Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
Residential Sales Residential Lettings Property Management
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
South Croydon Croham Hurst Selsdon
Purley
Sanderstead Kenley
Riddlesdown
Farleigh
Hamsey Green Whyteleafe
Caterham
Warlingham Woldingham
020 8657 4466 | sales@pollardmachin.co.uk 020 8651 5895 | lettings@pollardmachin.co.uk www.pollardmachin.co.uk 45 Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, Surrey CR2 9LA
Welcome‌ Pollard Machin are Sanderstead's longest established Estate Agent dating back to 1885. Today, Pollard Machin continues to be a well respected local independent estate agency, firmly rooted in the local community and we pride ourselves on the friendly and professional service we provide. We have developed a strong presence in the area, successfully selling and lettings property for throughout the Sanderstead, South Croydon, Warlingham, Selsdon and Purley areas. Our reputation for professionalism has been built by offering honest independent advice and always being prepared to go that extra mile for our customers. We offer old fashioned service standards, traditional estate agency and cutting edge technology to market your home. When you instruct Pollard Machin, you are dealing with a local independent firm with vast knowledge and expertise. This, combined with expert marketing ensures that all our customers receive the best advice and ultimately the best price for their property, whilst experiencing excellent levels of customer care and communication. All viewings are accompanied by one of our highly experienced team, who all live locally and know the market inside-out. In a highly competitive market place, you require an estate agent that consistently achieves and exceeds their customer’s expectations and a team which has a proven track record of obtaining the maximum return for your property and which thrives, regardless of market conditions. Our knowledge of local property markets, combined with our energy, enthusiasm and integrity to succeed on your behalf are our strongest qualities! Selling and letting property is governed by a raft of legislation; AntiMoney Laundering, The Property Ombudsman, Office of Fair Trading, Trading Standards and Energy Performance Certificates. Our terms of business are fully compliant with all relevant legislation, which is ever changing, and we carefully steer our clients through it all to ensure the process of moving home runs as smoothly as possible!
Professional Sales… Our aim is to achieve the best possible price for your property, with a swift, smooth exchange and a hassle free completion. Our record of success has been built upon a single minded desire to provide you, our customer, with a first class personal service delivered by highly motivated and highly experienced property professionals. We will work with you to agree a marketing plan in which together we will consider every aspect of the transaction, agree the timescales available and provide the highest quality service at competitive commission rates - all delivered on a no sale, no fee basis! Prominent Office Location Our centrally located office is located in a busy town centre location, which will ensure your home is seen by the widest audience, day and night. With eye catching window displays and a contemporary open plan design our offices provide the ideal environment for buyers to discuss their property needs in a relaxed atmosphere. Accurate Valuations Obtaining the best possible price for your property is an important factor in any move. Our experience and ongoing involvement in the property market means we are best placed to provide you with the right advice and ensure your home is marketed at the right price. Our aim is always to help you to achieve your financial and personal objectives within your preferred time scale. When you instruct us, we ensure every member of our team involved in the sale of your property has an in-depth knowledge of your home. Proactive We do not leave the selling of our clients’ properties to chance. Every new instruction is immediately telephoned out and emailed to waiting applicants. Registered buyers who are in a position to proceed receive a priority telephone call. We make a point of getting to know what our buyers are looking for so we are in a position to introduce prospective buyers whose requirements are compatible with your home and try to avoid bringing people to your property who are not in a position to make a purchase. Internet Footprint Increasingly more buyers use the Internet in their property hunt using the most popular on-line search engines. Accordingly we invest significantly in promoting all of ‘our’ properties on Rightmove and OnTheMarket. In addition we promote all of the properties on our register on our website www.pollardmachin.co.uk.
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
Real-time Digital Marketing and E-Mail Alerts With our advanced software, we are able to take advantage of portals that allow ‘real-time’ uploads. This means your property can be visible on the world wide web within hours of instruction. Home buyers are also notified of properties new to the market via automated alerts, with an e-mail straight to their in-box as soon as a new property matching their search criteria is added. The Mobile World The mobile world is growing at an incredible rate with a high percentage of buyers browsing for property on mobile devices. Your property is available to view via desktop, laptop and mobile, ensuring your property is always accessible to buyers. Sales Particulars and Professional Brochures High quality sales details and professionally printed brochures include internal and external digital photography, floor plans, an EPC and useful information to assist with the buyers’ decision making process. Accompanied Viewings All viewings of your property are accompanied by an experienced member of our sales team who is trained to identify buyer signals and will be able to give prompt and honest feedback to clients. For Sale Boards For maximum impact our distinctive ‘For Sale’ board will market your property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Prospective buyers often house-hunt with area drive-bys so a distinctive signboard is an important selling tool (albeit optional to the client). Open House For some properties where we anticipate a strong demand we will recommend an Open House. It is a simple and effective means to showcase a property to a collection of viewers within a specified hour on one set day. This method stimulates buyer activity and competing bids. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Energy Performance Certificates are required by law on all properties for sale and are valid for ten years, provided no changes are made to the property that would affect the energy ratings. We can arrange for a qualified inspector to provide an EPC on request. Peace of Mind Pollard Machin are registered with the Ombudsman of Estate Agents, an independent third party redress scheme, designed to protect our customers in the unlikely event of a dispute.
