Our team of experienced property managers can offer you the following services:
1. Our Full Managed Service includes:
- Accompanied viewings of your property carried out by our experienced members of staff
- A thorough internet based state of the art tenant referencing service
- Preparation of Tenancy Agreements
- Asking council tax authorities and utility companies to finalise your accounts
- The collection of one month’s rent in advance and deposit monies at the commencement of the tenancy.
- Registering of the tenants deposit monies in the Tenancy Deposit Scheme(TDS)
- Preparation of a detailed inventory including the preparation of a schedule of condition
- The collection of rent monthly and transferring it to your bank or building society account
- Carrying out of periodic visits
- Arranging maintenance and general repairs
- Arranging lease renewals
- Carrying out of inventory checkins and checkouts with the tenant in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Regulations
2. Our Tenancy Find Service includes:
- Accompanied viewings of your property carried out by our experienced members of staff
- A thorough internet based state of the art tenant referencing service
- Preparation of Tenancy Agreements
- Asking council tax authorises and utility companies to finalise your accounts
- The collection of one month’s rent in advance and the tenants deposit monies at the commencement of the tenancy.
- Registering of the tenants deposit monies in the Tenancy Deposit Scheme(TDS)
- Preparation of a detailed inventory and schedule of condition
- Carrying out of inventory checkins and checkouts with the tenant in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme regulations.
3. Comprehensive Tenant Referencing
Once a potential tenant has been found, they will undergo an extensive referencing procedure. The internet based by referencing service which is carried by an expert referencing company, Van Mildert has been designed to minimise risks. As well as financial references and fraud checks employers are approached and, where applicable, any previous landlords.
4. Maintenance and Repairs
All contractors who work on our clients properties must have valid public liability insurance and membership certificates where necessary, such as gas engineers who must be Gas Safe Registered. Contractors are expected to carry work out to a good standard, attend promptly and charge a fair price. We review contractor pricing and try to ensure our clients receive a good standard of work at a competitive price.
5. Client Accounts and Statements
Our accounting software enables us to produce professional statements, which detail your rental income and expenditure are user friendly and easily understood and are acceptable to your accountant and Inland Revenue. Our RICS Regulation means that our Clients account is regularly balanced, so your money is always accounted for.
6. Rent Collection
Where rent is late we allow a further 2 days (as weekends and bank holidays can affect payments), we actively chase the tenant until payment is made, during the process you will be kept informed of the progress. It is of course in your and in our interests to collect the rent promptly. You can take out a rent guarantee insurance policy for an extremely competitive additional fee that would assist with non payment of rent and the payment of legal fees.
7. Preparation of Tenancy Agreements
The Tenancy Agreement which will usually be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy will be for a minimum of six months is a legally binding document and is drawn up to protect your rights as well as detailing your and the Tenant’s responsibilities.
8. Health and Safety Compliance
It is essential that Landlords comply with Health and Safety requirements. The most recent and important legislation is the Housing Act 2004 which requires all homes to be safe.
The Housing Act introduced The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) which applies to all housing in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s). Briefly the HHSRS concentrates and has jurisdiction over the following;
Potential Fall Hazards
Internal and external stairs must be safe. Risers and treads must be even and of an appropriate size. There must be adequate guarding, handrails and lighting. Stair coverings must be in good condition. Width of staircases will also be considered. Tripping hazards must be minimised, examples include threshold steps, uneven or slippery floors and external surfaces. Window sill heights and window types must reduce the risk of falls. There must be adequate guarding to internal and external drops for example flat roof, light-wells, landings, garden patio and decking areas. Bathrooms must have adequate space. Light fittings must be secure and positioned to reduce the likelihood of an accident and the extent of any injury
Electrical Hazards
Electrical installations and electrical appliances must be safe. Live parts must be insulated and adequate earthing provided. There should be an adequate amount of electrical sockets to prevent overloading. Residual Current Device (RCD) protection is required.
Fire Hazards
Heating should be adequate and appliances safely positioned to minimise the use of portable heaters. Cookers should be properly sited.
Dampness and Mould
The structure and finishes of a dwelling should be maintained free from rising and penetrating dampness or persistent condensation.There should be sufficient and appropriate means of ventilation to deal with moisture generated by normal domestic activities together with adequate heating and insulation.
Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
All furniture and furnishings supplied by the landlord must comply with these fire safety requirements. This applies to both new and second hand furniture. The regulations include upholstered seating (including chairs, settees and sofa beds and headboards), children’s furniture, mattresses and padded bed bases, scatter cushions and pillows. All furniture must have the appropriate fire resistance labels attached.
Electrical Installations
A landlord has a duty of care to ensure that the electrical installation is safe and in good working order. It is recommended that a qualified electrician (NICEIC registered preferably) inspects the electrical wiring on a regular basis. At JW Wood we require a Domestic Electrical Inspection Condition Report (DEICR) is carried out at no more than five yearly intervals and that any recommended repairs are carried out.
The Defective Premises Act 1972
This imposes obligations on landlords to inspect their properties and check for reasonably foreseeable defects. A landlord can be liable for personal injury and damage caused by disrepair.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
These regulations require that all gas flues, fittings and appliances are maintained in a safe condition. A safety check must be carried out at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe Registered contractor. A copy of the valid test certificate (Gas Safety Record) must be issued to the tenants. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have a help line for advice and produce their own informative literature. The HSE Gas Safety Advice Line number is 0800 300 363.
Electrical Portable Appliances
Landlords have a duty to ensure that appliances are safe and in proper working order. To fulfil this duty at J W Wood we require appliances to be tested annually by a suitably qualified contractor to ensure that they comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990
This legislation empowers tenants and the council to obtain improvements to housing which is deemed to be “prejudicial to health.”
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (EPC)
Landlords must commission and obtain an EPC from a registered energy assessor before marketing their property. Prospective tenants must be given a complete copy of the EPC including the recommendation report.
JW Wood can on behalf of landlords arrange for the preparation of gas, electrical mains wiring, EPC’s, and electrical portable appliance certificates.
Disclaimer
The information and advice given above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However you are advised not to rely exclusively on what we say here as legislation or government advice may have changed since this document went to press. If you have a particular problem, you should take advice of a qualified expert in the relevant area. J W Wood will not accept liability for loss resulting from relying on advice given within this document.
9. Free Rental Assessments
We carry out free rental assessments to confirm how much rent you should be able to charge. At the same time we will also comment upon any relevant works that could improve the desirability of your property to potential tenants. To arrange a free rental assessment call us on 0191 3830184.
10. Effective Marketing
Our website site which is continually evolving to incorporate the latest developments, is easy to use and updated daily. We offer a huge choice of properties. We will advertise your property on the most successful property portal sites such as Rightmove. Our 24/7 marketing is supplemented by traditional well proven methods such as To Let boards.
11. Periodic Visits
We carry out periodic visits in order that we may determine that tenants are living in the property in a satisfactory manner and will also notify you if repairs are required
12. Insurance
Landlords will be liable to insure the building and their own contents. You must ensure that they are adequately insured.
13. RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)
We are regulated by RICS ensuring that we are accountable and your money is protected. We adhere to the strict rules of conduct by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, which is the most senior and respected property organisation in the world. http://www.rics.org/uk/regulation/regulation-uk/
