Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 17:00 Sat: 10:00 - 14:00 52 Railway Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QS 01245 345800
Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 17:00 Sat: 10:00 - 14:00 52 Railway Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QS 01245 345800
Are you looking to let out your property or a landlord frustrated with your current agent? Need some free, no obligation advice? Make First Choice, your only Choice with 30 years of experience in the lettings industry we know what works, so you can sit back and relax knowing your property is in safe hands.
Most tenancies will automatically be Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), provided the rent is under £100,000 a year and the property is let to private individuals. Tenancies are usually granted for an initial fixed term of either 6 or 12 months. When the fixed term has expired the landlord is able to regain possession of the property provided he gives two months written notice to the tenant.
We have found that a good relationship with Tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers this relationship is our job, but it is important that the Tenants should feel comfortable in their temporary home, and that they are receiving value for their money. It follows therefore that a well presented and maintained property in a good decorative order will go towards this, whilst also achieving a higher rental figure. Tenants are also more inclined to treat such a property with greater respect.
Electrical, gas plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the Landlords expense unless misuse can be established. Interior decorations should be in good condition and preferably plain, light and neutral.
Your property can be let fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished. Which of these is appropriate will depend on the type of property and local market condition. We will be pleased to give you advice on whether to furnish or not and to what level. As a minimum you will need to provide decent quality carpets/flooring, curtains/blinds and light fittings. Remember that there will be wear and tear on the property and any items provided.
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the attic at the owner's risk. All cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the Tenant's own use.
Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free, with any lawns cut. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the necessary tools. However, few Tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish us to arrange visits by our regular gardener.
At the commencement of the tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the Tenants' responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at their expense.
If your property is mortgaged, you should obtain your mortgagee's written consent to the letting.
You should ensure that you are suitably covered for letting under both your buildings and contents insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your policies. We can advise on Landlords Legal Protection, Rent Guarantee Cover and Landlords Contents and Buildings Insurance if required.
Income Tax is payable on UK lettings irrespective of where the landlord resides.
You should provide one set of keys for each Tenant. Where we will be managing we can arrange to have duplicates cut as required.
It is helpful if you leave information for the Tenant, e.g. on operating the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system, and the day refuse is collected etc. For our managed service, we will give the tenant an information pack containing these details.
It is a legal requirement that all gas appliances and systems are inspected on an annual basis. A Gas Safety Certificate must be obtained to cover the safety of the pipe work, the boiler, the cooker and any other gas appliances in the property. This certificate has to be issued by a CORGI registered gas fitter. Any repairs that are required on gas appliances, pipe work or fittings in a property have to be repaired on a 'forthwith' basis.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPC’s)
From 1st October 2008, all rental properties with a new tenancy agreement will now, by legal requirement, need an EPC certificate, this is the responsibility of the landlord and failing to comply may result in a fine. The certificates (EPCs) will have to be provided before the property is marketed. We have a database of registered energy assessors, and we will be pleased to arrange an EPC inspection and assessment on your property upon request.
From 1 July 2020, private landlords must make sure that all electrical installations are inspected and tested by a registered electrician.
The electrician will produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The report will either:
The report also states when the next electrical safety check is due. Checks must be carried out at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so.
The Building Regulations 1991 requires that all properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated interlinked smoke detectors/alarms on each floor. Such regulations regarding older properties do not exist at the present time but we strongly recommend that smoke alarms are fitted in all let properties and are regularly checked to ensure they are in full working order. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bedcovers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Items which comply will have a suitable permanent label attached. Non-compliant items must be removed before a tenancy commences.
Any furniture in the property whilst let must be up to the required standards of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations. This applies to beds, bed heads, children's furniture, mattresses, sofas, chairs, cushions, stretch or loose covers for furniture, pillows, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling and three pieces suites. All must bear a BS7177, 1989 certificate of fire safety. Any items that do not comply must be removed from the property. There are high fines for non-compliance. The regulations do not apply to curtains, carpets, bedclothes (including duvets) and mattress covers. This information is a summary of the implications of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety)(Amendment) Regulations 1993 and should be read in conjunction with the official guide from the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) a copy of which is available for your perusal at our Chelmsford office.
The HHSRS provides an analysis of how hazardous a property is through assessment of 29 potential hazards found in housing. Landlords have to maintain their properties to provide a safe and healthy environment. The HHSRS is enforced by local authorities.
The DDA 2005 addresses the limitations of current legislation by extending disabled people's rights in respect of premises that are let or to be let, and common hold premises. Landlords and managers of let premises and premises that are to let will be required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Under the new duties, provided certain conditions are met (for example, that a request has been made), landlords and managers of premises which are to let, or of premises which have already been let, must make reasonable adjustments, and a failure to do so will be unlawful unless it can be justified under the Act. Landlords will only have to make reasonable adjustments. And they will not have to remove or alter physical features of the premises.
A detailed inventory of the contents of the property will be taken to protect your interests, even if the property is minimally furnished or unfurnished. All personal items should be removed from the property prior to letting. This includes items of sentimental value such as ornaments and pictures. We recommend you also check your insurance cover too. First Choice are able to offer insurance especially tailored for leased properties. Please click on "Insurance" in the menu for further information.
Since 6 April 2007, all deposits taken by landlords and letting agents under Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. Landlords and letting agents must not take a deposit unless it is dealt with under a tenancy deposit scheme. To avoid any disputes going to court, each scheme is supported by an alternative dispute resolution service. We are currently a member of MY DEPOSIT Scheme where all deposits are registered.
DISCLAIMER: Whilst we strive to ensure properties are in accordance with the above, it’s the landlord’s legal responsibility to ensure compliance. We cannot accept liability for the landlord’s breach of the above regulations. The above information is written as a general outline and is subject to changes in legislation.
