Landlords

LANDLORD INFORMATION

Please find below a general breakdown of the services we offer to our landlords. For more information please telephone our office, or e-mail us at:
landlords@premierproperties.uk.net

First Steps

We would be delighted to arrange a no-obligation appraisal of your property, to discuss its letting potential and rental value, taking into account any personal preferences you may have. We offer both a tenant introduction service, and a full management service according to your needs. Premier Properties has both professional indemnity and client money protection insurance, to protect both tenants and landlords.

Advertising

We generate maximum exposure for every client's property in order to find suitable tenants. We advertise in major local newspapers, together with regular mailings to large local companies and employers who may need accommodation for their staff in the area. Our website carries a comprehensive and up-to-date list of the properties currently available.

Vetting of Tenants

We want to be sure that we find reliable tenants who are suitable for your type of property. Whilst it is impossible to guarantee the reliability and trustworthiness of tenants, we take every possible precaution on your behalf. We use a reputable credit checking agency, and obtain references from the prospective tenants current employer, previous employer (if less than 12 months in current position) and bank/building society, and also accountant and previous letting agent if applicable.

Rent and Legal Protection

Unfortunately even the most exemplary individuals may find themselves unable to meet rental payments, through changes in personal circumstances. We can provide a comprehensive service, through LETsure or Homelet, which protects you against unpaid rent and legal expenses and the costs involved in obtaining vacant possession of the property.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you continue to insure your property and contents, although contents cover may need to be reduced, and we can provide a competitive quote if required. In any event you should advise your insurers that the property is being let, as this may change the terms and conditions of your policy.

The tenant is obliged to hold contents insurance and to provide us with the details of their insurer if this has not been arranged through Premier Properties.

Inventory

We prepare a detailed inventory of the property, contents and garden, carefully noting the condition of everything. This inventory is used at the end of the tenancy to ensure that the property is returned in the same condition, subject to acceptable wear and tear.

Tenancy Agreement

The agreement is usually set up as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, renewable on a six monthly basis. This type of tenancy provides an absolute right to repossession, and we will be happy to provide you with a copy if required. Our agreements can be tailor made to suit specific requirements.

Repairs and Maintenance

We ask our tenants to advise us immediately should any problems occur with the property. They are given a telephone number to contact in the event of an emergency outside normal office hours. You will be informed of any problems, and may have advised us of a particular tradesman you would prefer us to use, or you may prefer us to obtain competitive estimates for any necessary repair work.

Routine Inspections

We carry out a routine inspection one month after the tenancy commences, and thereafter on a quarterly basis throughout the tenancy period. In this way we can satisfy ourselves that the property is being kept in a neat and tidy condition, and keep you up to date on any problems that may have arisen. We will provide you with a report of each inspection

Compulsory Legislations

There are three legislations which are compulsory when letting your property. They are:

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 – All appliances supplied within a rental property must meet certain criteria certified by a qualified electrician;

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1994 – A Corgi Registered Installer must certify all gas appliances such as cookers and boilers in rented accommodation every year;

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 – All upholstered furniture and furnishings manufactured after 1950 must comply with the furniture and furnishings regulation 1988.

Smoke Detectors

All new build properties are now required by law to have mains battery smoke detectors installed. We recommend that a minimum of two battery-operated detectors are fitted in all other properties, and would be happy to arrange this for you where necessary.

Fees and Rent Collection

As a standard fee we charge 10% of the rent collected + VAT. In addition we charge an administration fee of £50.00 +VAT each time we find a new tenant for your property, and £20.00 +VAT to register the deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.

Rents are collected monthly in advance. Wherever possible we request that rents are paid by standing order, which we are able to monitor via our on-line computer link to our banks. Rents are processed quickly so that there is no delay in forwarding you monies directly into your bank account, or, if you prefer, by cheque.

Damage Deposit

Tenants pay a damage deposit of a minimum of one months rent, which is retained until the end of the tenancy agreement. Once the property has been vacated we will carry out a check on the condition against the inventory and the costs of any cleaning or repairs required (other than for fair wear and tear) will be charged to the deposit.

From 6 April 2007 all deposits taken by landlords for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales must be protected by a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. Premier Properties is registered with The Dispute Service Limited, an insurance-based scheme directed primarily at letting agents.

Taxation

Income from rentals is deemed by the Inland Revenue to be unearned income and as such may be liable for tax whether the landlord is resident in the UK or overseas.

If you are going to be overseas during the period the property is let we are obliged by law to retain monies for tax at 20% of the net monthly rent and remit it to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis. It is possible to apply to the Inland Revenue for a Non-Resident Landlord’s Certificate. Once this has been received we will not have to retain monies for tax.

Pets

Many landlords prefer not to have tenants with pets in their properties. If, however, you have no objection to a dog or cat being kept on the premises our tenancy agreements contain a clause providing an undertaking that any damage caused by the pet will be rectified by a reputable tradesman and costs incurred will be met by the tenant. It is also a condition that all carpets will be steam cleaned and treated with a flea repellent at the end of the tenancy – a receipted invoice is required as proof that this has been done upon final inspection.

Mail

We ask tenants to forward to us any mail which arrives at the property for you. We will then forward this to you. We do strongly recommend however that landlords and outgoing tenants arrange for postal redirection at the Post Office.