01832 275158

www.justlets.com

oundle@justlets.com

Totally dedicated to letting and management

Residential Property Management

MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

When it comes to Property Management we have come across most eventualities over the years. Our attention to detail, professionalism and experience help us to achieve problem free and profitable lettings for our Landlords.

We also know this reflects on our Tenants who are more likely to be contented and happy to stay with properties managed by Just Lets.

OUR COMMITMENT

Our commitment to all our landlords is to make the process of letting your property a simple, straightforward and cost-effective experience.

We are fully committed to providing a convenient, reliable and professional service. We will apply our experience and knowledge of letting and the local market to achieve a premium rent and marketing plan for your property. We can also provide advice on possible improvements that may increase the rental value and desirability of the property.

Throughout this letting process we will employ best practice in all necessary procedures to ensure that you have the maximum protection allowed in law.

OUR SERVICE

To meet the demands of the current lettings sector we offer two standards service options – Fully Managed and Tenant Find Only. Both services feature the essential safe-guards to ensure your property is occupied quickly; the transition from empty property to occupied with new tenants is done smoothly and effectively – to make it a stress-free experience for you.

THE RENTAL VALUE

The rental value of the property will be subject to valuation. Generally this rental will be exclusive of gas or oil, electricity, water charges and council tax.

DEPOSITS

Where a property is ‘Managed’ the Agent shall hold the deposit in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes as set out in the Housing Act 2004.

Where a property is ‘Tenant Find Only’ the landlord is responsible for registering the deposit with a scheme.

THE TYPE OF TENANCY

The type of tenancy will generally be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy under the terms of the Housing Act of 1988 as amended by the Housing Act of 1996.Where required a Company Lease may be used.

Just

Let

s… w

e do

mor

e …

than

Just

Let

!!!

LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES

BUILDING INSURANCEThe responsibility of an owner letting a property is to ensure there is adequate building insurance cover.

MORTGAGORS APPROVALIf there is a mortgage on the property the lender will most probably have made arrangements with you for this cover, however, if you do have a mortgage over the property you must inform your lender that you intend to rent the property and obtain written approval.

CONTENTS INSURANCEContents insurance is the responsibility of the landlord if the property is let furnished.We recommend you hold minimum contents insurance for unfurnished property especially where, as in most cases, carpets and curtains are included with the property.

Just

Let

s… w

e do

mor

e …

than

Just

Let

!!!

FIRE REGULATIONSShould the property be let furnished it will be necessary to check all furnishings and beds to ensure they comply with the British Safety Standard Fire and Furnishings regulations. Any non-compliant items must be removed from the property prior to commencement of a tenancy.

GAS REGULATIONSYou, as the landlord are responsible for the safety of all gas appliances (if any at the property). These appliances must be checked annually by a GAS SAFE registered fitter and we must hold a copy of the gas safety certificate in our office.We can arrange for this service to be carried out on your behalf if required.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND APPLIANCESAll furnished properties must have a PAT test of any portable electrical appliances

SMOKE ALARMS All properties built since June 1992 must have been fitted with mains powered smoke detector alarms from new. Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in other ordinary tenanted properties (except HMOs), it is generally considered that the common law ‘duty of care’ means that Landlords and their Agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in a tenanted property where smoke alarms are not fitted

FULLY MANAGED OPTION

• Marketing the Property.

• Accompanied viewings of the property.

• Referencing the tenants.

• The taking of a deposit.

• The preparation of a tenancy agreement.

• Clearing the first months rent and making arrangements for the payment of future rental payments.

• Payment to the landlord of the rental the cost less our commission and any authorised expenses i.e. repairs etc.

• Regular statements showing rental income and expenditure. At least two inspections per year whilst the property is occupied.

• Just Lets run a comprehensive schedule of property checks on a regular basis with a report sent to both Landlord and Tenant.

• Ensuring that all statutory checks are in place prior to the letting of the property including Gas, Electricity, Furniture and Furnishings etc.

• Ensuring that annual checks are carried out in respect of gas appliances and when required the checking of electrical installations.

• Manage the property on a day-to-day basis including dealing with maintenance issues and answering queries from both landlords and tenants.

Just

Let

s… w

e do

mor

e …

than

Just

Let

!!!

TENANT FIND ONLY OPTION

• Accompanied viewings of the property.

• Marketing the property.

• Referencing the tenants.

• Preparation of the tenancy agreement.

• Clearing the deposit and the first months rent.

• Payment to the landlord of the deposit and the first months rent less our agreed fees.