Expert Lettings‌ Increasing the desirability of your property by presenting it in the best possible way will maximise your rental figure by reducing marketing time and minimising void periods. It is important that the property looks inviting to prospective tenants. We recommend proper cleaning before marketing. It is a condition of the tenancy that it is left in the same state at the end of the tenancy as it was found - so this is a worthwhile investment. The rooms should be free from clutter with only the fixtures and fittings that are to be left for use by the incoming tenant on display. We recommend a choice of neutral colours for the decor. We have approved contractors for cleaning, decorating and general repair if required. The property can be let either furnished or unfurnished. In either case, it should have curtains and carpets where applicable. Where a property is to be let furnished, it should have the appropriate number of beds, wardrobes and chests of drawers. The kitchen must have white goods and the extent of these is a major factor in tenants paying the highest rental values. For example, many tenants look for microwave ovens and tumble dryers in addition to the standard equipment. Crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils are essential as is a table at which to eat. Quality bathrooms are also important. Finding a suitable tenant quickly is the best way to maximise rental income - here is how we do it‌ Finding a Tenant There are many aspects to renting, but few so important as finding a suitable tenant quickly. Pollard Machin always tries to find the right tenant whether private individuals or a Company let. Marketing is the key issue. Pollard Machin uses traditional advertising in a wide and varying range of publications. Our website ensures that all properties are displayed the same day as instructions are received to find a tenant. Additionally, all properties are advertised on the popular property portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket. All viewing appointments are accompanied by an experienced member of the lettings team. Once a tenant agrees to rent a property, a holding deposit is taken together with referencing fees. An independent, specialist company who report to us on the suitability of the tenant seeks references. These findings are of course reported to you for your approval. Each tenant is assessed on the basis of: Employment reference; Previous Landlord reference (where applicable); Search of public records for evidence of previous address and credit score; Students are required to provide a guarantor who is referenced separately and who is obliged to sign a guarantors agreement.
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
Once we have finalised all the details of the tenancy, we will arrange for all parties to sign the agreement and collect one months advance rent together with the balance of the security deposit, equivalent to five weeks rent prior to release of keys. Legal Issues Tenancy agreements are constantly evolving in accordance with changes in legislation. Pollard Machin pride themselves on having up to date agreements that reflect the very latest changes. They are written in plain English and are consistent with the Office of Fair Trading’s guidance in respect of Unfair Terms of Contract. Safety regulations are legal requirements for letting residential property. Non-compliance with these regulations carries substantial fines and possible imprisonment and is decided by the Courts. At all times, both a landlord and their agent have a duty of care to the tenant. There are four key areas one must consider: Gas Safety Landlords are legally obliged to ensure that all Gas services and appliances within a let property are in full repair. You will need to obtain from a Gas Safe Registered Plumber/Heating Engineer a Certificate of Safety. Such inspections must be carried out annually with a new Certificate issued on each occasion. If you do not have an appointed Plumber/Heating Engineer we will be happy to recommend one that you may wish to use. It must be stressed that the onus to have these inspections carried out is upon the Landlord and not his agent A written record must be kept and made available for inspection by any tenant. These inspection records must be kept for a period of not less than two years. Furniture and Furnishings Anything in the property which is upholstered or has a filling material must comply with Fire Safety Regulations with the exception of antique furniture. All furniture manufactured after 1st March 1989 is required to comply with this legislation and will be labeled accordingly. If items are not labeled, they do not comply and may not be left in the property. Electrical Safety There are a number of regulations appertaining to electrical safety. The law requires that all equipment supplied is safe. In practice, the only effective way to ensure compliance and tenants safety is by employing a competent person to test the equipment before the property is let. Instruction booklets for the operation of electrical equipment should be supplied.
