The LOCAL Name You Can TRUST
Letting Agents
www.baconandco.co.uk
Trust Bacon & Co with your investment...
contents
Contents 1
Cover
2
Contents
3
About us
4
Introduction Property inspection Prospective tenants and references Tenancy agreement
5
Deposit Inventory Schedule of condition Rent collection Rental guarantee
Property inspection Repairs to property EPC’s Bacon & Co services summary
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7
9
2
8
Who to contact before you decide to let Furniture and furnishings regulations
10
The gas safety regulations act
11
Our promise to you
12
Bacon & Co services
about us
Why are we so special? e are a local agent serving and supporting the local community. We are proud to sponsor Worthing Cricket Club, Lancing Football Club,Worthing Rugby Club, Sir Robert Woodard Academy Junior Band and Davison Youth Concert Band. We also regularly support St Barnabas and Chestnut Tree House Hospice.
We offer extensive advertising in local media including free and paid-for newspapers/magazines and comprehensive internet coverage including rightmove and find-a-property.com We are an independent agent and can offer a more flexible service. Bacon and Co. will charge no fees until your property is let.
We have many satisfied clients who have continued to use Bacon and Co. since 1990 and can provide testimony to our quality service.
We offer you a rent guarantee scheme giving peace of mind.
Our qualified staff have over 75 years experience in the local lettings market. You can feel secure in the knowledge that many of our staff have been with the company since being established in 1990.
We are a Member Firm of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP), holding professional indemnity insurance and are participating members of the Associations Client Money Protection Scheme.
We are supported by a network of six local offices throughout Worthing and Lancing which means more coverage for your property.
Most importantly Bacon and Co. listen to your requirements and will aim to tailor our service to meet them. Our company philosophy is to offer sound advice and a quality service.
Your property will be prominently displayed with a colour photograph in our offices until let and will be featured in our colour brochure which can be collected from any one of our six offices.
WE ARE CONFIDENT YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED
3
introduction
property inspection
prospective tenants and references
tenancy agreement
Thinking of letting your property? Introduction acon & Co’s Letting Department was established in 1990 by Lettings Director, Hayley Scammell, and has grown from strength to strength, earning an excellent reputation along the way. Letting has become increasingly popular as an investment or as an alternative to leaving your property empty whilst you are away. Whether you have a studio flat or a detached house there are always many potential tenants actively seeking rented accommodation. Our experienced and extensive referencing procedure, with rent guarantee, gives landlords peace of mind that their property is being left in capable hands. Set out below are brief details of the services we offer and some general advice to prospective landlords.
Property inspection To ascertain the rental figure you would expect to achieve, a trained member of staff from Bacon & Co will need to inspect the premises. At this stage, we can advise more fully on the type of tenants most suitable to the property and the tenancy agreement to be used.
Prospective tenants A member of staff will strictly accompany all prospective tenants wishing to view your property. At no time would the keys to your property leave our possession. If you are still in residence, a mutually convenient time would be made for us to call on you, again we would accompany the tenants so any queries you or they might have can be answered at the time of inspection. Choosing the right tenant is obviously important and any stipulations you wish to make are carefully noted i.e. no pets, no smoking, no children, no DSS etc.
References Our referencing agency operates an extensive credit search facility to determine any previous bad debts and carries out searches on all individual tenants. The agency will also need to satisfy themselves that the tenants are suitable by speaking with current and previous employers, landlords, letting agents and checking their financial status. Once a full investigation has been completed, an individual assessment will be sent to us confirming the prospective tenant’s suitability. If there is any doubt whether the tenants can afford the rental commitment, a guarantor will be sought. Once your tenants have been agreed and referenced you will be able to obtain rent protection insurance. Bacon & Co are pleased to reimburse you the cost of this insurance for the initial six month tenancy. Thereafter this insurance can be renewed subject to an annual or six monthly premium.
Tenancy agreement This is a carefully selected and worded document designed to safeguard your interests, whatever your particular circumstances. Your solicitor or building society may wish to look over the agreement and we would be happy to provide copies as requested. Once a tenant has been suited to your property and a date for occupation has been agreed, the tenancy agreement will then need to be completed and signed. We will be happy to sign on your behalf as agents or you may prefer to call at the office and sign personally.
4
Glenton Bacon and Hayley Scammell
deposit and inventory
rent collection
schedule of condition
rental guarantee
Thinking of letting your property? Deposit The Housing Act 2004 made provision for both the protection of tenancy deposits and the resolution of disputes over their return. Simply, this means that no landlord or agent is permitted to hold the deposit unless it is registered in an approved tenancy deposit scheme. Bacon & Co. are members of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and any deposit taken will now be retained by the agent and held within the deposit scheme (this applies whether the property is managed or let on an introductory basis only). Both the landlord and tenant will receive a certificate to show compliance with the regulation.You will also receive an explanatory leaflet which sets out in more detail the legislative requirements. Any landlord or agent failing to register a deposit could be fined heavily (three times the deposit value) and will be unable to enforce a Section 21 Notice requiring possession of the premises.
