Marketing With Us

Initial Letting Procedures

We will advertise the property in local newspapers, on our website, in our window display and in printed details that are sent out to prospective tenants.  We also arrange for a 'To Let' board to be displayed outside the property unless you prefer us not to.

When a prospective tenant is interested in the property we will need to arrange an appointment for them to view.  We can either show them the property on your behalf, or arrange for you to show them the property yourself if you would like to take the opportunity to meet any interested parties.

Vetting of Prospective Tenants

Obtain reference and credit checks to include Rent Guarantee cover provided by HomeLet insurance which guarantees the rent for the first six months (up to a maximum of 4 payments and whilst the Tenant is living in the property) and the option of renewing the guarantee if there are no arrears of rent.  (The cost of the Rent Guarantee includes IPT and is subject to terms and conditions).  You will have the opportunity to meet any prospective tenants if you so wish.

Tenancy Agreement / Inventory / Notifying Services

When satisfactory references have been received we will draw up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for a period of either six or twelve months.  Before the tenants move into the property we will carry out a detailed Property Condition/Inventory, take meter readings and inform the local Council and Water Board of the new occupants.  Unfortunately due to British Telecom regulations we are not permitted to arrange the changeover of the telephone line from landlord to tenant on your behalf.

Management of the Tenancy

Gas Appliances

Under gas legislation rented properties must by law have an annual safety check carried out on all gas appliances and as your Managing Agents we are required to keep records of these inspections.  We will arrange this servicing for you with a CORGI registered gas engineer.

Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

Under these regulations the main provisions are:

-           Upholstered articles (i.e. beds, sofas, armchairs, etc.) must have fire resistant filling material.

-           Upholstered articles must have passed a match resistance test or, if of certain kinds (such as cotton or silk) be used with a fire resistant interliner.

-           The combination of the cover fabric and the filling material must have passed a cigarette resistance test.

Proof of the above must be provided by way of receipts or attached labels.

Electrical Regulations

We arrange a 5 year periodic electrical safety inspection prior to letting by a qualified electrician to include a full Report.

Smoke Alarms

We recommend that at least two 10 year smoke alarms are fitted and this can be arranged if required through our maintenance team.

Inspection of Property

During the tenant's occupation we will carry out regular inspections of the property.  An initial inspection is carried out within two months and then further inspections will normally be carried out on a three monthly basis.

Rent Collection

The rental is collected on a monthly basis and will be due on the first day of the tenancy, and the same date each month thereafter.  A statement will be prepared and dispatched to you each month, and after deduction of our commission charges your payment will be made by BACs transfer directly into your bank account.

Maintenance / Emergencies

Should any maintenance be required during the tenancy we can give you a quotation for any work required for your perusal.  We will deal with any emergencies on your behalf if we are unable to contact you for instructions.  You may, if you wish, provide details of local companies that you would prefer us to use.

Member of the National Approved Letting Scheme

NALS (The National Approved Letting Scheme) is a Government backed accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents designed to give peace of mind to landlords and tenants in knowing that the firm they are dealing with provides clearly defined standards of customer service.

Departure of Tenants

When the tenants leave the property we will carry out a final inspection before the return of their deposit.  Should any faults/damage emerge at this stage we will liaise with the tenants regarding this. 

Deposits

Any deposits taken after 6 April 2007 come under new Government Legislation - The Housing Act 2004 (Chapter 4, sections 212-5; & Schedule 10).  By Law we are therefore required to ensure that the Tenants deposit is protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme.  There are 3 schemes available and as a Letting Agent we have paid to join The Dispute Service Ltd scheme which means that we are allowed to hold deposits in our Client Account - this is an insurance-based scheme (see our further detailed information regarding this). 

There is also a custodial scheme managed by Computershare Ltd which is a free service but deposits have to be paid over to them. There is another insurance-based scheme run by Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited who also charge for this service.

Landlord - Full Management Service

For the Full Management Service we will advertise your property and interview prospective tenants, show them around your property or arrange viewing through yourselves. We obtain references and credit checks to include Rent Guarantee cover provided by HomeLet insurance which guarantees the rent for the first six months subject to terms and conditions (up to a maximum of 4 payments and whilst the Tenant is living in the property) and includes IPT, with the option of renewing the guarantee if there are no arrears of rent. 

