Are you a potential Landlord? Properties become available for rent for a number of reasons, some of the more common ones being: Homeowners who are abroad for a year and want their property to produce an income in their absence. The house seller who cannot find a purchaser. Property owners who have bought a second home and want to keep their original property as an investment. Whatever the reason, we can provide a professional and flexible service. If you own a property which is likely to be vacant for more than a six month period, the opportunity is open to let your home under an assured shorthold agreement. Our services to you…

Letting Only

This service is normally provided for experienced Landlords and corporate clients who have an understanding of Tenancy Law. This service should not be chosen if you are unable to invest time in issues that may arise during a tenancy.

    The preferred choice for most Landlords – Stephen James takes the strain and you can get on with life. Just as it should be…

Services include:

    Initial market valuation on your property. 

    Full marketing details provided. 

    Accompanied viewings. 

    Full referencing including credit report. 

    Use of our offices for meetings and signing of documents. 

    Receipt of initial payment and transfer to Landlord. 

    Preparation and the service of all legal documentation during the tenancy. 

    Rent collection and payments to Landlords via transfer. 

    Property inspections during the tenancy. 
    
    Overseeing all works during the tenancy. 

    Arranging free estimates for work from qualified contractors. 

    Arranging tenancy renewals and providing information on insurances where necessary.
 
    Free regsitration of your Tenents Security Deopsit with The Deposit Protection Service (DPS). 

    Check out of tenants and collection of keys. 
 
    Full Management Overseas

    Help and assistance in registering for the Landlords exemption scheme. 
    
    Payment to Inland Revenue on the Landlords behalf. 

    All correspondence faxed/emailed to your chosen residency. 
    
    References

Once a suitable tenant has been found and the monthly rental negotiated to suit both parties, we will complete a reference report on a prospective tenant and subsequently the Landlord will be provided with details of our searches. All applicants are expected to provide at least three of the following:

    Employment reference (previous employer if appropriate). 

    Landlord reference (if applicable). 

    Financial reference (a credit search is completed on each applicant). 

    Students would be asked to provide details of suitable guarantors (usually parents or guardians)

Once we have finalised all details of the tenancy we will arrange for both parties to sign the agreement and collect the necessary monies (one month’s rent in advance and the equivalent of five weeks rent as a security deposit), prior to the release of keys. Where Stephen James are instructed to manage a property we will require an extra set of keys to be held in our office.

Full Management Key areas

Inspections

The initial inspection will be completed quarterly in order to check for any obvious signs of misuse or damage to the property, and to make sure that the tenant is not experiencing any problems. Further regular inspections will be carried out if necessary. Our Landlords are advised in writing once an inspection has been completed.

Rent Collection

We will collect the rent from the tenant each month and a statement of account will be forwarded to the Landlord. We can either send monies direct to the Landlord’s forwarding address or by electronic transfer to the appropriate bank account.

Maintenance

Any damage, defect or want of repair affecting the property or any of its contents will be reported to Stephen James. We will appoint contractors in the event of necessary repairs or maintenance arising, unless a Landlord instructs otherwise prior to the commencement of the tenancy. Where the cost of these works amounts to more than £150.00 we will inform a Landlord before arranging for the works to commence. In the event of an emergency, where we are unable to contact a Landlord or an authority of the Landlord, we will arrange for necessary works to be carried out in order to protect the Landlord’s interests.

Renewal Tenancy Agreement & Formal Notices

We will always advise you when the tenancy is due for renewal and draw up new agreements if requested at a cost of £150.00 + VAT at the prevailing rate. Should you wish to regain possession of the property or if any other legal notice is required to be served, we will do this on your behalf.

Deposit

We will collect the tenant’s deposit usually equivalent to five weeks’ rent, which will be held in a client account and utilised in the event of dilapidations at the end of the tenancy and as security against a tenant breaching the agreement.

Check – Out

Where the Landlord does not require a professional check-out service, we will arrange for the collection of the keys, the noting of meter readings and obtain a tenants forwarding address at a final inspection at the end of a tenancy.

Protecting Your Investment

Stephen James have teamed up with letting warranty specialist who can provide comprehensive Rent & Legal Expenses cover to protect our Landlords against those unforeseen circumstances. Terms and conditions apply.