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Trust us to be your letting agent and you will not be disappointed. At smarthomes we fully appreciate that your property is the most valuable asset you’ll ever have.
We want to make sure it’s looked after as well as possible, by a reliable tenant and effective managing agent. We’ll find the most suitable tenant for your property, ensuring they pass all our referencing checks.
Our experienced and expert team can help you in all aspects of the rental market. From queries on who should do what, advice on who pays for what, questions on government legislation and compliance.
Whatever you need to know about letting your property, we’ll have the answer and the team to support you.
Fee: one-off charge of 75% of the first month’s rent. Please note: all fees are subject to VAT
* Fees apply
Fee: one-off charge of 40% of the first month’s rent plus a monthly charge of 8% of the rental value. Please note: all fees are subject to VAT
Fee: one-off charge of 50% of the first month’s rent plus a monthly charge of 10% of the rental value. Please note: all fees are subject to VAT.
* Fees apply
Just call us today for a free, no-obligation valuation or any advice you may need on selling or letting your property and experience the smarthomes approach.
Referencing is the best way to protect yourself against poor tenants - ensuring that they are who they say they are and giving an insight into their ability to pay the agreed rent and their history of paying rent in the past.
First and foremost, ensuring that the tenant is who they say they are is very important. A tenant giving false details is obviously indicative of potential bad intentions. It is also important to establish their identity in order to ensure that the contract is enforceable.
A good reference should include both employer and landlord references (although these may not be available if you are renting to a social housing tenant, or if the tenant has not previously rented).
The reference should include:
If a prospective tenant fails the credit check, it can be prudent to consider why, and how serious this actually is. For example, if they have a CCJ or were declared bankrupt, they will automatically fail the credit check. If the reason for this was that they were made redundant during the recession, but they have now had a full-time job for two years and are easily able to cover the cost of their rent with their income, and have good references, perhaps it is worth considering allowing them as tenants, but with a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who will pay the rent if the tenant fails to do so. Of course, it is important that the guarantor also passes a reference check.
Whilst it is vital a landlord follows a strict referencing procedure, they may still find they have a tenant who doesn’t pay rent on time - or at all in some rare instances. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as ill health or the loss of a job and it’s vital that a landlord protects their investment. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the cost to evict a tenant can run into thousands of pounds.
A Rent Guarantee & Legal Expenses policy can provide peace of mind. It covers rent arrears, as long as the tenant occupies the property up until vacant possession. In addition, all legal costs associated with removing the tenant from the property are covered.
*Terms & Conditions apply, please ask for further information.
If you let a property equipped with gas appliances, you have three main responsibilities under UK law:
As from the 1st April 2018 any properties rented out in the private rented sector must have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The regulations came into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st April 2018 and will come into force for all existing tenancies on 1st April 2020. It will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches the requirement for a minimum E rating, unless there is an applicable exemption.
We are here to help you every step of the way and have a comprehensive support package in place to deliver this.
We include all marketing expenses within our commission fee, so you know where you stand. Some other agents may charge an additional fee for advertising.
We accompany all viewings on your property. It is advisable to choose a local estate agent who offers longer opening hours, like smarthomes, to maximise viewing potential and minimise the number of viewings you have to do yourself.
As we accompany all viewings, your presence is not required. However, if you would prefer to be present this can be arranged - although tenants often feel more relaxed when the owner is not present.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) measures the energy efficiency of a property using a scale of A-G and is valid for 10 years. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have a valid EPC before their property is let. From April 2018, it is also a legal requirement for all properties to attain a rating of E or above. If they do not, recommended works will need to be carried out and the property reassessed before the property can be let. We can arrange an EPC on your behalf. *Fees apply.
Your Property Management fee will be charged as a percentage of the rental price (plus VAT) and is payable upon the tenant signing the Tenancy Agreement. You will be advised of this at the outset and it will be written into our Agreement with you.
Typically this is five weeks’ rent and is payable upon the signing of the Tenancy Agreement. The deposit for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) should be registered with a tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days and we will take care of this on your behalf if you wish. *Fees apply.
If you decide on a fully managed service, this cost is included in your service. Prices vary depending on the size of your property and we can organise an inventory on your behalf.
You should receive your rent within 3-5 working days of the rental due date each month. The due date is typically, although not always, the date on which the tenant moved in.
We always recommend using a reputable letting agent to let out your property. We have vast experience in dealing with selecting tenants, referencing tenants and drawing up agreements that protect you and your interests.
© Copyright smarthomes 2021.
JHS Ltd T/As smarthomes. Company number 03591917
Registered Address: 316 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3DN.
Smart New Homes Limited. Company number 13088570
Registered Address: Flat 2, Tullets Court, Stratford Road,
Shirley, Solihull, B90 3DN.