Cambridge Property Lettings
 Information for Landlords
Cambridge Property Lettings Cambridge Property Lettings Chapter 1
To ensure the best possible service Cambridge Property Lettings invests in highly trained and motivated staff and the latest lettings software, ensuring a personal and efficient service. Looking after Landlords’ valuable assets is a great privilege and responsibility, which is why our motto is ‘Looking after your property as if it was our own’. ~ Trevor Hames, Founding Director and former Solicitor
The Landlords’ Perfect Choice Professional. Experienced. Recommended Marketing your property We promote properties via On The Market and of course our own website. (www.cambridgepropertylettings.co.uk) Tenant enquiries are logged and daily emails of available properties sent to applicants. When carrying out our regular inspections we enquire of tenants their future plans, which usually means we can advertise available properties well in advance and minimising void periods. Whilst it is impossible to guarantee the ‘perfect tenant’ we work hard to find landlords the ideal arrangement. We employ a referencing company and use the face-to-face contact of viewings to assess potential tenants’ suitability.
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Chapter 2
Our Services
We offer a range of services from Fully Managed to Rent Collection only. Whichever agreement you choose, you can always expect professional service.
Our Services Fully managed - We take on all the responsibility from beginning to end
Let Only - We find the tenant and the landlord manages the letting
~ property appraisal and marketing ~ tenant finding ~ rent negotiation ~ referencing and full credit check ~ preparation of tenancy agreement ~ obtaining Energy Performance Certificate ~ registration of deposit ~ preparation of inventory ~ day to day management of the property (taking on the hassle!) ~ obtaining and renewing electrical fittings and appliances certificates ~ obtaining and renewing Gas Safety Certificates ~ collecting the deposit and monthly rent due ~ dealing with day to day general repairs and maintenance on your behalf, subject to an agreed limit ~ arranging for emergency repairs ~ pro-active maintenance protecting your asset ~ regular property inspections ~ final check out inspection
~ property appraisal and marketing ~ tenant finding ~ rent negotiation ~ referencing and full credit check ~ preparation of tenancy agreement ~ registration of deposit Rent Collection only - We take care of collecting monthly rental payments on behalf of a landlord.
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Chapter 3
Our Fees
What’s covered and what is not...House appraisals, Tenant Finding Fees, Full Property Management, Detailed inventories and Re-letting fees.
 All our fees include VAT unless specified.
Section 1
Our Fee Structure Fully managed Energy Performance Certificate £78 Floor plan £48 Registration of deposit with TDS £36 Letting fee £120 inc VAT Re-let fee to existing tenant for further fixed term £60 Ongoing Monthly Management fee of 12% inc VAT For properties with students/sharers the ongoing Monthly Management Fee is 14.4% inc VAT
Let only A one off fee of 50% of the first months rent + VAT, subject to a minimum £600 inc VAT minimum charge to be deducted from the first months rent. We can put you in touch with companies who will prepare inventories, EPC and floor plans if required.
Preparation of Inventory ~ For furnished properties add £30 inc VAT (Subject to the extent of the furnishings)
~One bedroom ~Two bedroom ~Three bedroom ~Four bedroom ~Five bedroom
£90 £102 £114 £126 £138
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Chapter 4
Regulations and requirements for rental
Making the property safe As a landlord, you are placed under a number of legal obligations. Where we are managing the property for you, compliance also becomes our responsibility. Therefore we will ensure that current legislation is adhered to on your behalf when you appoint us as your agent.
Stay legal, stay safe... Gas Annual safety check: Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Maintenance: There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipe work are maintained in a safe condition at all times. Records: Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspections of each appliance and flue, of any defects found and of any remedial action taken. Copies to tenants: A copy of the certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out. 8
Electrical There are several regulations relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety. These affect landlords in that they are 'supplying in the course of business'. They include: • Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 • Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994 • 2005 Building Regulation - Part P • British Standard BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets.
