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Landlords Guide to Renting

WELCOME

At Cherwell Property, we help landlords let and manage their properties with confidence, compliance and ease.

This guide outlines our services, processes and legal requirements so you know exactly what to expect when letting your property with us.

What This Guide Covers

  • Letting Services
  • Marketing Your Property
  • Tenant Search & Referencing
  • Regulations & Compliance
  • Rent Guarantee (Fully Managed Only)
  • Deposits
  • Tenancy Agreements
  • Property Condition & Inventory
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Dispute Resolution

WHY CHOOSE US?

Choosing an experienced letting agent has never been more important. With the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1st May 2026, the private rental sector has undergone significant legal reform, creating new responsibilities and compliance requirements for landlords across the UK.

Understanding and adapting to these changes is essential for protecting investment, maintaining compliant tenancies, and ensuring a smooth relationship with tenants.

Our experienced team helps landlords navigate these changes with confidence. We combine expert marketing, comprehensive tenant referencing, and proactive property management to provide a smooth, compliant, and stress-free letting experience.

We also ensure all tenancy agreements and management practices are fully aligned with the latest legal requirements, giving landlords peace of mind in an evolving rental market

Key legislative changes include:
  • Fixed-term tenancies will transition to rolling periodic tenancies
  • Section 21 (“no fault” evictions) will be abolished
  • Possession will rely on strengthened Section 8 grounds
  • Stricter Rent Control and payment rules
  • New Rights and Anti-Discrimination Laws
  • Upgraded Enforcement and Standards
  • New request process regarding pets
  • Greater compliance requirements for landlords

LETTING SERVICES

FULLY MANAGED AND LET ONLY – SERVICES INCLUDED

  • Property valuation and advice
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Safety and compliance checks
  • Tenant sourcing and referencing
  • Legal documentation and tenancy setup
  • Fully compliant Assured Period Tenancy
  • Deposit registration
  • Inventory preparation


FULLY MANAGED (ONLY) – SERVICES INCLUDED

Our most comprehensive service, offering complete peace of mind.

  • Monthly rent collection and statement
  • Coordination of all maintenance/repairs*
  • Tenant communication and issue resolution
  • 24 hr Emergency Number for tenants
  • Emergency repair coordination
  • Access to trusted local contractors
  • Ongoing property care
  • Manage legal compliance and notices (see compliance section)
  • Regular property inspections (minimum twice yearly)
  • Annual rent reviews in line with market conditions
  • Conduct check-out and deposit negotiations
*Additional admin charges may apply


MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY

We ensure maximum exposure through a comprehensive marketing strategy, including:

  • Advertising on our website
  • Promotion on Zoopla, OnTheMarket and PrimeLocation
  • High-quality photography and detailed property particulars
  • LED office window displays
  • Optional “To Let” boards
  • Social media promotion

 

TENANT SEARCH & REFERENCING

All applicants undergo thorough referencing via HomeLet, including:

  • Employment and income verification
  • Credit checks
  • Address history
  • Previous landlord references

This ensures tenants are carefully vetted for suitability and reliability.

 


REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE

We ensure full compliance with all key legislation, including:

  • Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which are valid for 10 years
  • Gas Safety Regulations (annual CP12)
  • Electrical Safety (EICR every 5 years)
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarm regulations
  • Right to Rent checks
  • Sanctions and AML checks
  • Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation)Act
  • Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations
     

RENT GUARANTEE SERVICE (Fully Managed Only) ADDITIONAL COSTS APPLY

  • Rent protection (Minimum of 24 months or more depending on policy)
  • Cover for tenant breaches, including non- payment
  • Legal expenses cover (up to £100,000)
  • Continued cover during dispute
  • No excess
  • 12 month policy

What is Rent Guarantee Service?

Rent Guarantee Service —also known as Rent Protection Insurance or Tenant Default Insurance—is designed to protect landlords against unpaid rent and help resolve tenancy disputes that may require possession of the property.

With the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, many landlords are choosing Rent Guarantee Service as an added layer of protection.

Many landlords rely on rental income to cover mortgage payments and ongoing costs such as safety checks, maintenance, and management fees. Changes to eviction processes may also result in longer periods of unpaid rent.

Rent Guarantee Service can support you if:

  • A tenant falls into rent arrears
  • A tenant fails to vacate the property
  • Rent is withheld during a dispute

Policies can also include cover for legal expenses, including eviction and court costs, helping to reduce financial risk and provide added peace of mind.

Please ensure that any policy is suitable for your individual circumstances and that you review the full terms and conditions before proceeding.

 

DEPOSITS

All deposits are protected in a government-approved scheme The Dispute Service (TDS) Custodial.
  • Registered within 30 days
  • Prescribed information issued to tenants
  • Typically, equivalent to five weeks’ rent
  • Deposits are held against damage, cleaning, or unpaid rent
 

TENANCY AGREEMENTS

Our tenancy agreements are professionally prepared and regularly updated to comply with current legislation and best practice. What our agreements include:

  • Rights and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant
  • Rent amount, payment terms, and review procedures
  • Deposit protection and prescribed information
  • Maintenance obligations and reporting procedures
  • Permitted use of the property
  • Legal processes for ending the tenancy
  • All statutory documentation included
  • Fully compliant with current regulations

Ending a Tenancy

A tenancy may end through:

  • Tenant notice (in accordance with legal requirements)
  • Landlord notice using valid statutory grounds
  • Mutual agreement between both parties
  • We ensure all notices are served correctly and legally.

 

PROPERTY CONDITION & INVENTORY

A detailed Inventory and Property Condition Report is one of the most important documents in protecting both landlord and tenant.

What Is Included

Before the tenancy begins, we prepare a comprehensive report including:

  • Detailed full room-by-room description of the property
  • Condition rating for walls, floors, fixtures, and fittings
  • A detailed list of contents (for furnished properties)
  • Cleanliness standards at the start of the tenancy
  • Details of any professional cleaning
  • Supporting photographic evidence
  • Tenants are required to review and signed the document to ensure transparency

The inventory provides a clear and legally recognised record of the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy.

At the end of the tenancy, it is used to:

  • Compare the property’s condition
  • Identify damage or missing items
  • Distinguish fair wear and tear from tenant damage
  • Support any proposed deposit deductions

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

If there is a disagreement between a landlord and tenant regarding proposed deductions from the tenancy deposit, we will always aim to mediate and reach a fair and reasonable agreement between both parties.
If an agreement cannot be reached, either party may raise a formal dispute through the tenancy deposit scheme.

The Dispute Service (TDS) will then review the case independently. Both parties will be required to submit evidence, which may include completed forms, photographs, invoices, and the original inventory and check-in report. Please note that a charge will apply for the preparation and submission of documentation in connection with a formal dispute (see our Fees section for details).

In the event of a dispute:

  1. We attempt to negotiate a fair resolution
  2. If unresolved, a formal dispute is raised
  3. Evidence (inventory, photos, invoices) is submitted
  4. An independent adjudicator makes a binding decision
 

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

We are proud members of:

  • Safeagent
  • The Property Redress Scheme

Providing reassurance that we meet the highest industry standards.


FEES

Please see below for our full list of fees

Landlord Fees Schedule


LANDLORD INSTRUCTION FORM

Pleases see below our Landlord Instruction Form

Landlord Instruction Form

 

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