Landlords Guide and Fees

FULL MANAGEMENT:

Three weeks rent plus VAT. (ie Monthly rent £1000 = £830.77 incl VAT) 12% of gross monthly rent (10% plus VAT)

Tenant referencing fee per tenant £60 (£50 plus vat)

Tenancy Agreement Fee £180 (£150 plus vat)

LET ONLY SERVICE:

Three weeks rent plus VAT. (ie Monthly rent £1000 = £830.77 incl VAT) Tenant referencing fee per tenant £60 (£50 plus vat)

Tenancy Agreement Fee £180 (£150 plus vat)

Marketing

We will prepare property details with photos where appropriate, actively market your property using internet advertising and mailing.

Viewings

All viewing will be by appointment and/or accompanied according to your instructions.

Referencing

We currently use a professional referencing company who offer various levels of checks. These include credit checks, previous landlord references where appropriate, employment references and residency information. Further details available upon request.

Gas and Electrical Safety

The regulations place a duty on the landlord to ensure all gas and electrical appliances, flues, wiring and associated pipe work are maintained in a safe condition at all times.

Gas Safety

Gas appliances and installations must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Relevant certificate must be supplied to us before a tenancy can begin. Should you so wish Ashton’s can arrange this on your behalf— the fee is required in advance.

Electrical Safety

The wiring must meet all electrical and fire safety regulations. Also appliances must be checked on an annual basis by a suitably qualified contractor. The relevant certificate must be supplied. If you require Ashton’s to arrange the necessary checks the fee is required in advance.

Smoke Alarms and CO2 alarms

Smoke alarms must be fully functional and fitted with new batteries unless hardwired (before a new tenant moves in).

CO2 alarms must be present and fully functional if applicable before a new tenant moves in.

Furniture

All soft furnishing must comply with the resistance requirements which came into force in 1988.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

From 1st October 2008 all rental properties with a new tenancy in England and Wales will require to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of E or above.

An EPC is a review of the energy efficiency and environmental impact of your property and will be rated on a scale from A-G, A being the most efficient. It covers the running costs for heating, hot water, lighting and will also suggest energy saving improvements for the properties

Should you wish, Ashton’s can arrange this on your behalf — the fee is required in advance. Please contact Ashton’s for information on charges.

Tax Liability of Living Abroad

If you live abroad whilst your property is rented out, we as your agent, will be held responsible by the Inland Revenue for the payment of your tax liability on rent collected. Please supply us with your IR approval number if you are making arrangements or are exempt.

Mortgage & Building/Contents Insurance

Please notify your lender and insurance company that you are renting out your property.

Renewal fees

We charge a fee of £150 + VAT per tenancy renewal for managed properties, the fee is deducted from the rent. Let only renewals are charged at 50% of the original fee. The fee is to help cover the administration of the new tenancy agreement, deposit certificates, re- check the tenant’s immigration status as per the immigration act 2014 and renegotiating the rent and terms where needed.

Security Deposits

It is normal to collect a deposit equal to one month’s rent as security against damage/loss, taking into account “fair, wear and tear”. This will be deposited into The Deposit Protection Service. (www.depositprotection.com).

Inventory/Schedule of Condition

We strongly advise landlords to have a professional inventory/schedule of condition carried out. Should a dispute arise concerning the deposit at the end of a tenancy an inventory will be essential. Ashton’s can arrange this for you (chargeable).

Council Tax and Utilities

Please provide copies of all recent bills in order that we can arrange transfer to the tenants Maintenance (Management only)

We will respond to reports from tenants regarding maintenance issues and instruct tradesmen accordingly. We will attempt to contact you before instructing any work subject to the urgency of the situation.

Property Inspection (Management only)

We will make visits every six months and advise you of any maintenance or repair issues

which we consider should be brought to your attention. Such visits, however, should not be regarded as anything more than a check to ensure that the tenants are observing the conditions of the agreement and are generally looking after the property. We do not carry out inspections between tenancies.

Sale of Property

In the event that a tenant we introduced proceeding to purchase the property, a fee of 1.5% plus VAT of the sale price at exchange of contracts is payable.

Rent (Management only)

We will collect the rent each month and send you a statement detailing any expenses. Payments will normally be made to your account electronically. It is normal for a payment to take 3 working days to arrive. Please note this applies to both the tenant’s payment to us, as well as our payment to you (i.e. 6 working days).

End of Tenancy

The Tenant must give one month’s notice, whilst the Landlord would give two month’s notice. Please, therefore, advise us of your intentions, and bear in mind the day of the month the Tenancy began would also be the date of termination.

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