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Landlords

If you are thinking of letting your property Kingston Behague have prospective tenants enquiring about all types of property on a daily basis.

Call us now to discuss your possible requirements without further obligation or complete the Landlord's Enquiry Form and one of our representatives will be pleased to carry out a detailed and comprehensive letting appraisal of your property free of charge.

Our lettings and management team makes sure that your valuable asset is handled by experts who have many years of experience in this field providing not only a tenant finding service but also a full management package to give you complete peace of mind that your property is in safe hands.

Our service includes:

• Free Letting Appraisal and impartial advice on all aspects of letting
• No Let - No Fee Guarantee
• Very competitive fees
• Accompanied viewings in or out of office hours
• Fully Referenced Tenants
• Free local newspaper advertising
• All properties advertised on our web site
• Preparation of Tenancy Agreements
• Fully Referenced Tenants
• Detailed Inventories
• Full property management service available
• Regular quarterly inspections of properties

LETTING GUIDELINES FOR LANDLORDS

Type of Tenancy
Our normal letting procedure is to create a 6 month Shorthold Assured Tenancy under the Housing Act 1988. After the initial 6 month letting, it may be agreed between landlord and tenant to extend the term for another 6-month period or to roll on the existing tenancy on a month-to-month periodic basis with one month's notice required from the tenant and two month's notice to be given by the landlord.

Marketing
We are committed to an active approach to marketing with the aim of keeping vacancy periods to a minimum. Initially we will search our database to attempt a tenant match and include the property on our web site. Newspaper advertising is conducted via the local press within a dedicated lettings section. If required a "To Let" board is erected at the property and brief details of the property including room measurements and colour photograph are presented in our Rental Property List available from both Lichfield and Burton upon Trent offices. A member of staff accompanies viewings for prospective tenants.

References
A prospective tenant will be asked to provide us with employer and bank details together with previous landlord and/or landlord's agent references if applicable which will be discussed with you for your approval prior to the tenancy commencing.

Tenancy Agreement
Assuming references are satisfactory, a Tenancy Agreement is drafted and paid for by the incoming tenant. The Tenancy Agreement and Section 20 Notice, which confirms the creation of a Shorthold Assured Tenancy, will be sent to you for signature and must be returned prior to commencement, (we can sign this on your behalf as your agent if you are unavailable to sign yourself). A copy will then be returned to you for your records.

Deposit
The tenant will be required to pay a deposit equivalent to about four to six weeks rent. The deposit is held in our Stakeholders Account (unless otherwise stated) and is refundable at the end of the tenancy assuming the property is left in tenantable condition.

Inventory and Schedule of Condition
A thorough inventory and schedule of condition is produced at the start of the tenancy listing the contents, fixtures, fittings and condition. If the property is let furnished, the inventory itemises furniture, kitchen equipment, etc. There is a charge of £30 plus VAT to the landlord when a property is let furnished.

Services and Council Tax
Prior to commencement, the service meters (gas and electric) are read and the readings confirmed in writing to the relevant utilities, together with details of the new tenants and commencement date. The local Water Authority is also informed in writing. The telephone connection is the responsibility of the tenant. On occupation the tenant becomes responsible for payment of service bills.

If gas appliances are connected to the property you will need to obtain a Landlord's Gas Safety Record prior to commencement. This can only be issued by a Corgi Registered gas engineer and is renewable annually. Also from April 2002 it is mandatory to have a safety electrical inspection and safety certificate issued for the supply at the property.

The tenant is responsible for paying Council Tax to the Local Authority and we write to the local council tax office advising them of the tenant's details.

Insurance
As landlord, you will need to make provision for buildings and contents insurance. You should advise your broker of the tenancy so that the correct insurance package can be arranged. We do offer a landlord low cost insurance package and would be happy to discuss this further with you if so required.

Taxation and Mortgages
Rental income will need to be declared as unearned income as part of your tax return. If you are resident abroad, you should apply to your local tax office to join the Non-Residents Landlord's Scheme.

If the property you are letting is subject to a mortgage you will need the consent of your lender to let the property.

Management
We offer a complete Management Service to save you the worry and inconvenience of looking after the Tenancy once it has started. This includes:

• Collection of all rental income on a monthly basis which we forward on to you by cheque or direct into your Bank Account together with a monthly Statement.
• Regular property inspections every 12 weeks to check the general condition of the property and to ensure that the Tenant is conforming with the terms of the Agreement.
• Effective control of routine maintenance problems and repair of appliances within agreed budgets and the obtaining of quotations in respect any larger works for your prior approval.
• Coordination of emergency repairs for the benefit of the property and the tenant.

Termination of the Tenancy
At the end of the tenancy we will take all necessary steps to regain possession of the property including:

• Notify you in good time for the issuing of a "Notice Requiring Possession" which we will serve on your behalf if required not less than two months before the due date.
• Undertake check-out procedure with the tenant to ensure that the property is left in satisfactory condition.
• Repay the security deposit or deduct for any necessary items
• Hand back the property to the landlord or seek a fresh tenant

Extending the Tenancy
Alternatively the tenant and landlord may agree to extend the original tenancy for a further fixed term or on a monthly basis in which case we will prepare the necessary documentation in accordance with your instructions.

If you would like any further information regarding our landlord services and fee scales please call us on:

01543 263893

or e-mail:

4rent @kingstonbehague.co.uk

If you would like a Free Letting Appraisal of your property please complete the Landlord's Enquiry Form below.