Letting Guide

The letting process involves several key steps.  This quick checklist is just as helpful if you are an experienced landlord as it is if you're doing it for the first time.

Market appraisal

Our experienced team will be able to give you an up to date rental evaluation of the property. The rental figure they give you is based on the factors of recent demand, area and property condition. Other considerations are transport links, shops and schools.

We will be pleased to answer your queries about our service, general market conditions, current demand and legislation. For example, should you let your property furnished or not? Or you may need to know about any consent you will need before letting the property.

The first impression

The Sarah Mains letting machine is ready to go to work! We will use high quality digital photography and our considerable marketing resources to find the right tenant for your property.

The first place most people look these days for properties to rent is on the internet. So, in addition to featuring your property on sarahmains.com, we will broadcast it to all of the leading property portals. We will back that up with local press advertising.

On a more personal but highly effective level, we will telephone our extensive database of applicants to encourage instant interest.

And when potential tenants call in to our welcoming, modern offices; our friendly, proactive staff will inform fully about the property prior to taking them on a viewing.

Viewings

We will accompany all suitable applicants around your property, describing its benefits and answering any of their queries about location, schools, shops and transport links. Please though, do make sure the property is tidy and in good order so we can show it at its best.  We always endeavour to give you constructive feedback until we have successfully let your property.

Securing a tenant

Finding the right tenant is so important. Our extensive database comprises a wide spectrum of individuals, from professionals to students, all looking for a place to rent.

We make checks on every prospective tenant, contacting employers and current or previous landlords. We insist that every applicant over 18 provides references.

EPC’s

Since 1st October 2008, all properties for let require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by law in England and Wales.

Landlords will only require an Energy Performance Certificate for properties marketed for rent from 1st October 2008. Properties with tenants from before that date will not require an EPC until the property is next rented. The EPC is only required for self-contained properties and is valid for 10 years. Click here for more information Government EPC Information.

Safety checks

You, the landlord, are responsible for your tenant’s safety. There are a number of checks and certificates required to be in place before you can let your property.

Soft furnishings must comply with Fire Safety Regulations and you must have a gas safety certificate for any gas appliances. This should be undertaken annually by a Corgi registered plumber.

All electrical goods must be safe to use and supplied with operating instructions.

If you have any queries about your responsibilities, we’re here to help and advise you all the way.

Preparing the property

We strongly recommend that your property be given a professional clean before you rent it. This sets a standard for the tenant to adhere to when they leave at the end of the tenancy.

A professional clean entails cleaning all curtains, upholstery, carpets, cupboards inside and out, and kitchen appliances. Walls should be in good order and outstanding repairs carried out. If there’s a garden, it should be left tidy and presentable

We’ll do everything we can to make sure the property is kept to this standard during the tenancy.

The inventory

Prior to a tenant moving into your property, an inventory should be carried out. This isn’t just to catalogue the contents, it is a good assessment of your property’s condition before you let. 

The preparation of an inventory is a standard feature of our managed service.  The inventory sets out all items in the property and whether they are in good condition or need to be replaced.  This is used when it is time to return the tenant’s deposit to clearly assess any damage.

The contract and completion of relevant documents

With paperwork signed, deposit and first rent payment received in clear funds, we will hand the keys to the new tenant.

He or she will sign a standing order which is forwarded to their bank for future rent collection.

It is now a legal requirement that all damage deposits are secured by a Deposit Scheme, which provides peace of mind to both tenant and landlord.  If we manage your property, we deal with this for you and will attempt to resolve any disputes that may arise at the end of a tenancy.

Our management service

Sarah Mains Residential offers two types of residential letting service. The first involves us finding and securing a tenant for you.

Alternatively, we can manage the whole letting process for you, from marketing to rent collection and dealing with repairs.

We can discuss which one’s best for you when you come for your first appointment.