LANDLORDS

Letting your property?

Charles Sinclair have let and managed hundreds of properties south of the river. Located in a prominent High Street position adjacent to Clapham North Tube Station. Letting your home can be simplified by allowing us to take care of everything. We undertake to find suitable tenants, collect rent and deposits, forward rental payments, check inventories, prepare tenancy agreements and manage the complete day to day running of your home.

• No upfront fees payable

• Established since 1969

• Independent business committed to: Good practice, efficiency,
  reliability and courteous service  

• Our clientele comprises managerial and professional people

• Involvement in the local community

• Advertising your property in the local and national press

• Instant marketing through our websites and other extensive resources

• Preparation of full monthly statements

• Payment of rents to you within the UK or abroad

• Arranging all necessary maintenance of your property

• Rent Guarantee Scheme

• Building and contents insurance policies available.

Property Valuation

Our valuation service is free of charge and is carried out by one of the our seasoned staff.
Your Letting agent will recommend the appropriate rent for your property, depending on its location, size, quality and a knowledge of the local rental market.

To request a valuation of your property please either call, email or visit our office.

Viewings

First impression counts, make your property tempting to prospective tenants so that the quality of the furnishings and appliances reflect the tenants you want to attract.

We will accompany prospective tenants around the property during our business hours or at times that are convenient to you.

We will be responsible for updating you on viewings, feedback and interest expressed from prospective tenants.

Services

Full Management Fee
Includes all parts of the services listed below
Let Only:
Include parts 1 to 7 of the services as listed below, part 7 is optional (no extra charges)

Services

1. Advising as to the likely rental income
2. Advertising and generally marketing the Property

3. Interviewing prospective tenants and taking up full references including bank reference and employer or previous landlord character reference. Where necessary, additional security would be requested by means of a guarantor.  In the case of a company, a full bank reference would be taken

4. Preparing the Tenancy Agreement and corresponding notice necessary for the Landlord to gain protection of the relevant Rent and Housing Acts, renewing the Agreement where necessary at the end of the Term

5. Carrying out a full property inspection and inventory check in and at the end of each tenancy and dealing with matters relating to unfair wear and tear before releasing the tenant's deposit.

6. Taking and protecting a deposit from the tenant to be held by the Agent as stakeholders until the end of the tenancy when the Property and contents have been checked for unfair wear and tear.

7. Collecting the rent monthly and paying it over to the Landlord monthly (normally within 30 days of collection) less any fees or expenses due or incurred for the period.
8. Arranging with the service companies (such as the providers of electricity, gas, and water and Council services) for meter readings to be taken and advising them of the transfer of service contracts to the tenant(s) at the beginning of each tenancy.
9. Carrying out regular inspections of the property. Note that responsibility for the management of empty property is not normally included, and will only be carried out by special arrangement.
10. Co-cordinating repair or maintenance including arranging for tradesmen to attend the property and obtaining estimates where necessary, supervising works and settling accounts from rents received.
11. Making payments on behalf of the Landlord, from rents received, for water rates, insurance premiums, council tax, electricity, gas, service charges and other necessary expenditure (If applicable)
12. Ensure current health and safety guidelines are met e.g provision of gas and electrical safety certificates.

Marketing

Upon signing an Agency Agreement we will be ready to start marketing your property immediately to achieve the best rental, in a time scale to suit your requirements. Property particulars will be prepared and circulated to our database of prospective tenants, relocation agents and our website. Also we advertise using:

Window displays - prominent High Street position adjacent to the Clapham North Tube station (5^th shop from the Tube) generates high level of traffic. Quality prepared design, wording and colour photographs are ideal presentation of your property for prospective tenants

Boards - we find boards to be a very effective way of generating high quality enquiries. They complement the marketing effort and attract interest from a wider group than those specifically looking to move in the area.

Web site - All Charles Sinclair properties are automatically loaded onto our website, giving you the widest possible access to potential tenants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Easily navigated and highly informative, it offers quick access to a wide range of useful information and helpful services:

Safety Regulations

The letting of property is now closely regulated with respect to consumer safety.  The law makes particular demands regarding the safety, servicing and inspection of the gas and electric appliances and installations within a property, and with respect to the type of any furniture and soft furnishings that are also provided.  The following regulations apply:

• Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

The Landlord confirms that he/she is aware of these obligations and that the Agent has provided sufficient information to assist with compliance. It is agreed that the Landlord shall ensure that the Property is made available for letting in a safe condition and in compliance with the above regulations.

The Agent shall ensure that all electrical equipment is checked at the beginning of the tenancy and every year thereafter at the cost of the landlord.

The Landlord agrees to indemnify the Agent against any expenses or penalties that may be suffered as a result of non-compliance of the Property with fire and appliance safety standards.

Insurance

The Landlord shall be responsible for the Property being adequately insured and for ensuring that the insurance policy covers the provision that the Property is being let.

