Valuing your property
Contact us and make an appointment for a free valuation with an experienced staff member who will visit the property and advise you on local market conditions and provide an estimated rental income. Alternatively, you can request a valuation by filling in our simple online form. As soon as we receive the form, one of our experienced members of staff will contact you to arrange an appointment.
If you have obtained several valuations on your property, it is advisable to ask the agents for details of other properties they have recently let, in order to substantiate the realism of the rental figure given. Be aware of being given unrealistic figures in order to obtain your marketing instructions.
Marketing your property
We will take full particulars including photographs and market your property using various means including the local press, internet property portals as well as erecting a ‘To Let’ board. All our prospective tenants will be alerted to your property via telephone calls, text messages and email alerts to ensure maximum exposure and enable us to achieve the best price in the shortest time.
Viewings
Our policy is to have a member of staff accompany all viewings as they will be able to answer questions and offer advice. A set of door keys and/or contact details for the current occupier/s is essential, as access to your property at short notice is important in order for us to arrange viewings for prospective tenants as soon as they contact us.
Property preparation
The preparation you put into your property to make it ready for rental can make all the difference to how long the property is on the market, as the condition of a property is one of the main factors potential tenants will be considering. A well-presented property will rent more easily and it is best to ensure it is put on the market in a good decorative state.
If you currently have tenants in the property, it is not possible for you to ensure they keep the place tidy for viewings, so our letting negotiators will explain this to prospective tenants before they carry out the viewing.
We have found that developing and maintaining a good relationship with tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As property managers, creating this relationship is our job. It is important the tenants should feel comfortable in their new 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 help 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 there will be wear and tear on the property and any items provided.
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 professional 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 tenant’s responsibility to leave the property in a similar state. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at their expense.
Information for the tenant
It is helpful if you would leave us useful information for the tenant, for example the location of meters (especially water meters and stop cock), operating instructions for the central heating and hot water, washing machine, alarm system, and the day refuse is collected.
Keys
You should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Where we are managing the property, we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required.
Inventory
In most instances an inventory will be prepared prior to the commencement of a tenancy, detailing both the contents of the property and importantly, a schedule of its condition.
Deposits
Azure will take a security deposit equivalent to a minimum of one month's rent from your tenant before commencement of the tenancy. It will be held by us as stakeholders in a secure client trust account throughout the tenancy term. The deposit is held to cover damage, breakages and any other liabilities under the terms of the tenancy agreement.
Since 6th April 2007, legislation provides for all tenant’s deposits taken against possible damage to a property, to be covered by a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. Azure Property Solutions subscribes to Deposit protection service (DPS) , which means that any unresolved issue over the allocation of a deposit can be referred to the scheme for independent third party adjudication, thus providing a resolution fair to the landlord and tenant.
Further information is available at www.arla.co.uk or Deposit protection service www.depositprotection.com
Tenancy agreement
A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding contract, setting out the contractual responsibilities between you and your tenant. All persons over the age of 18 must be named on the Tenancy Agreement, up to a maximum of 4 tenants. The agreement must be signed by all the parties prior to the commencement of the tenancy. Once everyone is happy to proceed, the contract may be dated by hand and put into force.
Rent
Prior to the commencement of the tenancy, we will take an advance rental payment from the tenant on your behalf. Rent will be collected on the date of the month that the tenancy commenced unless, otherwise mutually agreed. charging calendar monthly in advance. We account to you monthly as soon as or just after we have received cleared funds.
Utilities and regular outgoings
We recommend that you arrange for your ongoing regular outgoings such as 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.
Azure will need details of your utility suppliers to enable us to arrange the transfer of council tax and utility accounts to the tenant. Closing meter readings will be taken to allow your gas and electricity accounts to be finalised. However, British Telecom will require instructions directly from both the landlord and the tenant.
Moving in day
Azure will meet your tenant at the property and agree the inventory and schedule of condition. We will confirm utility meter readings where possible and let the tenant have our moving in pack comprising of advice notes and reminders concerning health and safety, keeping in touch and looking after the property.
