Landlords
What service options are available for landlords?
We understand all landlords are looking for different service levels, depending on your current situation.
LSL is providing the following services to landlords:
We carry out regular, thorough property inspections, using a detailed inventory and taking photographs at every visit to create an in-depth inspection report. Each report provides both landlord and tenant with a regular, accurate record of the property’s condition, giving reassurance to the landlord and helping reduce the risk of disputes at a later date.Because our Property Managers are highly experienced and are each dedicated to caring for a portfolio of properties, they can spot maintenance issues before they become serious or cause damage. By ensuring issues are dealt with promptly, potentially more serious problems are nipped in the bud, thus avoiding the need for more costly repairs later. This comprehensive service is the most popular amongst our landlords. This is primarily due to tenants, especially corporate ones will only consider a property if it is being managed by an agent. This often enables us to serve a premium rent for these properties.
(for more information please visit “Property Management“)
This service is for Landlords who require LSL to administer their rent. Landlords have to deal with the repairs and maintenance themselves. We market your property following our initial visit, arrange accompanied viewings, find a suitable tenant for your property, run a full tenant and referencing check, organise a detailed inventory and all the necessary legal paperwork, and collect and transfer the monthly rent and deposit.
We market your property following our initial visit, arrange accompanied viewings, find a suitable tenant for your property, run a full tenant and referencing check, organise a detailed inventory and all the necessary legal paperwork, and collect and transfer the first month rent and deposit.
If you would like to conduct your own viewings and handle enquiries this service is for you. This includes marketing packages to advertise for example on Rightmove & Zoopla .
We will visit your property to discuss valuation, arrange marketing description, photos and advertise your property on Rightmove or Zoopla. We handle all initial enquiries and forward them to you via email & phone. Once you have found a “fitting” tenant we arrange for tenant referencing, first month rental & deposit collection and registration. If you would like to add a Floorplan, Video, EPC, Gas Certificate, you simply “pay as you go”. You choose, we supply. See all Flexi Plans.
Landlord Responsibilities – Check List
* Do you have a buy-to-let mortgage or permission from your mortgage company to let the property? If you currently have a mortgage, you should have either of the above before you rent your property; speak to your mortgage company if you’re unsure.
* Do you have a current gas safety certificate ? The certificate must have been provided by a Gas Safe engineer within the past 12 months in order to be valid.
* Do you have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property? EPCs compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of your property with potential figures it could achieve – any house that is bought, sold or rented requires a valid EPC. They are valid for 10 years.
* Have you protected the tenant’s deposit with an approved tenancy deposit protection scheme? There are three Government approved schemes – The DPS, the only free-to-use scheme, The Dispute Service and MyDeposits. It’s compulsory to protect tenants’ deposits.
* Have you provided the Prescribed Information to the tenants? This is a requirement of the tenancy deposit protection scheme. You must provide certain information to tenants either as part of the Tenancy Agreement or on a separate form.
* Does your property need a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence? DirectGov guidance states that this is required if the property is over three floors, or occupied by five or more people who form more than one household.
* Have you obtained an HMO licence? You should also provide a copy of this to your tenants for their information.
* Have you decided on rental value? Make sure you’re pricing your property competitively by looking at similar properties in the same location. LSL can advise you on rental valuations.
* Have you set the deposit amount? Make sure you charge more than one month’s rent, this will give you some protection against damage in case the tenants leave without paying the last month’s rent.
* Have you decided what you are asking tenants to pay for? Traditionally tenants are asked to pay rent, council tax and all utility bills – it’s your choice if you choose this option or include this with rent. Either way, clearly state what must be paid in the tenancy agreement.
* Do you have a rent book, or something similar in order to keep track of payments? This will help in the long run if there are any issues over missed rent payments.
* Is it in good condition? Both the inside, outside and fixtures and fittings should be in good condition; structurally and aesthetically. Make sure you have checked for signs of mildew or rot and that everything is clean and well kept.
* Is the garden in good condition? Prospective tenants may dismiss a property immediately if the garden is poorly kept.
* Are you renting it furnished or unfurnished? Consider how you may review the price if you’re leaving your furniture and make sure the maintenance of your furniture is included in the Tenancy Agreement.
* If renting furnished, does your furniture conform to the legal fire resistant standard? For example, sofas and armchairs must have labels proving that they comply with this standard.
* Does everything work? Tenants will check, so make sure you have tested and fixed any issues with the window and door locks, lighting, heating, water, appliances, phone, television and internet connections. You should also leave copies of all relevant instruction manuals for your tenants.
* Have your electrical appliances undergone a Portable Appliance Test (PAT)? There is no requirement for annual checks (as with gas appliances) but the Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations state that landlords must ensure electrical equipment and systems are safe and maintained in a safe condition during the tenancy.
* Are there enough smoke alarms and do they work?
* Is there a burglar alarm and does it work?
* Have you run the relevant reference checks on your tenants? You can pay for tenant referencing and credit checks with a variety of providers.
* Are you insisting on a guarantor? The guarantor will be responsible for losses if the tenant defaults on their payments or any other obligations.
* Have you drawn up a Tenancy Agreement? This should include clauses for every part of the tenancy from rent amount and tenancy term to responsibility for garden maintenance and replacement of fixtures/fittings. It’s advisable to seek legal advice when putting this together and it must be signed by both you and your tenants.
* Have you performed a full check-in report? Catalogue the condition of every part of the house and ensure your tenant is present for this and signs the document. You may wish to enlist the help of an impartial third party, like an inventory provider, to produce this for you.
* Have you taken photos of the current condition of the property? Photos will compliment the check-in report and are useful if the deposit is disputed at the end of the tenancy. You should make sure photos are dated and signed by your tenants.
* Will you perform a check-out at the end of the tenancy? This will allow you to accurately determine whether any damage has been caused throughout the tenancy or it anything has been removed from the property – it’s also useful as evidence during a deposit dispute. Ensure your tenant is present for this and signs the document, or be able to prove you offered them the opportunity to be present.
* Are you keeping copies of all communication/documentation between you and your tenants? This will be particularly useful where there’s a dispute over the deposit, so you should retain: › Emails or letters between yourselves › Details of rent payments › Invoices for any work carried out › Amendments to the tenancy agreement.
This is for information purposes only and is not an exhaustive list. It is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice or be a legally binding document. We’d always recommend you seek legal or professional advice before entering into any kind of tenancy agreement.
Property news
- What’s the average UK energy bill?The post What’s the average UK energy bill? appeared first on Property news.
- What does the energy price cap increase mean for bills?The post What does the energy price cap increase mean for bills? appeared first on Property news.
- Record-breaking Boxing Day bounce for sellers and home-huntersThe post Record-breaking Boxing Day bounce for sellers and home-hunters appeared first on Property news.
- What’s in store for the 2025 rental market?The post What’s in store for the 2025 rental market? appeared first on Property news.
- Would you relocate for love, just like Gavin did for Stacey?The post Would you relocate for love, just like Gavin did for Stacey? appeared first on Property news.