Landlord’s Guide

About TW Lettings

Deciding which agent to instruct to let your property can for some landlords be a very daunting task.

As a homeowner or investment landlord who has taken care and pride in their property, you want to ensure that your letting agent will find tenants that will continue to maintain the property to the highest possible standard as well as pay their rent on time and in full.

TW Lettings LTD is run by its owners so we take extra personal interest in providing you with the best possible service. As a letting agent we have a careful selection process of all tenants whether you are on a let only or full management service.

Our staff has an in-depth knowledge of both the letting market, to achieve the best possible rent for your property and the technical know how to oversee and manage your property for a hassle free tenancy.

Further more, our Management service can provide you with extra peace of mind, allowing you to walk away from your property in the knowledge that it will be looked after.

Whatever your needs, whether you are unable to sell your existing home or if you are an investment landlord professionally involved within the property market we are sure to have the answer for you. Our specialist rental valuers and management team is on hand to provide you with advice at all times as well as securing you with the correct tenant for your property.

This information brochure will advise you fully on the letting of your property plus give you a complete explanation of the range of services we can provide for you.

Upon receipt of your written instructions of our Letting and Management Terms of Business indicating which service you require, we will immediately place your property on the market and internet portals as well as text and email all prospective tenants currently on our list looking for property.

TW Lettings LTD has agreed to uphold the code of practice laid down by our governing body The Guild of Letting and Management. Further information can be found at: www.guild-let.co.uk or telephone 01992 479949

TW Lettings is also a member of The Property Ombudsman for letting agents and abide by their code of conduct.

Services

Tenant Find

Includes :-

• Extensive internet marketing
• Prominent town centre office display
• Agent accompanied viewings
• Lettings Regulation Advice
• All tenants fully referenced
• Preparation of AST and relevant annex
• Collection of 1st months’ rent and 6 weeks deposit
• Advise tenant of future payment method
• Make any HMRC deductions and provide tenant with NRL8 where necessary

Rent Collection

As Above plus:-

• Collection of monthly rent
• Chase late rent payments
• Account to the landlord with rent statement monthly

Fully Managed

As above Plus:-

• Full in house inventory & condition report
• Deposit lodgement with approved scheme
• Meter readings and commencement and end of tenancy
• Notify all utility companies of change of tenant(s)
• Periodic property inspections
• Property maintenance and repairs via trusted contractors
• Enforcement of tenancy terms
• Rental reviews
• Closing inspection reports including deposit deductions
• Serving of section 21’s notice to quit
• Serving of section 13 rent increase notice
• Holding of keys
• Annual tax return on request
• Arranging of Gas and electrical certificates and EPC’s

Contact us for our current rates

The Services

Landlord Information

Tenant Referencing

All prospective Tenants are interviewed before being recommended. If accepted, full referencing will then take place via an independent referencing agency. The following checks will be done by the reference company:

• Employer’s
• Credit check
• Copy of photo ID
• Personal reference
• Bank reference
• Previous landlord (if applicable)
• Guarantor (if applicable)

Deposit

We will collect a deposit equivalent to 6 weeks rent from the prospective tenant(s) at the start of the tenancy as security for any dilapidations, damage or missed rent. This will be secured in the government approved scheme the Deposit Protection Service. For Let Only tenancies you will need to advise us of the appropriate deposit scheme you are a member of, or instruct TW Lettings to deal with it at an extra cost.

Rent Payments

We will collect the first month’s rent and we will then request a standing order for all future payments.

If you chose the Management service the rent is paid into our client bank account and then forwarded to you within 5 to 10 days via a BACS transfer and an accompanying invoice will be emailed.

Tenancy Agreements and Notice(s)

A Tenancy agreement will be prepared for all tenants to sign before moving into the property (this is included in both let only and management services)

The Agreement will include comprehensive terms for the tenants to adhere to. Under the Housing Act 1988 (amended 1996) an Assured Shorthold Tenancy will be used, except in cases of a company let then the relevant Company Agreement will be drafted as with an Assured Tenancy. As we do not issue a Section 21 at the start of the tenancy, the tenancy will continue after the fixed term until the tenant provides 1 months’ notice or the landlord/agent provides 2 months’ notice. Any notice served or received must be served on the anniversary of the tenancy start date, or rent payment date if the fixed period has ended.

Inventory

An inventory and condition report should be prepared to ensure that all items of Furniture, Fixtures and Fittings as well as the condition of them are recorded accurately and the tenant will be asked to sign and accept that the document is true and accurate. With the new legislation on deposits now in place; the onus is placed on the landlord/agent to prove the condition of the property when the tenant moved in as well as producing a full checkout report at the end of the tenancy.

The tenant’s deposit will be held against any damages or excess wear and tear shown against the inventory.

The inventory will be provided by us for full management and by the landlord for let only. We can prepare an inventory for let only for an additional cost, further details of this service are provided in our Terms of Business.

Landlord’s Checklist

Mortgaged Properties

You should notify your Building Society or Bank if the property is mortgaged that you are thinking of letting the property. It is usually one of the conditions of your mortgage that you apply for permission to sub let the property.
We also recommend that your buildings and content Insurers are advised of your plans as they too may need altering to cover a third party residing at the property (we can assist in recommending specialist insurance companies dealing with insurance’s for rented properties. Please speak to a member of staff).

