Energy Performance Certificates

When buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants. 

The EPC and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by a landlord to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than:

• When any written information about the building is provided  in response to a request for information received from the prospective tenant; or
• When a viewing is conducted; or
• If neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.

An Energy Performance Certificate does not have to be made available if:

• The landlord believes that the prospective tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property; or
• The landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination).

Homes will require an EPC on rent from 1 October 2008.

An EPC for rented property is valid for 10 years.

The only person who is able to produce an Energy Performance Certificate is an accredited energy assessor. More information can be found on

http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/homes/energyperformancecertificates/obtaincertificate/ 

Landlords

If you have to move in the near future, for whatever reason, think carefully before selling your home. Letting is a very attractive option:

• It helps pay the mortgage
• It keeps you on the home ownership ladder
• New laws make it much easier to let
• In many cases your income will not be taxed

Rent

We will be pleased to call to advise you on the market rent for your property. Rents are payable by the tenant monthly to our client account. You will be paid direct from this account and we will prepare, at regular intervals, an income and expenditure account which you can send to the Inland Revenue.

Deposit

We collect a deposit from the tenant to safeguard against damage. At the end of the tenancy we will inspect the property and the costs of any work attributed to the tenant will be deducted from the deposit.

Tenant

We will find a suitable tenant for your property and take up references and credit checks.

Agreement

We will prepare a legal agreement under current legislation. In general this will be for a period of not less than 6 months which can then either be renewed  or changed to a month to month basis. This gives you the flexibility to re-occupy the house after giving the tenant two month's notice to quit. Similarly the tenant may terminate after the initial period by giving at least one month's notice.

Rates and Services

The payment of water rates, council tax, gas, electricity and telephone bills are generally the responsibility of the tenants.

Repairs

You are responsible for all repairs to the property with the exception of window glass or other breakages caused by the tenants. Small repairs can be carried out by our contractors, or ones nominated by you, and their charges deducted from your account. We will always ask for instructions before commencing any large scale repairs.

Building Society Mortgages

We can undertake all negotiations with your Building Society in order to obtain their permission to let the property. Some lenders might charge higher interest rates for let properties and raise a service charge.

Tax

From the total rent received in a tax year you can normally deduct, for tax purposes, the following:

• Our fees
• Fair wear and tear & repair costs.
• 10% of rent for depreciation, if furnished or part furnished.
• Interest paid to the Building Society or Mortgage Company.
• Insurance premiums.
• You then pay tax on the remainder of the rent.
• If you would like a more comprehensive tax service we can arrange this for you.

Insurance

We provide information and help on rent and legal protection insurance, house building insurance and home contents insurance, all of which are important considerations when letting your home.

Fees

Our fees for managing the property are some of the most competitive to be found. For these fees we will:

• Find you a suitable tenant
• Take up references and credit check
• Draw up a tenancy agreement
• Take a Statement of Condition (or inventory)
• Collect the rent and account to you monthly
• Make regular inspections of the property and advise you all is in order
• Advise on any repairs that are necessary
• Provide information and help on insurance and tax matters.

We also provide a tenant finding only service where full management is not required. Full details of fees and services are provided in our Terms of Business.