certificate - Required for each and every gas appliance annually. You may provide it or we will arrange at cost price to us, usually £50.00.
Electrical Safety - The electrical system within the property and individual appliances must be safe to use. There is no equivalent (to gas) safety certificate however, the responsibility is still present and safety must be taken seriously. If in any doubt we advise that a suitable electric check is arranged and perhaps P.A.T on each appliance. Cardwells can arrange this but will obtain a quote and your approval prior to instructing the check.
EPC - Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement. This can be arranged for you at a cost of £60.00 or you can provide your own to us.
A Smoke Alarm - Where smoke alarms are fitted at a property you are responsible for ensuring that they are fully functional and fitted with new batteries before the tenant moves into the property.
Insurance - It is important that you have a suitable buildings insurance policy ie. A landlords policy. If you rely on any existing standard buildings insurance this may be invalid. Similarly you may want contents cover; again this needs to be a specialist policy. Cardwells can arrange a discounted quotation with the minimum of fuss, by asking the insurance company to contact you direct, thus ensuring that the policy is entirely appropriate, competitively priced and that all your questions are professionally answered. Better still call Rent Guardian direct on 01539 721736 for a quote, or for them to answer any questions you may have. You must arrange a suitable landlords Buildings Insurance Policy.
Mortgage - Legally you must notify your lender if you intend to rent out your property. Failure to do so may result in a breach of your mortgage terms and conditions. Remember if the tenant does not pay the rent, you still have the responsibility to pay the mortgage. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments and could be repossessed.
Residence / Domicile - In the event that the landlord takes up residence outside the United Kingdom, then in accordance with the Finance Act 1995, a deduction of income tax will be made until a valid exemption certificate is obtained from the Inland Revenue and ledged with Cardwells Property Management. This calculation will be done via our accountants.
Inventory - It is the landlord's responsibility to provide an inventory, however at no extra cost (other letting agents charge £40-£110). Cardwells will assist the landlord to create the inventory for attachment to the lease. This must be checked and signed for by tenant at handover/hand back of the property.
Furnishings - Any soft furnishings included must have a safety label attached and or a permanent label in respect of cigarette and matches ignition as contained in the 1988 safety regulations. Carelessness causes FIRE!
Deposit / Bond - To comply with current legislations, the bond/deposit is lodged by Cardwells with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) and Cardwells will issue a certificate of deposit to both the landlord and tenant. As the property is managed by Cardwells, we will arrange for repayment of the deposit to the tenant upon satisfactory hand back of the property. Cardwells will attempt to seek a satisfactory conclusion to any dispute that may arise as to repairs, damage, cleaning, gardening etc, and in the event of non agreement, provide expert witness to the DPS who act as arbitrator. The decision of disbursement/cost by the DPS is final and can take over six weeks to resolve.
Lease Signing - The short hold tenancy agreement will be prepared and checked by us. Tenant and Landlord will be invited to attend our office at a specific appointment to check the lease is correct, signature and payment by the tenant of the rent in advance and bond etc. Landlords must by now have provided Cardwells with their forwarding address, contact no, email and bank details, so that we can arrange ongoing payments.
Handover on Completion - Cardwells staff will meet the tenant at the agreed time and ideally the landlord should be present. We will have a 'Property Condition Form' which is completed room by room, noting any points relevant such as, existing damage, cleanliness etc, and also photographing all noted problems, each room and gardens etc for our file. This form is signed by the tenant as correct and agreed. The photographs taken can be emailed to landlord and or tenant if requested. The landlord must provide us with full details of service/utility providers including each account no. Cardwells will write to the gas, electric and water providers. Also needed are the details in relation to the Local Authority Council Tax. Again we write on behalf of the landlord and will provide a copy of the lease if required by the Local Authority.
During the Tenancy - Hopefully all goes smoothly; however, if there is a problem, your tenant calls Cardwells. We endeavour to sort things out with minimum inconvenience to you the landlord. Cardwells carry out periodic checks on the property at no extra charge unlike other Agents who charge up to £100 per visit / inspection.Repairs required that have been caused by the tenant are the tenants responsibility to repair / renew at own their own costs. The landlord has a responsibility for ongoing maintenance, eg: repair leaking gutter. Cardwells will attempt to define and negotiate agreement as appropriate.
Hand Back of Property - Cardwells and ideally the landlord attend by appointment. Check the property condition, note meter readings etc and arrange return of deposit or otherwise as appropriate.Note: Unlike other letting agencies, Cardwells do not charge for service for handover / hand back or interim inspection fees. Our management fee is all inclusive.
Ready to Market Your Property? - So are we. We open 7 days a week and hope to be of service to you.
