1. We pride ourselves in never having a rent default, and we will do everything we can to maintain that record. 
2. Spend time working with you choosing the right tenant.
3. Over 10 years experience in renting properties and choosing tenants.
4. Our prices are reasonable and fair, maximising the profit from your investment.

Letting your property, especially for the first time, can be a worrying experience and with this in mind our most important consideration is providing you the Landlord with the best possible service and finding the right tenant for your property.

We never forget that the property is your most important asset and we can confidently assure you that by instructing us to act as your Letting and Management Agents your asset will be in professional and caring hands.  Catering for all types of landlords whether you have just one property or a large portfolio, we are happy to help.

We have been letting our own houses for over 10 years and would like you to share in our success so we are offering our unique personal service to you, maximising your investment. 

A Personal Service

Because we are a small firm, we are able to offer a personal service, with great attention to detail, whilst at the same time maintaining a high standard of competence and professionalism.

Competitive Rates

We offer very competitive rates and will design you a package to suit your needs, whether you just require a helping hand to get some viewings, through to a complete package on signing contracts, we price our service on as you go. Have you ever thought of letting your property yourself? for a small fee we will help you on your way.

Carefully Selected Tenants

Drawn from a continually updated register, all prospective tenants are thoroughly referenced and credit checked. In some cases we will also require a guarantor.  We will discuss all potential tenants with you and ultimately you will have plenty of information to choose the right tenant. By working closely with you we will ensure your property becomes the tenant's home making it a place they can afford and are comfortable and happy to reside in.  A happy tenant makes for a hassle free letting.

Professional, Reliable and Dependable

Propertymark members and members of the Property Redresss Scheme (PRS) you may arrest assure that we offer a professional, reliable and dependable, fully insured letting service.  All rental monies are dealt with through our 'client bank account' ensuring all rent collection is protected.

Fees:

Letting the property yourself - £69 We actively encourage you to let your property yourself.  It can be nerve racking the first time and so we are happy to guide your through the process. Helping you to list your properties on all the main properties websites, such a Rightmove, On the Market, Zoopla etc. and to guild you through the process of selecting a tenant.  We will provide you with a Propertymark approved contract template to ensure all the legal aspects are met.

Let us do the hard work - £395 -  We will market your property through the various portals, arrange views, conduct viewings and help you choose a perfect tenant.   This also includes up to two credit checks, checking references and anti-money laundering checks, drafting and signing contracts.

Fully Managed -  as above to find the tenant.  10% of the monthly income.

Other Charges that may apply:

Credit Checks £17

Reference Checks £5

AML Checks £15

Title Register Copy £12

Title Plan Copy £12

PAT Testing – £30 per hour

EICR (Electrical Installation Certificate Reports – POA

Gas Safety Checks – POA

EPC Energy Report – POA

End of Tenant Cleaning – POA

House Maintenance £30 per hour Minimum 2 Hours Charge

Additional letting agency work is charge at £30 per hour.

Letting Template Forms – £5

A handling fee of 20% or £5 (whichever is greater) is included to our prices on outsourced items.

Prices and offers shown are available in the county of Staffordshire, and border towns, such as Newport, Shropshire, Telford, Crewe, Ashbourne, and Wolverhampton.  Out of area locations may be unavailable or subject to additional charges, please contact us for more details.ingsi  

Letting your property, especially for the first time, can be a worrying experience and with this in mind our most important consideration is providing you the Landlord with the best possible service and the right tenant for your property.

Although we are here every step of the way to take all the hard workout of letting your property here is a guide of what is required for a successful tenancy.

We have found that a good relationship with Tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy.  As Property Managers this relationship is our job, but it is important that the Tenants should feel comfortable in their home and that they are receiving value for their money. It follows therefore that a well presented and maintained property in a good decorative order will go towards this, whilst also achieving a higher rental figure. Tenants are also more inclined to treat such a property with greater respect.

Gas & Electric

Electrical, gas plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the Landlords expense unless misuse can be established. Interior decorations should be in good condition and preferably plain, light and neutral.

Furnishings

Your property can be let fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished. Which of these is appropriate will depend on the type of property and local market conditions. We will be pleased to give you advice on whether to furnish or not and to what level. As a minimum you will need to provide decent quality carpets, curtains and light fittings. Remember that there will be wear and tear on the property and any items provided.  

Personal Items such as ornaments etc.

Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the owner’s risk.  All cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the tenant’s own use. 

Garden:

Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free, with any lawns and hedges cut. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the necessary tools. However few tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish us to arrange visits by our regular gardener.  

Cleaning

At the commencement of the tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the Tenants’ responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at their expense.  

Information for the Tenant

It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant, e.g. on operating the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system and the day refuse is collected etc.  

Keys:

You should provide one set of keys for each Tenant. If we will be managing the property, we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required at a reasonable cost.  

Mortgages

If your property is mortgaged, you should obtain your mortgage provider written consent to the letting. They may require additional clauses in the tenancy agreement of which you must inform us.  

Leaseholds If you are a leaseholder, you should check the terms of your lease, and obtain any necessary written consent before letting.  

Insurance

You should ensure that you are suitably covered for letting under both your buildings and contents insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your policies. We can provide information on Landlords Legal Protection, Rent Guarantee Cover and Landlords Contents and Buildings Insurance if required.  