EPC - (Energy performance Certificate)

These certificates are for all buildings and will be required whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building.

The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient. EPC's are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

An EPC certificate will remain valid for 10 years. For more information please visit www.campaigns.direct.gov.uk/epc

Tax

Both UK and Non UK based Landlords must declare income on their tax returns. If a landlord does not receive an annual tax return then he or she has a legal responsibility to notify the inland revenue if their rental income gives rise to a liability to tax.

If you are unsure about your tax liabilities than you can goto the inland revenue website on www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/ to get more information and also seek advice from a tax advisor or accountant.

Through careful planning and assistance you should be able to reduce some or even all your tax liability. Here is a general guideline on expenses than can be offset against letting income.

• Lettings agents fees
• Accountant's Fees
• Usual maintenance of the property including repairs.
• Ground rents, insurance’s, service charges and inventory costs.
• 10% wear and tear allowance if the property is let furnished.
• Certain expenditure incurred before the property is first let.

If you are classed as a non UK resident during the term of your tenancy you should check the tax implication of letting with your tax advisor or accountant under the Taxes and Management Act of 1970.

Rental Guarantee Scheme

Despite every care taken with the letting and management of a property, the unexpected can happen. A tenant may be unable to pay the rent due to redundancy, accident, sickness, divorce, or even death. Not only might you suffer a shortfall in rental income but also legal costs are inevitably involved when a tenancy agreement is breached. Disputes can arise between landlords and tenants, for example, bringing action for unauthorised alterations to a property or unauthorised use of the property. Perhaps a tenant might withhold rent due to alleged deficiencies connected with the premises. We can advise you and get you in contact with legal experts that matters can be resolved quickly; if necessary, the property can be swiftly re-let and in the meantime, you will have had the benefit of legal advice, legal action and rental guarantee.

Letting agreed

Once suitable tenants have been found and terms agreed, we will apply for references on your behalf, and commence the preparation of relevant documentation.

Tenancy Agreed

A tenancy agreement will be prepared according to latest legislation, which is signed by both parties.

Landlords' Checklist

Please make sure that all of these points have been met for trouble-free move in:

Consent- make sure you have consent from freeholder, managing agent, and lender or mortgage provider.

Insurance - does insurance cover buildings, contents and any public liability you may need in case of a claim by the tenant.

Agency Agreement - agree with your lettings agent the terms on which the tenancy is based.

References - as your agent we will take tenants full references including bank reference and employer or previous landlord character reference.

 

Tenancy Agreement - your agent prepares the tenancy agreement, including notice period.

 

Inventory and Schedule of Condition - must be agreed before the tenant moves in and signed by both parties.

 

Furnishing Regulations - furnishings must meet the latest regulations.

 

Property File - it is useful to have a file with all the instructions and guarantees for any appliances left in the property.

 

Keys - provide a set of keys for each tenant, and keep a set for you and one for the agent.

 

Money - make sure you get the first month's rent and a deposit when the tenancy starts.

Gas Safety Check - this is the law. Organise a Gas Safety Inspection and ensure that a valid record is issued to the tenant.

 

Electrical Check - make sure you have done electrical safety check for appliances and all wiring is safe

Cleaning - organise professional cleaning of the property prior to tenants moving in. Keep the receipts.

Gardening - make sure it is clear who organise gardening, how frequently it will be done, and who pays for it. It is handy to leave some gardening equipment for the tenants in the property.

Smoke Alarms - make sure smoke alarms work and comply with legislation.

Council Tax and Utilities - arrange for the transfer of council tax and utilities, including the phone bill, into the name of the tenants. Pay any outstanding amounts.

Inventory

Should it be necessary, the Agent will prepare an inventory for the Property and a charge will be made for Let Only Contracts. A standard inventory should include all removable items in the Property (except those of negligible value) together with carpets, curtains, mirrors, sanitary ware and other articles, which, in the opinion of the Agent, need regular checking.  Landlords should not leave any articles of exceptional value in the Property without prior arrangement with the Agent.

Rent and Deposit

Prior to the commencement of the tenancy, Charles Sinclair will collect the first period rent and deposit from the tenant on your behalf.

Once cleared funds are received together with all signed and approved documentation, the tenancy can proceed. On the day the tenancy commences, we will arrange for your tenants to be checked into the property by our staff, and for the keys to be handed over accordingly.

If you are a landlord in England and Wales who lets residential property on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and if you take a deposit from your tenant at the beginning of the tenancy, you are required under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 to protect the deposit against misuse. The Act also places an obligation on the landlord to make certain information about the protection of the deposit available to the tenant. Landlords can apply to become members of the Scheme. Membership of the Scheme does not depend on you being a member of any trade association or body. If you wish your agent can register the deposit on your behalf and Deposit Protection Certificate send it to you.

Your property is now let. Congratulations!