Inventory Should you decide to let your property furnished, an inventory would need to be prepared, listing items being left and a general summary of the condition. The tenant will be given a copy of the inventory on commencement of the tenancy and any comments he/she wishes to make should be noted and then returned to us within one week. Please see attached note Re: Fire Regulations on page 9. For preparing and typing the initial inventory the charges are: 1 bedroom properties £75.00 +vat 2/3 bedroom properties £100.00 +vat 4/5 bedroom properties £125.00 +vat (this includes the inspection and inventory check at the end of the tenancy). All further inventory checks will be charged at 30.00 +vat, if required.
Schedule of condition In all circumstances your property will be inspected by a member of our staff prior to commencement of the tenancy. We will prepare our own schedule of condition outlining our opinion of the state of decor, carpets, paintwork and any fixtures left at the property. Colour photos are included within this report to provide an accurate record of the condition prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Rent collection Rent is payable one month in advance and a statement is sent to you every month clearly stating disbursements. Rent will be remitted monthly in accordance with your instructions either direct to yourself or into your bank account in England. Bacon & Co. are not liable for the rent, but as your agent we can, in most cases, draw attention to an impending problem by a telephone reminder or warning letter. You would of course be notified should significant problems arise over the rent.
Rental guarantee This insurance must be obtained by the landlord but will be re-imbursed by Bacon & Co. for the first six months cover for managed properties only. This policy includes: Full legal cover Covers rent up to £2000.00 pcm Pays up to six months rent arrears (not including first months arrears) until vacant possession or end of six month cover period
5
repairs to property
property inspection
EPC’s
services summary
Thinking of letting your property? Property inspection During the tenancy, a trained member of staff from Bacon & Co. will inspect the property (within 4-5 months) and a printed report will be sent to the landlord on the general condition. Thereafter the reports will follow on a six monthly basis. Any additional inspections required by the landlord will be charged at £50.00+vat.
Repairs to the property We ask the right to spend up to £200.00 on urgent repairs. Where you have recommended a contractor for repairs we shall, of course, endeavour to use their services. However, in some circumstances, where urgent repairs are needed we may have to instruct a contractor of our choice in order to get the works carried out as soon as possible.
Energy performance certificate - EPC’s Legislation came into effect on 1st October 2008 requiring all properties marketed for rental to provide prospective tenants with an EPC. The certificates are valid for ten years for rental purposes. The cost of Bacon & Co. obtaining this certificate on your behalf is £85.00 +vat
Outlined below is a summary of the services included within our letting fee 1.
Initial property inspection
2. Advise on anticipated rental income 3. Advertise as necessary 4. Accompany any prospective tenants wishing to view the property 5.
Carry out credit search and referencing procedure
6.
Draw up tenancy agreement and take deposit monies
7.
Prepare schedule of condition
8.
Free rent and legal protection insurance for initial six months
9.
Collect rent
10. Remit rents to landlords 11. Carry out property inspection and prepare printed report 12. Final property inspection 13. Generally answer any queries or problems the tenant or landlord may have 14. Arrange maintenance and repairs, if requested
If you require any further information on any of these points or are looking for a particular service not included in this pack please do not hesitate to call us on 01903 756688
email letting@baconandco.co.uk
6
who to contact
Who to contact before you decide to let? 1
Building society or mortgage
2
Head landlord or freeholder
3
Accountant
4
Insurance company
Permission to let must be sought if there is a mortgage on the property.
If your property is leasehold, you may have to obtain consent to underlet the property from the landlord or freeholder.
It is advisable to check the tax implications with your accountant or financial advisor.
It is very important that you inform your insurance company of your intentions to rent the property and check that your building and contents (if applicable) are still covered while you are away.
Bacon & Co. can offer insurance designed specifically for landlords renting their homes. Please ask for further details.
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Post office
6
Council tax
7
Water rates
8
Electricity and gas
It is useful to have your email re-directed for the first few months, or alternatively ensure that a forwarding address is left so mail can be posted on.
Tenants are responsible for registering with the council tax officer when moving into a property and are individually responsible for both registration and payment of the charge.
The tenants are responsible for paying these rates unless otherwise stated on the agreement.
We shall inform the relevant services of the date of your vacation and arrange for a closing account to be sent. After your vacation the accounts will be transferred to the name of the tenants. Please do not arrange to have services disconnected as this will cause considerable delays and inconvenience to the tenants.
