Letting property with Bradford & Howley
Top tips for letting your property
We've been letting properties for a long time so have learnt a lot along the way. Our essential guide gives you our top tips from years of experience.
Take a look through and if you have any more questions, feel free to contact one of the team - we would be happy to help!
Keep it clean
You set the standard by making sure the property is well presented before marketing, making the property more attractive to quality tenants, helping achieve a good level of rent, and neutral decoration is the best, as it is easy to maintain.
Furnished or unfurnished
You have the choice to either rent your property furnished, unfurnished or part-furnished. The greatest demand from tenants is for unfurnished, this typically includes carpets, curtains/blinds, light fittings and white goods. If your property is furnished, make sure you are complying to the fire safety rules.
Fees
It’s a false economy to choose the cheapest letting agent, select your letting agent based on their expertise, void periods and rent arrears. Remember the letting agents fees are tax deductible.
Asking rent
Be realistic about your asking price, this will allow your letting agent to generate a good level of interest and achieve the best rent from the most suitable tenant, this approach will reduce void periods.
Protect your investment
You must inform your insurance company and mortgage lender of your intention to rent, this may affect your premiums, however, failure to inform them may mean they refuse to pay any subsequent claims.
Bradford & Howley are members of ARLA Propertymark which means you are appointing a credible and trusted agent that works to the highest industry standards.
Inventory and check in
A detailed inventory is essential. The inventory must be provided to the tenant who should check, sign and return a copy to confirm their agreement of its accuracy. Without a detailed inventory, a landlord is legally in a very vulnerable position if they subsequently try to deduct money from a tenants deposit for alleged damage.
Utilities
These should be left connected and your letting agent will notify the supplier of a change of occupier.
Property folder
Create a handy guide for your tenants, this should include copies of manuals, details of local amenities and general information such as parking restrictions and refuse collection.
Safety matters
There is a growing list of legislation governing landlords, these include, gas, electrical and fire safety. Both gas and fire legislation require that all landlords adhere to strict rules when letting properties. All properties must have a valid gas safety certificate throughout the term of the tenancy. All properties with soft furnishings provided by the landlord must comply with fire safety rules.
Sole or multi agency
Work with one quality letting agent, if you instruct two or more, it could become a race to find a tenant, rather than the best tenant. Securing the best tenant that is thoroughly referenced should always be the priority.
If you would like us to value your property - just click here. With years of experience in the local area, we're ready to help you let your home!
Choose your service
Bradford & Howley are members of ARLA Propertymark which means you are appointing a credible and trusted agent that works to the highest industry standards.
We pride ourselves on building strong, long term relationships with our landlords. With a wealth of experience in the local lettings market, we are able to provide the very best expertise, advice and guidance that you can trust.
Whether we are helping you choose suitable property investments for letting out, advising on marketing or legal obligations, we are proud that our reputation for professionalism, integrity and attention to detail, make us the right choice for landlords and tenants.
We give you choice by providing a Full Management Service, Rent Collection Service and Tenant Find service. Whichever you choose - you'll receive exceptional service from our team.
Our lettings services in detail:
Full management
For clients that want a full service, our offer includes everything in the Rent Collection service, plus the following:
- Manage all issues of repair, maintenance and remedial work
- Arrange and manage all emergency work
- Regular property visits reporting back to the landlord including detailed photo reports
- Arrange an end of tenancy inspection and negotiate any dilapidation issues which arise
- Represent landlords where dispute is raised with the Government backed deposit protection scheme
- Serve notice to regain property, liaise with legal teams and where necessary provide court representation
- Provide tenants with basic household / housekeeping advice and education
Rent collection
For when you want us to find a tenant and also collect rent on your behalf, our service includes everything in the Tenant Find service, plus the following:
- Educating, advising and implementing new legislative changes
- Arrange annual gas safety check
- Collect rent on a monthly basis, held in a protected Client Account
- Chase late rents using our dedicated arrears and collection team implementing a strict process including early alerts to the landlord
- Payments by BACS once cleared funds are received from tenant avoiding delays
- Provide detailed HMRC compliant monthly statements
- Negotiate renewal at end of fixed term
- Advise on annual rent increases
Tenant find
Just want us to find a suitable tenant and you will look after the rest? We offer this service too:
- Provide free valuation and advise on how to maximize income
- Arrange Energy Performance Certificate
- Prepare full colour property details with floorplans, internal and external images
- Upload your property to our website and major property websites including Rightmove and OnTheMarket
- Full colour local newspaper advertising
- Telephone and email qualified tenants
- Accompanied viewings
- Full tenant referencing including detailed credit, employment and previous landlord reference checks
- Advise on issues of compliance
- Preparation of the Tenancy Agreement
- Arrange for Inventory and end of tenancy check out
- Collect 6 weeks security deposit and if held by us will register with a Government approved Deposit Protection Scheme and continue to protect the deposit according to legislation
- Collect first month (cleared funds) rent in advance
- Provide tenant with Banker’s Standing Order for rental payments
If you would like us to value your property - just click here. With years of experience in the local area, we're ready to help you let your home!
