LandlordsINFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS

If you are considering letting your property, call 01827 310410 for a free initial discussion on how to maximise the return on your property investment.
We offer:

› free appraisal of your property for renting purposes
› reference checks
› no obligation advice
› full professional management service
› competitive fees
› a six month Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement
› regular property inspections
› free advertising
› BACS or cheque payments
› minor maintenance – free of charge

NEWS: Click here for information on electrical appliance safety

 

FAQ'sFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I start?
Signing the agreement
What are my responsibilities?
Do I need an inventory?
Who handles maintenance and repairs?
Must I pay tax on rental income?


How do I start?
Begin by contacting us at Rutherfords Lettings and we will provide a free appraisal of your property along with advice on such matters as how you could improve the property's rental potential and whether to furnish or part furnish it. We can also help you find a suitable tenant, and if you wish, we can provide full property management services including collection of rents and property visits.

Signing the agreement
If we take on the management of your property, we will provide a tenancy agreement, the cost of which is charged to the tenant. We also charge an initial fee of £195 plus VAT and take a 10% commission from each monthly rental payment.

Alternatively, under our Property Owner Service, we will provide reference checks on all prospective tenants and a six month Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement at a cost to you of £250 plus VAT.

We can also take on the handling of your existing tenancy. Call us for details.

What are my responsibilities?
If you have a mortgage or a loan on the property, you should inform your lender in advance of the proposed letting. This will require their consent. You may require the consent of the freeholder in cases where your property is leasehold. You should also let your insurance company know, and you will need to ensure that your policy covers third party/public liability. Tenants usually pay council tax due during a tenancy period, but it is worth checking this out as cases can differ.

Do I need an inventory?
Yes. This is an important element of the lettings process. We can prepare one on your behalf. Landlords operating without inventories can find themselves in serious difficulties, so this matter should not be overlooked.

Who handles maintenance and repairs?
The landlord is usually responsible for maintaining and or repairing the property. Similarly, the landlord normally pays the ground rent or any service charges on the let property.

Must I pay tax on rental income?
This depends on each landlord’s individual finances and circumstances and if you are in doubt, you can seek guidance from our sister organisation Rutherfords Solicitors who have extensive experience in lettings matters

Landlords urged to test for safety
Landlords are being urged to have electrical appliances tested for safety, as the latest Health and Safety Executive statistics show that around 1000 electrical accidents are reported annually with around 30 people actually dying of their injuries.

The warning comes from Tamworth-based Rutherfords Lettings, who point out that about 25% of all reported electrical accidents involve portable electrical appliances. A portable appliance includes a television, kettle, hair dryer, electric blanket if it is connected to the mains electricity. Even non-fatal shock can cause severe and permanent injury.

Landlords have a responsibility under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 to ensure that all supplied electrical appliances are safe. The regulations provide for the defence of `due diligence` - in other words the landlord must show that he or she has taken all reasonable measures to ensure compliance and safety. Unlike the gas safety regulations, there is no mandatory checking period and no requirement for a safety certificate to be issued.

Rutherfords Lettings Manager Pam Hemming said, "We strongly recommend that all landlords, whether or not they let property in the course of a business, ensure that electrical appliances are checked for safety, and arrange periodic checks by a qualified electrician. Arrange a reputable Portable Appliance Testing (`PAT`) service to test portable appliances in the property and keep copies of the reports and certification supplied. A regular system of checks should ensure that landlords can satisfy the `due diligence` test imposed by the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.

"Breach of the regulations is a criminal offence and can be enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, if a tenant suffers harm due to a defective appliance such as a faulty kettle, and the landlord cannot show that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure safety, a tenant may bring an action in the county court for damages.

"This is a distressing, costly and time consuming business for all concerned, underlining the need to take preventative measures early on through regular and professional testing," she said.

For more information, or to arrange a PAT test, call Rutherfords Lettings on 01827 310410.

.

LegalLEGAL SERVICES

Rs | Rutherfords Solicitors

Whatever your requirement, we will provide quality legal services via a team of specialist staff.

"This practice has always been committed to each and every client and will continue to be so. Our watchwords are quality, service and value and these elements are at the very heart of our practice."
Peter Wiseman, Senior Partner.
 
Rutherfords Solicitors,
Post: 6/9 Lady Bank, Tamworth,
Staffordshire, B79 7NB
Tel: 01827 311411
Fax: 01827 311666
DX: 12654 Tamworth
Click here to email us
www.rutherfordssolicitors.co.uk

 

Links USEFUL LINKS

Government
Local Government Association
Home Office
Tamworth Borough Council
Staffordshire County Council
Directgov
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Tax
Inland Revenue
Taxation Solutions

Services and Associations
Rutherfords Solicitors
Court Service
Landlord Forum
Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
National Federation of Residential Landlords (NFRL)
National HMO Network

Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of external sites.

 

ContactCONTACT US

Call or email Pam Hemming today and find out how you can turn your property into an income.
Tel: 01827 310410