Portable Appliance Testing: We recommend that as few portable electrical appliances as possible are left at the property. However, it is necessary for free-standing
white goods to remain, and we will arrange to have these tested on an annual basis on your behalf, along with any other electrical items that are not hard wired in. Electrical Inspection Condition Report: Although with tenanted property there is currently no legal requirement for an electrical safety certificate (except in the case of all HMOs) it is now widely accepted in the letting industry that the best way to ensure safety and to avoid the risk of being accused of neglecting your 'duty of care', or even of manslaughter, is to arrange such an inspection and certificate. We have negotiated a special price for our Landlords to have the Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) carried out and can arrange this on your behalf. (£90)
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Fire The Furniture and Furnishings (FireSafety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. 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.
Items not included under the regulations: antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bedcovers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, bed linen, 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. We will check compliance on your behalf prior to agreeing a tenancy.
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My experience with your company has been nothing but positive, and I will certainly recommend you to my friends and colleagues should the situation arise ~ Paul Doyle
Smoke Alarms All properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated smoke detectors on each floor of the building. Whilst there are currently no specific statutory regulations relating to the provision of smoke detectors in older buildings, ARLA support the recommendations of the Fire & Safety Officers Association for current BS standard battery operated devices to be fitted to stairways and hallways on each floor. We will arrange to have detectors fitted for you prior to the commencement of any tenancy.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Fatal carbon monoxide fumes can be produced by the combustion of any fossil fuel. Alongside regular servicing and maintenance of gas, oil or solid fuel fired systems, it is widely recognised as best practice to fit a carbon monoxide detector at the property. We will arrange this for you prior to the commencement of any tenancy.
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Further regulations Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) From 1st October 2008 Landlords in England and Wales offering property for rent have been required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate, which is valid for 10 years. We cannot market the property if there is no EPC, and will arrange for one to be compiled as soon as you instruct us. We can arrange an EPC inspection for our landlords upon request. Where you are already in possession of such a certificate, you will need to
provide us with the 20 digit reference number before we can start advertising the property.
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The extent and quality of your service is outstanding ~ P&S North
Is your property a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)? If your property is on 3 or more levels and let to 5 or more Tenants comprising 2 or more households (i.e. : not all of the same family) it will be subject to mandatory licensing by your local authority. In Cambridge, whether mandatory licensing as above applies or not, if there are 2 or more Tenants not all related in any property, it is still likely to be an HMO, and special Management rules apply. We will advise you on the current legislation.
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme 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. To avoid disputes going to court, each scheme is supported by an Alternative Dispute Resolution Service (ADR) Cambridge Property Lettings is a member of The Dispute Service.
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Preparing your property to let: In Cambridge it is expected that properties come with curtains, lampshades, carpets, cooker, washing machine, fridge and freezer. Dishwashers are normal for larger properties, as are tumble dryers. Tumble Dryers are highly recommended to avoid problems with mildew. Furnishing a property generally does not increase the rent. However, for some properties it increases the demand and enables us to obtain the best possible
rent with minimal void periods. We are happy to advise what is appropriate. Where there is a garden you are expected to supply gardening tools and lawn mower. If the garden is large or student accommodation, it is advisable to use a gardening service at the landlords’ expense. The standard of rental properties in Cambridge is generally high, so it is important to present your property in the best possible light. Please ask if you want our advice on how to present your property in order to obtain the best return. 14
Take the first step...
Phone 01223
32 22 77
and speak to Jeremy Liming Director
Email: cpl@home.letmc.com
Tel: +44 (0)1223 322277 Head Office: Cambridge Property Lettings Ltd Rose & Crown House 110 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8HE
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Cambridge Property Lettings is registered in England & Wales. Company No. 05833061 Registered Office: Rose & Crown House, 110 Newmarket Road, Cambridge. CB5 8HE VAT No. 900 3885 41 © Cambridge Property Lettings LTD 2015 xvi
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