Limited period exciting offer for New Landlords

For a limited period only we are offering 2 months free commission to all new landlords who come on board with us.

Even if you have multiple properties we also offer this to you.

We will ensure all new landlords achieve the best possible rental prices for their areas.

Areas in Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire all included in this offer (New Landlords must provide the properties for a minimum of 12 months)

We understand that letting your property, especially for the first time, can be a daunting 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.

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.

A Personal Service

As a family run business with over 30 years experience we are able to offer a personal service, with attention to detail, whilst at the same time maintaining a high standard of competence and professionalism.

Competitive Rates

Our fees are competitive and may be open to negotiation depending on the level of Service required. We are particularly committed to assisting Landlords who want to build up their investment portfolios and can often source suitable rental properties for them at affordable prices but with an excellent return on their investment.

Carefully Selected Tenants

Drawn from a continually updated register, all prospective Tenants are thoroughly reference checked. In some cases we will also require a guarantor.

Full Management

This is our fully inclusive Service, which provides for the marketing of the property and carrying out viewings, leading to the introduction and vetting of a prospective Tenant. This proving satisfactory, we then proceed to prepare the tenancy agreement, and if required an inventory.

During the tenancy we carry out periodic inspection visits. Should these bring to light any maintenance issues, we will (within the confines of our Management Agreement) arrange or recommend any necessary repairs. Please note we will charge for our time in such arrangements.

Collecting and processing of rental payments is also an important part of our Full Management Service. Rental payments will be credited automatically to the Landlord’s nominated bank account.

Deposits are lodged with an approved Deposit Protection Provider within 28 days of the start of the tenancy.

Any new tenancies in Scotland legally have to be Private Residential Tenancies or PRT’S for short.

This type of tenancy does not have an end date but the rents can be reviewed annually

This service is particularly suitable for Landlords who are not residing locally, or would rather not deal with the Tenants directly, preferring all aspects to be handled by an Agent.

Letting Only

Our Letting Only Services includes marketing of the property and carrying out viewings, leading to the introduction and vetting of a prospective Tenant. This proving satisfactory, we then go ahead and prepare the tenancy agreement, and if required an inventory.

Following this, the first month’s rent and usually a tenancy deposit is collected and the rent is credited to the Landlord less our agreed fee.

The landlord should then lodge the deposit with their chosen approved Deposit Protection Scheme within 28 days.

Managing the tenancy, including the maintenance and rent collection, will then be the responsibility of the Landlord.

Our Fees

We offer a competitive fee structure and can offer reductions on our standard charges for multiple property portfolios. Please telephone or email us to discuss your requirements.

Insurance

We have a block policy which your property can be added to at any time for buildings and contents at competitive rates.This type of policy covers the client for most eventualities that can arise in a let property whereas other policies may not . For further details or a quote please contact us.

Guide for Landlords

Before a property can be let, there are several matters which the owner will need to deal with to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly, and also that he/she complies with the law. We provide summarised information below. If you require further advice or assistance with any matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

There are several certificates now required before you can rent your property out but we can assist you with obtaining all of these.Also a private landlord must register with the local authority but we can also do this on your behalf if necessary.

Preparing the Property

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 temporary 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.

General Condition

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 should be of good quality and hard wearing with preferably dark coloured carpets or laminate flooring recommended.

Personal items, 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.

Gardens

Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free, with any lawns 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. Where we will be managing we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required.

Other Considerations

Mortgage

It is recommended that you inform your bank and building society, if applicable, when a tenancy agreement is in place.

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. There will be a small processing fee made for every bill paid on the owner's behalf.

Council tax and utility accounts

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. Tenants may have to set up their own utility accounts when they move in depending on the rules of individual energy suppliers, 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.

Health and Safety, and other Legal Requirements

The following requirements are the responsibility of the owner (Landlord). Where we are managing the property they are also our responsibility. Therefore where we are managing we will ensure compliance, any costs of which will be the responsibility of the landlord.

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.

Electrical

Landlords are encouraged to have their electrics checked regularly ,both to ensure they comply with current regulations and to ensure the safety of their tenants and their properties.

Landlords are now required to provide an electrical safety certificate and pat test otherwise known as an E I C R certificate at the beginning of a tenancy and every 5 years thereafter for each property they let out.This must be carried out by a suitably qualified electrician

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 Alarms

All rented properties now require the correct amount of smoke alarms and a heat detector for their individual size of property which should be installed by a suitably qualified electrician.

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 and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

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 Protection

All deposits taken by landlords and letting agents under either Short Assured Tenancies or Private Residential Tenancies 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.

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005

The DDA 2005 addresses the limitations of current legislation by extending disabled people’s rights in respect of premises that are let or to be let, and commonhold premises. Landlords and managers of let premises and premises that are to let will be required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Since 1st January 2009 landlords in Scotland are required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate for their property.. 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.

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