PREPARE FOR YOUR VIEWINGS
First impressions are incredibly important and there are a number of tasks you can carry out to increase the marketability of your property. Here is a quick checklist to help you prepare for your viewings, but please do not hesitate to discuss this with us further so we can tailor our advice to your exact property.

• If in any doubt, neutral paint, colours and carpets are distinctly preferable throughout the property, at all times.
• The Front door/Entrance should be clean and the Entrance Hall clear of any obstructions as first impressions are important -  clear away old mailers & post! 
• The entire property should be professionally cleaned and well-aired and the garden tidy (if applicable).
• If the weather is cold, heating should be turned on and, in warmer conditions, windows opened.
• Animals and their odours should be eliminated. 

FINDING THE RIGHT TENANT/S AND ACCEPTING THE OFFER
When we have found you appropriate tenant/s we will notify you and discuss any relevants details and terms.  Once you have accepted the tenant/s and their offer we will begin the referencing process.

REFERENCING THE TENANT/S
Our referencing process is rigorous and handled by a professional referencing company.  The referencing includes, Identity Checks, Proof of address, Credit Check, Employment Check, Current Landlord Check and a thorough Credit Check for all tenants and we reserve the right to decline an application in the interests of protecting the Landlord's interests.

TENANCY DEPOSITS
Legislation introduced on 6th April 2007 ensures that all deposits taken from tenants under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements and being held against possible damage to a property or non-payment of rent, must now be covered by a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.   In the event there is an unresolved issue over the allocation of a deposit, it can be referred to the scheme for an independent third party adjudication, which will provide a resolution fair to the Landlord and tenant.  If you would like further information on this you can find this on the website of the Tenancy Dispute Service at www.tds.gb.com  Trend & Thomas is a member of the Tenancy Dispute Service and all our Fully Managed properties are lodged with this service.

UTILITIES
We will ask you to provide us with a accurate record of the Utility companies that service the property along with relevant meter numbers and the location of these meters.  We will notifty the incoming tenant of this information and if we manage the property we will ensure meter readings are taken at the beginning and end of all tenancies and the relevant Utilities notified.  

SAFETY REGULATIONS
As a Landlord, you have an obligation to ensure that your property complies with all the necessary regulations covering gas appliances, electrical installations and any furnishings supplied for the Tenancy.  We will advise you on all these matters and if we manage the property we will arrange for all necessary checks to be carried out.  It is a legal requirement to provide the tenant and letting agent with a valid Landlord’s gas certificate every 12 months and we recommend the dual certificate which covers gas and electrical appliances.

INVENTORIES
With the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme it has become necessary for us to insist Landlords carry out professional and independent Inventories for all properties.  This gives a clear and precise record of the condition of the property at the outset of the tenancy and ensures there are no queries or disputes when the tenant comes to leave the property.  We can arrange to have high standard Inventories carried out on your behalf along with full property Checks on the tenancy start date and completion.

INSURANCE
It is advisable to have reviewed your Insurance coverage to include Landlord status in addition we can offer a Rent Guarantee insurance for peace of mind.  Please contact us for further information and details with regard Insurance and the specific companies we work with to provide specialised Landlord insurance.

WHICH SERVICE IS FOR YOU?

TENANT FIND ONLY vs FULLY MANAGED SERVICE
You have the option to instruct us to either simply find you a Tenant for your property or we can Fully Manage the property for you on your behalf.  Our terms and conditions will give you much greater detail as to the finer points of each option and we will be happy to discuss these in detail with you so please feel free to contact us to clarify anything regards this.

On a Tenant Find Only basis we are responsible for:

• Preparing all the marketing particulars for your property
• Arranging for your EPC to be produced (if not already in existence)
• Fully marketing the property as above
• Carrying out all viewings and negotiations
• Making you aware of the necessary Safety requirements for your property e.g. the annual Gas Safety Check
• Arranging an Inventory and Cleaning should you instruct us on this 
• Referencing the successful tenant/tenants
• Producing the Tenancy Agreements
• Collecting the Holding Deposit
• Collecting the Tenancy Deposit and first months rent on your behalf
• Meeting with the tenant/tenants to have the Agreements signed and handing over the keys
• From this point onward, any enquiries from the Tenant will come directly to yourselves.

If we are instructed on a Fully Managed basis we are responsible for: 

• Preparing all the marketing particulars for your property
• Arranging for your EPC to be produced (if not already in existence)
• Fully marketing the property
• Carrying out all viewings and negotiations
• Arranging for the Safety requirements to be carried out for the property
• Arranging an Inventory and Cleaning
• Referencing the successful tenant/tenants
• Arranging for Rent Guarantee and any other Insurance requirements you might have - should you require this
• Producing the Tenancy Agreements
• Collecting the Holding Deposit
• Collecting the Tenancy Deposit and first months rent on your behalf and lodging the Tenancy Deposit with the TDS service
• Meeting with the tenant/tenants to have the Agreements signed and handing over the keys
• Checking the Tenant/tenants into the property should you require this
• Taking responsibility for all the day to day enquiries and contact from the Tenant
• Arranging for any repairs and maintenance to be carried out throughout the tenancy
• Making property visits on an annual basis to check the condition of the property
• Providing a key holding service
• Renegotiating the Tenancy at the end of the term
• Handling the Check Out and Deposit return negotiations

We hope this introduction to our Landlords services has been helpful and please click here if you would like to arrange a market appraisal for your Rental property.

 SOME HELPFUL ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR LANDLORDS   

• Written consent must be obtained from your Mortgage Provider/Freeholder (if property is leasehold) before letting your property
• Your Insurance Company must be notified that the property is to be rented out and appropriate insurance obtained for a tenanted property. We can put you in touch with specific Landlord Insurance companies so please feel free to ask our advice.
• The Inland Revenue must also be informed within 6 months of letting your property, flat or apartment in the UK and failure to do so will incur penalties, interest and other consequences. The Inland Revenue are apt to deal harshly with Landlords who do not declare rental income and it is always best to seek advice on tax planning and Capital Gains Tax from a fully qualified Accountant.
• Your personal mail should be redirected via Royal Mail. 
• At least two sets of keys will need to be provided.
• We insist professional Inventories are carried out on all properties.
• Meter readings for all Utilities will need to be taken (these meter readings are taken within the above professional Inventories).
• We strongly advise all our Landlords to have a Check In carried out in order to avoid any discrepancies when the tenant vacates the property.
• Furnished or Unfurnished - Most professional Tenants prefer the property to be unfurnished and it has been found that a Tenant is likely to respect the property more if they have their own possessions. Moreover the difference between rent for furnished or unfurnished is negligible and the Landlord remains responsible for the repair of replacement of any furnishings which become broken or worn (unless this was caused by a deliberate act of the Tenant – see Damage Deposits).