We inspect your property on a regular basis to ensure the Tenants are keeping it clean and tidy and not causing any damage.  We will also organise any emergency maintenance should the need arise which will then be deducted from your monthly statement.  We collect the rent from your Tenants each month, send you regular statements accordingly and the total due to you each month will be made by BACs transfer directly into your bank account. Our commission charge is deducted from the monthly rent we collect.

For this service our charges are £110.00 setting up fee plus:-

12½% of the monthly rent collected            –    Normal Charge

15% of the monthly rent collected              –    Landlord Living Abroad

10% of the monthly rent collected               –    Management of Several Properties

We draw up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for the property. 

Tenancy Agreement Charge:           £60.00

Tenancy Renewals for 6 months:   £60.00

Tenancy Renewals for 12 months:              £80.00

We draw up a comprehensive Property Condition/Inventory.  (For a fully furnished property this charge may depend on the amount of work and length of time involved).

Property Condition/Inventory Charge:   £60.00

Deposits

Since 6 April 2007, by Law we are required to ensure that the Tenants deposit is protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme.  There are 3 schemes available and as a Letting Agent we have paid to join the Dispute Service which is an insurance-based scheme who charge for this service and this means that we are allowed to hold the deposit in our Client Account. There is also a custodial scheme managed by Computershare Ltd which is a free service but deposits have to be paid over to them. There is another insurance-based scheme run by Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited who also charge for this service.  The deposit must be protected in one of these schemes within 14 days of receiving the deposit - there are severe penalties if this is not done.

Within 14 days of receiving the Deposit, we will protect the Deposit with The Dispute Service Ltd.

Administration Charge:  £20.00 per deposit

If there are any disputes at the end of the tenancy the Landlord/Agent & Tenant have to try to resolve it amicably.  If we have to become involved in a dispute or we have to refer the matter to The Dispute Service Ltd, we reserve the right to make a charge for the work involved.

Should you require your property to be returned at the end of a tenancy period, a Notice to Quit is served two months prior to the expiration of the Tenancy.

Notice to Quit Charge:   £35.00

All charges are subject to V.A.T.

Landlord Let Only Service

For the Letting Only Service we will:-

                        Advertise your property.

                        Interview prospective tenants and show them around your property or arrange viewing through yourselves.

We obtain references and credit checks to include Rent Guarantee cover provided by HomeLet insurance which guarantees the rent for the first six months subject to terms and conditions (up to a maximum of 4 payments and whilst the Tenant is living in the property) and includes IPT, with the option of renewing the guarantee if there are no arrears of rent. 

                        Collect the deposit and first months rent and draw up a statement of account.

            We draw up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement.

                        We draw up a comprehensive Property Condition/Inventory for your Property. 

Our charge for this service is a fee equivalent to one months rent plus V.A.T.

(There may be an extra charge for a fully furnished property depending

on the amount of work and length of time involved).

Deposits

            Since 6 April 2007, by Law we are required to ensure that the Tenants deposit is protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme.  There are 3 schemes available and as a Letting Agent we have paid to join the Dispute Service which is an insurance-based scheme who charge for this service and this means that we are allowed to hold the deposit in our Client Account. There is also a custodial scheme managed by Computershare Ltd which is a free service but deposits have to be paid over to them. There is another insurance-based scheme run by Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited who also charge for this service.  The deposit must be protected in one of these schemes within 14 days of receiving the deposit - there are severe penalties if this is not done.

If you wish us to protect the deposit within The Dispute Service scheme

there is an administration charge of £20.00 for Let Only Service.

If there are any disputes at the end of the tenancy the Landlord & Tenant have to try

to resolve it amicably.  If you require us to check the tenant out of the property at the end of the tenancy period and try to resolve any possible disputes or we have to refer the matter to The Dispute Service, we reserve the right to make a charge for the work involved.

Should you require your property to be returned at the end of the tenancy period, a Notice to Quit is served two months prior to the expiration of the Tenancy. 

Notice to Quit Charge:   £35.00

All charges are subject to V.A.T.

If you wish to find out more, please fill in our form below and hit the 'Send Email' button. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

Regards,
Cherwell Property Services.