Bills and Regular Outgoings

We recommend that you arrange for regular outgoings e.g. service charges, maintenance contracts etc. to be paid by standing order or direct debit. However where we are managing the property, by prior written agreement we may make payment of certain bills on your behalf, provided such bills are received in your name at our office, and that sufficient funds are held to your credit.  

Council Tax and Utility Bills

We will arrange for the transfer of Council Tax and utility accounts to the tenant. Meter readings will be taken, allowing your closing gas and electricity accounts to be drawn up.  All these matters we will handle for you, however British Telecom will require instructions directly from both the Landlord and the Tenant.  

Income Tax

When resident in the UK, it is entirely the Landlord’s responsibility to inform the Revenue & Customs of rental income received, and to pay any tax due. Where the Landlord is resident outside the UK during a tenancy, he will require an exemption certificate from the Revenue & Customs before he can receive rental balances without deduction of tax. Where we are managing the property we will provide advice and assistance on applying for such exemption.  

The Inventory

It is most important that an inventory of contents and schedule of condition be prepared, in order to avoid misunderstanding or dispute at the end of a tenancy.  Without such safeguards it will be impossible for the Landlord to prove any loss, damage, or significant deterioration of the property or contents.  In order to provide a complete service, we will if required arrange for a member of staff to prepare an inventory and schedule of condition, at the cost quoted in our agency agreement. 

What is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy?

Most tenancies will automatically be Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), provided the rent is under £100,000 a year and the property is let to private individuals. Tenancies are usually granted for an initial fixed term of either 6 to 12 months. When the fixed term has expired the landlord is able to regain possession of the property provided they give two months written notice to the tenant.

New rules on gaining possession via Section 21 apply to tenancies created on or after 1 October 2015. For more details visit https://www.gov.uk/evicting-tenants/section-21-and-section-8-notices

How to Rent Booklet

Update: 25/09/2015. New regulations come into force on the 1st of October 2015. They introduce new obligations on landlords to provide specific information to their tenants, and restrictions on the use of the Section 21 Notice.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) new regulations introduce new obligations on landlords to provide specific information to their tenants, and restrictions on the use of the section 21 Notice no fault possession procedure if they fail to do so.
The new regulations will only apply to new tenancies from 1st October 2015, and then to all tenancies from October 1st 2018.
From 01/10/2015 landlords will become responsible for giving tenants a booklet called “How to rent: the checklist for renting in England”.

The How to rent booklet is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65159e567c2c4a001395e1ea/DLUHC_How_to_rent_Oct2023.pdf

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 at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They must be maintained in a safe condition at all times, records kept for at least 2 years and a copy of the safety certificate given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences.  

Electric

There are several regulations relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety and these affect landlords and their agents in that they are ‘supplying in the course of business’. They include the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994, the 2005 Building Regulation – ‘Part P, and British Standard BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets. 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 only safe way to ensure safety, and to avoid the risk of being accused of neglecting your ‘duty of care’, is to arrange such an inspection and certificate.

Fire

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The 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. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950 and certain other items. Non-compliant items must be removed before a tenancy commences.  

Smoke & Carbon Dioxide Alarms

All properties built since June 1992 must have been fitted with mains powered smoke detector alarms from new.  Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in other ordinary tenanted properties (except HMOs) it is generally considered that the common law ‘duty of care’ means that Landlords and their Agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in a tenanted property where smoke alarms are not fitted. We therefore strongly recommend that the Landlords fit at least one alarm on each floor (in the hall and landing areas).

Update:
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 came into force on 1st October 2015. Landlords and managing agents may be liable to a £5000 fine if they fail to comply. The new legislation requires that all landlords must install a working smoke alarm on every floor of a property as well as carbon monoxide detectors in rooms where solid fuel appliances are present.
For more information please speak to one of our representatives.

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.  Whether mandatory licensing as above applies or not, if there are 3 or more tenants not all related in any property, it is still likely to be an HMO, and special Management rules will apply.  

The Housing Health & Safety Rating System

The HHSRS provides an analysis of how hazardous a property is through assessment of 29 potential hazards found in housing. Landlords have to maintain their properties to provide a safe and healthy environment. The HHSRS is enforced by local authorities.  

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 any disputes going to court each scheme is supported by an alternative dispute resolution service (ADR). Landlords and letting agents can choose between two types of scheme; a single custodial scheme and two insurance-based schemes.  

Disability Discrimination

From October 2010, the Equality Act replaced much of the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005, however the Disability Equality Duty in the DDA continues to apply. These Acts define disabled people’s rights in respect of premises that are let or to be let. Landlords and managers of let/to let premises are required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.  

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

Since 1st October 2008 landlords in England and Wales offering property for rent are required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate for their property. In Scotland EPCs for rental properties have been required since January 2009. The certificates must be provided free either when (or before) any written information about the property is provided to prospective tenants or a viewing is conducted. An EPCs is valid for 10 years. We can arrange an EPC inspection for our landlord clients upon request.  

The above is a brief summary of landlords’ responsibilities and of the laws surrounding tenanted property. We hope that you find it useful. If there are any aspects of which you are unsure, please ask us. We look forward to being of assistance to you in the letting and management of your property. If you wish you can print this page by using your browser Print option.