Management and Letting Services

Professional Photography

Once instructed to market your property we'll then commission professional photographs and prepare property details for marketing for landlord approval.

Comprehensive marketing

We actively market your property on our website, through the online property portals and in our window displays, as well as through email alerts, on social media channels and with calls to our registered applicants looking to rent in your area. Our contacts are essential to us, long term relationships with many of our clients allows us a wealth of rental history to reference.

Sourcing tenant(s)

Finding you the right tenant is really important to us. Continuous occupation of your property with the right tenant at the right price is vital for a stable investment. Our results speak for themselves with average tenancies from 2012 to 2015 at 18 months demonstrating both tenants and landlords are satisfied with our service.

Referencing tenants

Once you have accepted the rental offer your prospective new tenant(s) must provide a valid passport, visa or work permit; this will be checked, copied and verified to comply with "Right to Rent" legislation. Professional third party reference checks will then be arranged through market leader Homelet's online system. The referencing process covers contracts of employment, contract length and salary, previous landlord references, credit checks and CCJ checks.

The tenancy agreement

Next a legally binding agreement is drawn up for signature by the tenants outlining the terms of the occupancy including agreed rent and any additional charges or special terms. The length of the agreement is always discussed and agreed with Landlords.

Gas safety inspections

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations gas appliances, installations and pipework must be checked by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Gas Safety Certificates (GSC) are provided to reassure Tenant(s) gas fittings and appliances are safe to use. The GSCs are to be renewed at 12 month intervals. Atkinson Mcleod can arrange for gas safety checks for a charge of £120 inc VAT if you do not have your own contractor.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

It is a legal requirement to provide prospective applicants for a tenancy of your property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) produced by an approved Domestic Energy Inspector. We can instruct an inspector on your behalf to provide an EPC and this is valid for 10 years. We will charge £114 inc VAT for this service which includes the fee for the Domestic Energy Inspector. The EPC needs to be available before we market your property.

Arranging the check-in

Prior to new tenants moving in, our lettings consultant will visit the property to check everything is in working order, smoke alarms installed and the home is cleaned between the tenancies.

Inventory

When we manage your property an inventory is conducted (upon landlord request) for a fee which is dependent on the property size to give the agency, landlord and tenants a detailed account of how the property looked before the tenancy started. For landlords on let only or rent collection services we can, upon request, instruct an inventory clerk on your behalf.

Move in

Prior to new tenants moving in, our letting consultant will visit the property to check smoke alarms are installed and the home is cleaned between the tenancies. On the move in day the keys - available for tenants from the local branch office - are then signed for.

Collect and remit initial month's rent received

Moving in payments are collected before the tenancy begins and this includes the first month's rent and damage deposit.

Managing the check-out process

An inventory check-out can also be organised at the end of the term, reporting back to the landlord on the contents and condition of properties at the time when the return of deposits are discussed. We are proud to say 95% of tenancy deposits are not disputed. This service is available to all landlords letting with us subject to our terms and conditions.

Deposit protection

We will typically collect a 5 week deposit from the tenant at the commencement of the tenancy and it is mandatory for all tenants' deposits to be held in one of the government approved deposit schemes. This ensures you as a landlord meet your obligations under current legislation to protect the deposit for the life of the fixed term tenancy. Atkinson Mcleod as members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme will ensure the deposit held is registered on your behalf for a fee of £72 inc VAT unless you instruct us otherwise.

Collection of rent for duration of tenancy

Tenants will be required to set up a standing order for their monthly rent in line with their Tenancy Agreement.

Rent arrears, action and advice

If for any reason rent is still outstanding by the due date we will pursue rent arrears on your behalf with your tenants who occupy properties on our Rent Collection or Fully Managed service. Furthermore tenants are required to pay interest on any payment of Rent not made. This is clearly set out in their Tenancy Agreement with interest payable from the date on which the Rent was due until the date on which the Rent is actually paid.

Monthly Statements

A statement will be emailed each month showing income and expenditure on your account.

Collection and payment of tax (if overseas and required)

As a Landlord you are liable for tax on rental income and you must inform the Inland Revenue when letting your property. You must keep all invoices for six years for tax purposes. Our Terms and Conditions (downloadable below) set out clearly all information pertinent to taxation.

Dedicated Relationship Manager

Landlords will have a dedicated Relationship Manager who oversees the management of the property, dealing with any complex issues that may arise as well as sorting out both general and emergency repairs. During the course of the tenancy we organise inspections every four months and prepare comprehensive reports for landlords to review.

Annual Tax Report

As part of our management service, if required, within three months of a tax year ending we will send you a summary of income and expenditure associated with the letting of your property to assist with your self-assessment (a charge is made for this report of £24 inc VAT). This summary is not intended as tax advice.

Management inspection and report

Our Inspections team organise inspections every four months throughout the duration of the tenancy preparing comprehensive reports for landlords to review.

Arranging repairs and maintenance

For Landlords on our fully managed service, when you sign the Lettings terms it gives us authority to organise and where necessary supervise minor repairs and routine works up to a value of £200 inc VAT. If repairs exceed £200 we will - except in an emergency - always contact you first to obtain your written authority to incur that expense.

Key-holding service

For properties on our Fully Managed Service keys will be stored securely, in accordance with ARLA guidelines, with your designated Relationship manager so we can give access to your contractors for maintenance and repairs.

Utilities and Council Tax

Where the property is managed by us we will notify the local authority when the tenant occupies your property. You will need to pay any charges up to and including the date upon which the tenant occupies the Premises and for any void period between tenancies.

Arranging payment of outgoings

We can, if instructed, discharge other liabilities from rental income providing we are holding sufficient funds e.g. pay your ground rent and service charges when you have a leasehold interest in the property.<

Tenancy Deposit and advice

At the end of the tenancy covered by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, if there is no dispute we will keep any amounts agreed as deductions where expenditure has been incurred on your behalf, or repay the whole or the balance of the Deposit according to the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement.