Charles Bartlay offer both a 'find only' and full management services to suit the needs of our landlords. We deal with vetted and fully qualified professional tenants that we would be happy to let our own homes to. Many landlords are concerned about letting strangers into their homes/properties and we are able to give extensive advice and perhaps reassurance in regard to the letting process. We have outlined our service below but if you have any further enquiries or questions please feel to contact the lettings manager Sean Porter on (44) 020 8674 1200 Sean@charlesbartlay.com
THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDES
1. Visiting your property and advising as to the likely rental income of your property. We shall also advise you if we feel there are ways to improve the presentation of your property. Advertising and marketing your property locally and on the world wide web via our web site
2. Charles Bartlay can arrange the following services via local contractors:
Arranging supply of furniture, redecoration of individual rooms or the entire property, garden maintenance, rubbish clearance, furniture valuations, building and contents insurance, building works, window cleaning, household cleaning etc. If there is any other service you wish to discuss please contact Sean Porter.
3. Interviewing prospective tenants and taking up references including bank status enquiry, employer, previous landlord and character reference. Where necessary additional security would be requested by means of a guarantor. A copy of a valid passport is taken where applicable. Company references are taken up with accountants, banks, and trade references.
4. If requested, preparing an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement in accordance with the latest Housing Acts. This Tenancy Agreement is drawn up by The Letting Centre by a qualified barrister. We shall renew the Tenancy Agreements where necessary at the end of the term. We are able to sign the Tenancy Agreement on your behalf as your agents.
5. Liasing with a landlord's mortgagees where necessary with regard to references and Tenancy Agreements.
6. Taking a deposit from the tenant to be held by the Agent as stakeholder until the end of the tenancy. The purpose of the deposit is to protect the Landlord against loss of rent or damage to the Property during the tenancy. The deposit is refunded to the Tenants at the end of the Tenancy once a satisfactory 'Check Out' report has been received.
7. Collecting the rent monthly (Charles Bartlay are not liable for non payment of rent, see point 14 Guaranteed rent) less any fees or expenses due or incurred for the period.
8. Payments will be made by direct bank transfer together with a detailed rent statement.
9. Arranging with the utility companies (gas, electric and water) for meter readings and advising them of the transfer of service contracts to the tenant at the beginning of each tenancy. Landlords should take care to inform all parties (e.g. Banks, clubs, societies etc.) of their new address. Payment of council tax is the responsibility of the tenants in the property. However should the property become empty after the term the expense rests with the landlord with a 50% reduction for a vacant property.
10. Regular inspections are carried out on a quarterly basis. We shall advise you of any defects that have come to our attention or pointed out by a third party. It is not the intention to check every item on the inventory at this stage; the inspection is concerned with verifying the good order of the tenancy (i.e. the property being used in a 'tenant like' manner) and the general condition of the property. Where necessary a more detailed inspection can be arranged.
11. Co-ordination of repair or maintenance including arranging for tradesmen to attend the property and obtaining estimates where necessary, supervising works and settling accounts from rents received.
12. Making payments on behalf of the Landlord from rents received for service charges, ground rents, insurance premiums etc.
13. We recommend that the Landlord undertake the services of a professional inventory clerk before the commencement of the tenancy. Charles Bartlay can arrange this on your behalf and use the inventory to check the Tenant in and out of the Property. An inventory is essential if monies are to be held back from the Tenant's deposit at the end of the tenancy. The standard inventory will include all removable items in the property (except those of negligible value) plus floor coverings, walls, ceilings, windows, woodwork, kitchen and bathroom fittings, garden shed contents and in the opinion of the inventory clerk items that require regular checking. Landlords should not leave any articles of exceptional or sentimental value in the property without prior arrangement with the agent.
14. Charles Bartlay can give you total peace of mind by arranging, on your behalf, to have your rent guaranteed via Homelet insurance. This excellent scheme ensures that you will have an income from your property even if the tenants do not pay the rent ! For full information and terms/conditions of the guaranteed rent scheme please contact Sean Porter.
15. The letting of a property is now closely regulated with respect to consumer safety. The law makes particular demands regarding the safety, servicing and inspection of the gas/electrical appliances and installations within a property. The following regulations apply:
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
Annual certificates are required to cover both of these acts. Charles Bartlay can arrange for these annual certificates to be carried by the relevant qualified engineers upon instruction.
174 Streatham Hill, London, SW2 4RU
Tel: 020 8674 1200 Fax: 020 8674 7800