Every Landlord would like a good tenant, a good rent reliable and quickly.

We can tailor our service to suit your requirements.  We offer a choice of packages which enables you the Landlord to be involved as much or as little as you would like.

Our Landlords have listed the following attributes, when searching for a Letting Agent:-

• Honesty of Agent with regards to the information provided.
• Quality of Proposed Tenant and not trying to let at any cost.
• Matching Property to the prospective tenant.
• Realistic rental being asked not trying to offer the highest to impress landlord to gain letting instruction.
• Advertising coverage offered through portals ie Rightmove, Nethouseprices.com
• Accurate spec re property details and quality pictures
• Good communication between agent and owner with a single point of contact for the owner.
• Regular checks of the property.
• Any problems / issues to be referred to owner as soon as possible.
• Use of reliable tradesmen for any work necessary.
• Update owner with any new laws or services requirements which they may not be aware of. This is particularly relevant for owners living abroad.
• Keep owners aware of current rates being charged for similar properties so that their rent can be kept in line with others.
• A sense of humour to be maintained at all times!

• Remove all personal items and clean the property ready for occupancy
• Does everything work? Make sure you have fixed any issues with the window and door locks, lighting, heating, water, appliances, phone, television and internet connections. 
• Ensure any white goods/electrical items are in safe working order and there are instruction manuals available for their safe use

• Supply and fit curtain rails, towel rails, toilet roll holders and robe hooks
• Fit hardwearing wooden or vinyl floors to high traffic and wet areas such as halls, kitchens and bathrooms
• Ensure any grout used in the kitchen or bathroom is clean and replace if necessary
• Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free with the lawns cut
• Gardening tools can be left to assist tenants with maintaining the garden
• Arrange the gas safety check for all gas appliances
• Inform your mortgage company
• Arrange to have your mail forwarded
• If you are going overseas, arrange for an accountant to handle your tax affairs
• Notify the telephone company and utility suppliers of your departure and forwarding address
• If applicable notify Managing Agents of your intention let and ensure they have up to date contact details for you.
• If renting furnished, ensure the furniture conforms to the legal fire resistant standard.
• Are there enough smoke alarms and do they work?

Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the tenants and their visitors have a safe environment in which to live. Safety regulations are regularly revised and penalties for none compliance can be severe. A brief summary of obligations are detailed below.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPCs)

As from the 1st October 2008, all properties being marketed for sale or for let are required to have an Energy Performance Assessment undertaken and a certificate produced. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy costs. An EPC is valid for 10 years. We can arrange this on your behalf.

GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATES

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances or installation pipe work in the property is maintained in a safe condition so as to prevent risk of injury to any person by ensuring that all such appliances and pipe work are checked annually by an approved Gas Safe registered engineer and a certificate (cp12) is provided. We can arrange this on your behalf.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1994

New regulations have been introduced to improve safety in rented residential accommodation. Although not a legal requirement for an electrical safety certificate (except in the case of all HMOs), the Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations state that landlords must ensure electrical equipment and systems are safe and maintained to a safe condition during the tenancy

Fixed wiring circuits should be checked for safety. The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) recommends that this is carried out every 10 years in a domestic environment.

Landlords should ensure that electrical equipment is safe and will not cause danger and that it satisfies the safety requirements of the 1994 regulations. It is recommended that the manufacturer's instructions be provided wherever possible for each appliance that is supplied; this will help to ensure that the tenant uses the equipment safely.

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1993 (amended) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bedcovers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Items which comply will have a suitable permanent label attached stating the compliance. Non-compliant items must be removed before a tenancy commences.

SMOKE ALARMS

Although not mandatory; we would recommend that all properties are fitted with a smoke alarm (ideally one on each floor of the property). Most Gas Safe Plumbers recommend the fitting of a carbon monoxide tester, although not a legal requirement, failure to take adequate precautions could lead to a landlord being prosecuted. Alarms are reasonably priced and relatively easy to fit. Since June 1992, building regulations state that it is mandatory for all new buildings to be fitted with mains powered smoke alarms. East Sussex Fire Brigade will carry out a free fire safety check and install a free 10 year smoke alarm for all properties. More information can be found on www.esfrs.org/communitySafety/

Having an Inventory/Schedule of Condition is one of the most important aspects of a tenancy. We employ the services of an established and experienced independent inventory provider.

Following the introduction of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the inventory and check out report are vital in allocating the deposit refund where maintenance and cleaning charges are in dispute.

The Dispute Service cannot adjudicate where there is no agreed and signed copy of an inventory/schedule of condition dated at commencement of the tenancy. The check out report is also required to be an accurate record. Many agents substantiate the inventory with the support of photographs both of the check in and check out.

Even an unfurnished property needs an accurate Inventory and Schedule of Condition, compiled before the start of the tenancy. This will note the condition of decorations, fixtures and fittings, white goods, floor coverings and outside areas. It can also note manuals and keys supplied (including window keys) together with meter readings and locations of meters.

An inventory of a furnished property will be even larger; this will bring increased responsibility for the landlord in respect of maintenance and for the tenant in respect of its subsequent care.

If compiled correctly, this can be a valuable document and will be a requirement if the return of the deposit is in dispute following the check out.