Property Letting Information for Landlords

We provide both letting only and full management property letting service packages. If you would like to find out more please contact us by either emailing info@morrisrussell.co.uk or calling us on 01989 569 377.

Letting Package 01

£400+VAT

Letting Only Service

  • Rental Appraisal and Inspection
  • Advertising and marketing your property on our website, Zoopla & Primelocation portal, emailing details to all potential applicants along with newspaper advertising where appropriate.
  • Accompanied viewings where possible
  • Full tenant referencing using a professional Referencing Company
  • Preparation of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement between the parties and dealing with the necessary paperwork to comply with Legislation
  • Full inventory and check in report
  • Collecting first month’s rent and deposit and placing the deposit with the Deposit Protection Service
  • Notifying Utility providers
  • Handing the responsibility of the management over to the Landlord/s
  • Assist with obtaining Gas & Electric Safety Certificates and EPC

Additional Charges


  • Inventory: Scale Fee depending on size of property:
    – 0-3 beds £100+VAT
    – 4-6+ beds £150+VAT
  • Checking tenant out £100+VAT

Letting Package 02

10% monthly rental +VAT

Full Management Service

As Letting only Service plus:

  • Rent collection, remit and monthly statements
  • Inspection in first 4-6 weeks and then quarterly thereafter
  • Dealing with maintenance issues
  • Ongoing legal legislation updates
  • Check out report when tenants vacate
  • Agreeing between the parties the repayment of the deposit

Additional Charges


  • Inventory: Scale Fee depending on size of property:
    – 0-3 beds £100 +VAT
    – 4-6+ beds £150 +VAT

What to Expect

Should you be considering renting a property there may be many aspects to consider.

The local rental market is generally strong with a high demand for properties ranging from one bedroom flats to 5 bedroom country houses.

It is important to give thought as to who and how you wish to rent your property:

  • Long or Short term tenancy
  • Families
  • Working professionals
  • AllowPets

The next step would be for us to visit your property where we can give you an appraisal of the likely rent achievable and advise on any work we feel is necessary to comply with Legislation or improve the appeal factor to prospective tenants.

The final step will depend on what package you have chosen but with either we will endeavour to support you as a Landlord.  The most critical of steps, however, is to agree on a tenant and take up references as to their suitability to rent the property.

Inventories

We advise all our clients to carry out a full inventory for each separate tenancy to ensure that both parties are happy from the start!

It is an opportunity for the relevant parties to agree on the condition of the property, clear descriptions, contents and any discrepancies prior to the commencement of the tenancy agreement. Once the parties have agreed the contents of the inventory all the relevant parties sign a copy and this generally avoids any future disagreement on the cessation of the tenancy.

Under the terms of the tenancy agreement, the tenant is required to return the property and the contents at the end of the tenancy in the same condition as they were at the commencement of the tenancy, fair wear and tear accepted. The signed inventory documentation of the property will ascertain whether the damage was caused during the tenancy and should avoid any disputes at the end.

The cost of the preparation of the inventory is borne by the landlord.

Legislation

The rental market can be a minefield when it comes to Legislation which we can negotiate for you.

We want to make sure that all our landlords are up to date and fully compliant which is why we advise our landlords on all current Legislation as well as any future or proposed Legislation.  When we visit your property, we will inform you of anything that may need to be undertaken to ensure the property is suitable for letting, as well as the legal requirements attached to rental properties, such as:

  • Annual gas safety records
  • Electrical safety records
  • Energy Performance Certificates
  • Carbon Monoxide detector alarm
  • Smoke alarms

Consent to Let

It is standard for mortgagees to require notification of any proposed lettings and the landlords should seek their prior consent.

It is also advisable that the Landlord informs his insurance company of the proposal to let out the property as this may invalidate the insurance altogether or increase the premiums. It is advisable that written documentation should be obtained of these consents and held on file.

Utilities

The Tenant will be responsible for the payment of:

  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Water & Sewerage
  • Telephone
  • Council Tax
  • Television licence

Unless previously agreed with the Landlord. The landlord is responsible for building insurance on Freehold properties.

Tenancy Agreements

Generally, most tenancies are classed as Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

Under the Housing Act 1998 (as amended 1996) Landlords have more rights to possession than with tenancies commencing prior to the Acts and procedures for possession should be quicker and simpler.

There is no minimum period for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, however, we recommend that the tenancy is for not less than six months.

You can opt for either our fully managed service or just instructing us to find suitable tenants for you undertaking all the work required up to handing over the key to the new tenant.

We have a regulated complaints procedure and are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Landlord Obligations

As a landlord, you have a responsibility to keep the property in a safe and free from health hazards condition for your tenant. As your letting or managing agent we have an obligation to ensure you are fully aware of the current regulations you must adhere to when renting out your property.

ADDITIONAL FEES TO BE AWARE OF

Electrical Safety

  • Ensure the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
  • All electrical appliances provided by the Landlord need to be PATS tested at the start of a tenancy and annually thereafter

We strongly recommend all landlords to have an inspection of their electrical installation.

Fire Safety

  • Follow safety regulations
  • Provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example a coal fire or wood burning stove)
  • Check you have access to escape routes at all times
  • Make sure the furniture and furnishings they supply are fire safe
  • Provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large house in multiple occupation.

Gas Safety

  • Make sure gas equipment is safely installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer
  • A registered engineer must carry out an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
  • Keep a copy of the gas safety check record on record and provide relevant copies of the documents.

EPC

We can arrange for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be undertaken.
N.B. From 1st April 2018 it is a legal requirement for all properties being let for the first time to have an E rated EPC or above. For existing tenancies this will not come into force until April 2020. (In some cases there will be exemptions).

Legionella

The Health & Safety Executive have issued a Code of Practice for assessing the risk of Legionella in residential property. We recommend that as a Landlord you should carry out a risk assessment on your property prior to letting especially if there are open water tanks, redundant pipes, cooling systems or swimming pool.

Would you like a free market appraisal of your property?

Please contact Nigel or Susan on 01989 569 377 or info@morrisrussell.co.uk who would be more than happy to assist you.

Our Details

Morris & Russell
The Estate Office
Primrose Cottage
Peterstow
Ross-on-Wye
HR9 6JZ

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