Mortgage

If your property is mortgaged, you should obtain your mortgagee's written consent to the letting.  They may require additional clauses in the tenancy agreement of which you must inform us.

Leaseholds

If you are a leaseholder, you should check the terms of your lease, and obtain any necessary written consent before letting

Insurance

You should ensure that your buildings and contents policies are suitable for lettings.  Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your policies.

Bills and regular outgolngs

We recommend that you arrange for regular outgoings, e.g. service charges, maintenance contracts etc., to be paid by standing order or direct debit.  However, where we are managing the property, by prior written agreement we may make payment of certain bills on your behalf, provided such bills are received in your name at our office, and that sufficient funds are held to your credit.

Council tax and utility accounts

We will arrange for the transfer of Council Tax and utility accounts to the Tenant.  Meter readings will be taken, allowing your closing gas and electricity accounts to be drawn up.  Please note that BT require instructions directly from both the Landlord and the Tenant.

Income tax

When resident in the UK, it is entirely the Landlord's responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received, and to pay any tax due. 

Where the Landlord is resident outside the UK during a tenancy, unless an exemption certificate is held, we are obliged to retain and forward to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis, an amount equal to the basic rate of income tax from rental received, less certain expenses. 

We can provide an application form for exemption from such deductions and further information can be obtained from the Inland Revenue.

The inventory

It is most important that an inventory of contents and schedule of condition be prepared, in order to avoid misunderstanding or dispute at the end of a tenancy. 

Without such safeguards, it will be impossible for the Landlord to prove any loss, damage, or significant deterioration of the property or contents. 

If required, we can prepare an inventory and schedule of condition, at the cost quoted in our Agency Agreement.