Landlords opting for this service may also wish to take advantage of our professional inventory service and our check in/check out service.

PROFESSIONAL INVENTORY SERVICESAs landlords, safeguarding against damage to the fixtures and fittings of your property is vital. The taking of a deposit is the first step, but unless it can be proven that damage or breakages have occurred during the tenancy, this alone is not sufficient.

Having your tenants agree on the condition of the property before they occupy is the only way to safeguard yourself against disputes arising at the end of a tenancy.

By obtaining a signed inventory and a schedule of condition, a tenant is being advised they will be held responsible for repair and renewal costs (other than those attributable to fair wear and tear), thereby reducing the risk of the property being mistreated in the first instance.

We therefore ensure that a full and comprehensive inventory is carried out with all fully managed properties.

An inventory will:-

• Provide the only written evidence of contents, fixtures and fittings.

• Form a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant if mentioned in the tenancy agreement (Without an inventory the landlord is likely to have little or no redress via Courts or ADR.

• Detail the condition of the property and it’s contents.

• Detail the state of cleanliness.

• Detail a schedule of condition of the contents in the property.

What are the advantages to the landlord?

• It gives the tenant a sense of responsibility.

• The chance of damage or neglect is reduced considerably.

• There is less likelihood of missing items at the end of the tenancy.

• Easier to claim compensation.

• The inventory can help with insurance claims made upon the property and/or it’s contents.

Things to do:

∙ Call Just Lets te

am

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT SERVICEThis service compliments the inventory service and includes the following:-

At the start of the tenancy (Check in).

• Checking the inventory with the tenant and updating if required.

• Showing the tenant how everything works and where utility meters etc can be found.

• Taking the meter readings at time of check in/check out.

• Handing over of keys to the property.

• Informing the utilities of the change of tenancy.

At the end of the tenancy (Check out).

• Checking of the property against the original inventory at the end of the tenancy and noting any repairs or dilapidations that may be required.

• Taking final meter readings.

• Collecting the keys from the tenant.

• Informing the utilities of the change of tenancy.

• Returning the deposit to the tenant subject to any dilapidations required.

Just

Let

s… w

e do

mor

e …

than

Just

Let

!!!

Things to do:

∙ Call Just Lets te

am

RENEWAL OF THE TENANCYRenewal of the tenancy will be offered to the tenant (subject to your agreement) at the end of the initial tenancy period and every subsequent renewal period. The rental value will be subject to review every twelve months and will be adjusted according to market conditions.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATESFrom the 1st October 2008 it became law that all properties which are let have an Energy Performance Certificate, just as properties which are put on the market for sale now must have.We cannot begin to market a property until an EPC has been received.Once completed the EPC is valid for 10 years.We can arrange for an Energy Performance Certificate to be carried out.

RENTAL PROTECTION INSURANCELandlords have the option to take out rental protection insurance once tenants have passed the required referencing to the standard required.

TAXResidents of the UK are responsible for their own tax affairs, however, the managing agent is responsible for tax in respect of properties rented by landlords who reside outside the UK. We shall deduct 24% of the net rental income until such time that we are assured in writing by the Inland Revenue that all tax due on the rental income of that property has been settled.The Inland Revenue have a Self Assessment Scheme which allows non-resident landlords to receive UK income with no tax deducted.Just Lets are able to provide advice and help landlords to register with the scheme.

REFERENCINGWe make every effort to ensure that tenants are referenced to a satisfactory standard. We use a professional referencing company who take references from employers, a credit reference, personal reference and confirmation of status on the electoral register.

UTILITIESWhen a new tenancy commences we shall inform the utility companies of the meter readings and change of occupier details.

A HIGH STANDARD OF PROPERTY IS EXPECTED

We do insist that a very high standard of property is offered to the tenant both in terms of fixtures and fittings and cleanliness.The Owner will accept that the property may need to be redecorated internally and externally from time to time.

In order to maintain these standards we ask for the interior of the property, including oven, carpets and windows (inside and out including frames) to be professionally cleaned prior to commencement of the tenancy, the tenant is obliged to have the same carried out at the end of the tenancy.

Just Lets employ the services of insured professionals to carry out these works, should our contractors not be used and we consider that the standard is not what we deem to be professional, Just lets reserve the right to call in contractors at the landlords expense to rectify the situation, we will of course make reasonable attempts to contact you beforehand to discuss.

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY

We hold professional indemnity insurance cover.

Just

Let

s… w

e do

mor

e …

than

Just

Let

!!!

Tel: 01832 275158 www.justlets.comoundle@justlets.com