Expert Lettings… Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Government legislation requires landlords to install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms where appropriate in all rented accommodation. Legionella Assessment Landlords are required to perform a risk assessment for Legionnaire’s Disease. Consents If your property is mortgaged you will need to obtain consent from your Bank or Building Society prior to letting. If your property is leasehold, you may also require consent from the Head Lessor, Freeholder or Management Company. Insurance You will need to advise your Insurance Company that you are renting the property and ensure that you comply with any conditions imposed. This applies to both buildings and contents insurance. Your tenant should also have contents insurance in place. You are not responsible for their possessions. Inventory We consider it imperative that an independent, professional inventory be commissioned. This comprises not only a full list of contents (where applicable) but also a schedule of condition. Energy Performance Certificate By law you must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when a property is offered for rent. The EPC is valid for ten years. Taxation The rental income you receive is viewed as ‘unearned’ income and subject to UK tax, whether you are a resident in the UK or not and must be declared on your Self-Assessment return. Certain items may be offset against the rental income so you should keep copies of your monthly statements and invoices. Please note: Income tax is payable on all rental income arising from property in the UK regardless of the residential status of the landlord. If you are currently overseas or you intend moving abroad then further rules apply but you will still normally be required to pay the lower rate of income tax on the net income earned on any let property. We strongly advise any landlord to seek professional advice from an accountant to deal with their tax affairs as many of the costs incurred in renting can be offset against the income.
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
ARLA Property Mark At Pollard Machin we are proud members of ARLA property mark, an independent body which encourages agents to maintain the highest industry standards, this includes membership of Client Money Protection, giving our clients additional peace of mind. Tenancy Deposit Scheme It is a mandatory requirement to protect a tenant’s deposit within a Government approved scheme. We are members of a tenancy deposit protection scheme which is administered by: The Deposit Protection Service - The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6AA Telephone: 0330 303 0030 W www.depositprotection.com Alternatively, landlords who wish to make their own arrangement with a Government approved scheme can do so but must provide to us and the tenant a certificate confirming that the monies are protected by a Government approved scheme. Let Only Our let only service is suited for experienced landlords who have the time and resources to deal with the issues that arise from renting a property. One must consider issues such as emergency call outs, lost keys, insurance claims, faulty appliances etc. Additionally, the service of notices is crucially important in order to regain possession of the property at the appropriate time. If you live overseas, you must by law provide a UK address at which notices can be served. Rent Collection If you’re happy to deal with any property maintenance issues that may arise and organise suitable contractors but you don’t want to find tenants or collect rent then this could be the service for you. We collect rents by standing order and forward them promptly to your bank, a monthly statement of your account is sent to you which will show any deductions made for maintenance, etc. If required we can forward copies of your statements to your accountant and/or solicitor if requested. Of course, should the rent not be forthcoming we chase any late payments, pursue guarantors (where applicable) and keep you fully informed. Property Management The responsibility of a landlord can be daunting. The property needs to be well cared for and problems must be resolved quickly. If you live out of the area or simply do not have enough time to look after the day-to-day issues, which arise from having a rental property, then our property management service deals with all aspects of looking after your investment.
What next? What is required to let my property? Below is a table to help you ensure you meet all the requirements to enable a tenant to move in to your property: Prior to Marketing: Ensure consent is sought from any leaseholder or mortgage provider or any other party with an interest in the property. Ensure your property is in a good state of repair and is both clean and tidy. Ensure all rubbish and personal effects are removed Provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Ensure you have advised us of any part of the property not to be included in the tenancy agreement. Ensure a contract has been signed, giving us authority to act on your behalf, where applicable. Prior to Move-In: If there is gas at the property, you are required by law to provide a current valid Gas Safety Certificate. Ensure all appliances to be left at the property are “safe to use� and in good working order. Ensure instruction manuals are left at the property to secure safe use by tenant(s). Ensure relevant smoke alarm(s) and carbon monoxide detector(s) are fitted. If utilities are via a meter key/card, please provide the key/card for the tenant. Ensure you have a record of any electrical inspections carried out on the property. Checks are recommended at least every 5 years. Ensure windows have curtains, nets or blinds for use by the tenant. This can also help with security if the property is vacant. Ensure all furniture to remain at the property meets with current legislation and is labeled accordingly. Anything not meeting these requirements cannot remain at the property. Ensure an inventory is available on the property. We can arrange one for you if required, subject to an additional cost. Please allow sufficient time, prior to move-in, for the inventory to be carried out. If moving abroad and renting a property, ensure Tax Exemption Certificate (NRL1) is applied for (if applicable). Ensure you have sufficient buildings, contents and rent guarantee insurance for the property. Provide adequate keys for the tenant(s) and one set to remain with the agent.
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
Pollard Machin estate agents since 1885
020 8657 4466 | sales@pollardmachin.co.uk 020 8651 5895 | lettings@pollardmachin.co.uk www.pollardmachin.co.uk 45 Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, Surrey CR2 9LA