With the introduction of many new gas and electricity suppliers, your tenant may wish to choose an alternative supplier to that of your own. This should not cause any inconvenience to yourselves, as your old company would reconnect free of charge. However, if you have any strong objections to the supplier being changed please advise us in writing so that we are able to add this to the tenancy agreement. electricity and gas continued on page 8
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who to contact
Who to contact before you decide to let?
Electricity and Gas (continued) Please read IMPORTANT NOTES regarding The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations Act 1994 (see page 10) Landlords also have a duty to comply with The Low Voltage Electrical Equipment Regulations 1987, to maintain all electrical equipment supplied in a safe condition. All electrical appliances should therefore be inspected and tested annually. An inspection can be arranged at a cost of ÂŁ100.00+vat.
Telephone It is the landlords’ responsibility to advise their telephone provider of his/her vacation.
Tax There are many items of expenditure which may be deducted from the rental income before tax is assessed. We recommend you take advice from your accountant in this respect. If you are living abroad we have a responsibility under the Taxes Management Act 1970 to retain tax on your rental profit. However, in many circumstances this retention can be avoided by completing inland revenue form NRL 1 - (Non Resident Landlord Scheme) This document is available from the inland revenue or Bacon & Co. Landlords who are members of the armed services or employed on a government service are exempt from this provision. Upon request we are happy to provide an annual statement showing your income and expenditure for the financial year which will need to be included in your tax return.
Contact our residential lettings department on:
tel 01903 756688
fax 01903 766670
email letting@baconandco.co.uk 8
fire regulations
Important information Furniture & Furnishings (Fire & Safety) Regulations 1993 n 1st March 1993, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire & Safety) Regulations came into force. These regulations directly affect the way in which a landlord may furnish his let property. The regulations apply to all upholstery, upholstered furniture and loose fittings, permanent or loose covers. Some of these items include beds, mattresses, pillows, settees, armchairs, scatter cushions, beanbags and footstools. Please be aware that it is the landlords responsibility to check these items. Furniture that was manufactured before 1st January 1950 does not need to comply with the regulations, as the defective flammable materials were not in use prior to this date. ‘period’ or ‘antique’ furniture is therefore exempt from regulation. Non-compliance of the regulation carries a punishment of six months imprisonment or a level 5 fine, currently £5000.00 (or both). Most furniture manufactured since 1983 will probably comply and is marked with a ticket to show that it passes the ‘cigarette test’. Compliant furniture bears a label with a cigarette logo or a triangular sign confirming that the filling meets the 1988 safety regulations. To date this is the only way to make sure it does comply. If the furniture does not bear these labels and is clearly not pre 1950, it must be assumed that it does not meet the requirements and should be disposed of.
Contact our residential lettings department on:
tel 01903 756688
fax 01903 766670
email letting@baconandco.co.uk 9
gas regulations
Important information The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations Act 1994 ue to the number of deaths each year from faulty and unserviced equipment this act requires that all gas installations and the equipment connected to those installations must be serviced, tested and certified every year as safe. For each meter, boiler, cooker or fire in the property a series of tests must be carried out and each item certified by a GAS SAFE registered installer. A copy of this certificate must be supplied to the tenant. Bacon & Co. are happy to arrange this service for you by a qualified gas safe installer and will ensure that annual inspections are carried out in order to comply with the law. Charges for this service are as follows: Full service and gas safety certificate (1 appliance) ÂŁ60.00* For each additional appliance ÂŁ10.00 Landlords are of course free to use their own contractors but must ensure that certificates are provided to us on a strictly annual basis. *prices may be subject to change
Contact our residential lettings department on:
tel 01903 756688
fax 01903 766670
email letting@baconandco.co.uk 10
bacon & co. services
Our promise to you Unbeatable value
Unbeatable service
Put us to the test!
Our fees are only 10% plus vat. These fees will be deducted each month and will be clearly itemised on your monthly bill.
Fully protected Unlike other agents Bacon & Co. offer free rent and legal protection insurance for the initial six month tenancy. Chloe Hambrook
Large enough to cope, small enough to care
Geoff Simpson
We are independent specialists in lettings in our area. We currently manage a large amount of properties but still retain the ‘personal’ touch.
Peace of mind We understand your requirement from placing the right tenant to dealing with problems quickly. We treat your premises like our own, with care. Simon McWilton
Quality references We can arrange for our current landlords to provide references on our performance and service. Available upon request.
No hidden extras Vanessa Edney
We do not charge for tenancy renewal, schedule of condition or advertising.
Monica Lower
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bacon & co. services
We are confident you will be impressed with our service and our fees! Call Hayley Scammell today for further details
Your key to a successful letting 50 Crabtree Lane, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9PJ
tel 01903 756688
fax 01903 766670
email letting@baconandco.co.uk