Leasehold Properties

It is also wise to check that if the property is leasehold that you confirm with the freeholder that there are no restrictions or covenants which prevent you from letting the property and which the Tenants must adhere to during the Tenancy period.

Non UK Resident Landlord

If you are going to reside outside the UK we are bound under the Taxes Management Act 1970, Section 78 and 83 to assess you at the basic rate of income tax (variable) due from rents we collect on your behalf if you are not “self assessing” your own tax.

We should receive a letter of confirmation from your Accountant and Tax Office confirming that they accept liability for payment of your tax. (Please see your Accountant for self-assessment advice).

Keys

It is important to have several keys cut for the property, enough for each adult tenant due to move into your property plus a set for our management department (if applicable). We need this for security and maintenance access if required.

Legal Costs

Should there be at any time any need to take legal action against the tenant for whatever reason the landlord will be responsible for this action plus any necessary costs incurred. For managed property assistance will be given to the landlord with regards to documentation and administration regarding the tenancy.

Transfer of Services

If you have employed us as your managing agent the only service that we are not able to transfer for you is the telephone. BT or cable will only deal with the subscriber and not with a third party. Please, therefore, arrange transfer on the day the tenant(s) take occupation if this is possible.
If we are not managing the property, you will need to arrange the following: –

Gas and Electricity

Inform the utilities of the date of transfer to the new tenant(s) plus their name(s), the meter readings and your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.

Water Rates

Water Rates will become the tenant’s responsibility in most cases, but please advise them of your new forwarding address. If your water charges are on meter the tenant is responsible and a meter reading and date of transfer needs to be supplied to the authority together with your forwarding address.

Council Tax

Once again this is payable by the tenant(s) during the tenancy. Please advise the local authority the date of transfer to the new tenant(s) and of your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.

Telephone

It is best to arrange the transfer for the actual day that your tenant(s) will be moving in. If there is a break between subscribers, there can be a charge depending on the length of time that the service has been disconnected.

Mail Re-direction

The Post Office offers a service to redirect your mail which we recommend you arrange prior to vacating the property for the term of the tenancy.

You should also inform your bank, employers, friends and family who are likely to write to you and inform them of your new address.

Safety Regulations

Whether requiring a let only service, rent collection or management service, landlords have the responsibility for the safety of both the tenant and their own property during the tenancy.

The following regulations must be adhered to without fail by the landlord and as agents must ensure that they are carried out.

Fire and Furnishings (Safety) Regulations 1988 (1993)

All soft furnishings such as settees, sofas, beds, padded chairs, pillows, cushions and so on must comply with the Fire Resistance requirements contained within the regulations.

Items of furniture made prior to 1950 are termed as antiques and as such are excluded from the regulations.

Usually a label is attached to the item of furniture to confirm it is acceptable. We will at all times check your furniture and advise you accordingly to the best of our ability.

Gas Safety (Installations and Use) Regulations 1994 (1996)

A qualified Engineer (Gas Safe Register) must also check all gas appliances and installations within the accommodation, on an annual basis for its safe use.

This includes such items as Gas Fires, Central Heating boilers, Gas cookers and other gas appliances. It also insists that flues and chimneys are clear of obstructions and in the correct place.

The engineer must issue a certificate and a copy presented to the Tenant at the start of any tenancy.

Any items that fail to comply with the regulations must be fixed or removed immediately.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

These regulations require that all Electrical equipment left at the property be “safe and of no risk or injury to human or animal“.

They should be checked that flexes, fuses and electrical output are safe and correct. Items that must comply are all portable electrical items such as electric cooker, fridges, washing machines, kettles, toasters etc.

As agents we can not guarantee which items are safe or not and will recommend that a qualified electrician checks these items (a charge will be made). This can be carried out by your own electrician.

Energy Performance Certificates

From October 2008 you are required by law to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to market the property for rent. If you do not have a valid EPC we can arrange for one to be completed. Once completed they be valid for 10 years.

Child Safety Regulations

As I’m sure you are aware, regulations are constantly changing to safeguard tenants and vulnerable people. The latest of which is Child Safety Requirements in relation to window blinds. Please ensure that your blinds comply with the new regulation or ask a contractor to make the blinds safe/compliant. More information can be found at: http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk

Legionnaires Disease

Again a new legislation has been set in place. As the person controlling the premises you need to decide what water installations or systems on the premises may give rise to a risk of legionella. You can carry out a risk assessment yourself if you are competent or employ somebody who is. The larger premises and the presence of air conditioning, whirlpool spas, pools, fountains etc. increase the likelihood of legionella bacteria being present. Detailed guidance is provided in HSE Guidance referred to above.

A simple risk assessment may show that there are no real risks from legionella and no further action may be required. However, it is important to review the risk assessment regularly in case anything changes. More information can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires

Important Note:

This is only a brief guide to the regulations. Further information and details are provided in our Terms of Business and by asking a member of staff.

Terms & Conditions of Business

This web page has been compiled as a guide to Landlords and does not form or is in any way a substitute to our Terms and Conditions of Business.

Once instructions have been received to let your property our terms and conditions of business will be provided, detailing further the services, charges and conditions for you to read and sign if you are in agreement.