Landlords

About First Property Management
We are a local, independent company specialising in Residential Lettings and Property Management and are fully focused on the priorities and needs of the Landlord. Indeed, First Property Management was established by two landlords who having rented out a number of their own properties both locally and internationally saw the huge gap in the market to provide an exceptional service to both Landlords and Tenants at an extremely competitive price.

We pride ourselves on genuinely being First for Service & First for Price.

We aim to attract quality tenants to quality properties and ensure throughout the tenancy that the property is being looked after and treated well by tenants so that landlords' properties are kept in the best possible order.

Here are some of the reasons that our landlords choose us:

First for Service

• We are the only Property Management & Letting agency in the area that is open until 8pm weekdays and also open on both Saturdays and Sundays, so landlords and tenants can get in touch with us every day of the week, not just in normal office hours.
• We offer a personal and friendly service; one of our Directors will be personally assigned to deal with you and your property.
• We offer an efficient ongoing management service, reporting regularly to you with photographs of your property so that you can see it is being looked after.
• We offer an emergency helpline for tenants, so you can have complete peace of mind that your property is being looked after by experts.

First for Price

• We offer an extremely competitive fee structure, priced at only 7.5% for our Full Management Service (with absolutely no hidden upfront charges).
• FREE Inventory with our Full Management Service
• We don't charge contract set-up or preparation fees, fees for checking tenants in and out or fees to send you regular updates and photographs of your property - it's all included in our Full Management Service at no extra cost.
• Letting Only starting at just £199

Our Services:

A Tailored Service
Outlined below are the two basic elements of our Service. We always maintain a flexible attitude however and are usually able to adapt our Service to meet your individual circumstances and needs, for example by providing a part only Service, or by taking on additional tasks and duties.

Full Management Service - 7.5%
This is our inclusive Service, which provides for the marketing of the property and carrying out viewings, leading to the introduction and vetting of a prospective Tenant. This proving satisfactory, we will then go ahead and prepare the tenancy agreement, and a full inventory. The Tenant will then be checked in against the inventory.

During the tenancy we carry out regular periodic inspection visits, and will report to you with our findings and photo's of your property (both inside and outside). Should these visits highlight any maintenance issues, we will (within the confines of our Management Agreement) recommend, oversee and account for any necessary repairs.

Collecting and processing of rental payments is also part of the Service. These will be credited automatically to the Landlord's nominated bank account.

Towards the end of the tenancy, we will liaise with the Tenant, and renew the tenancy agreement or arrange to check them out as applicable.

This Service is suitable for those Landlords who are not residing locally, or would rather not deal with the Tenants directly, preferring all aspects to be handled by an Agent.

We don't charge contract preparation fees, fees for checking tenants in and out, fees to prepare inventories or fees to send you regular updates and photo's of your property - it's all included in our Full Property Management service at no extra cost.

Letting Only Service - £199
Our Letting Only Services includes marketing of the property and carrying out viewings, leading to the introduction and vetting of a prospective Tenant. This proving satisfactory, we will then go ahead and prepare the tenancy agreement, and if required an inventory.

Following this, the first month's rent will be collected and credited to the Landlord less our agreed fee. Managing the tenancy, including the maintenance and rent collection, will then be the responsibility of the Landlord.

Insurance for Landlords
We offer a range of competitively priced insurance products designed specially for Landlords, providing extra security and peace of mind. These include:

• Guaranteed Rental Insurance
• Legal Expenses Cover
• Contents Insurance
• Buildings Insurance

Guide for Landlords:

Preparing the Property
We have found that a good relationship with Tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers this relationship is our job, but it is important that the Tenants should feel comfortable in their temporary home, and that they are receiving value for their money. It follows therefore that a well presented and maintained property in a good decorative order will go towards this, whilst also achieving a higher rental figure. Tenants are also more inclined to treat such a property with greater respect.

General Condition
Electrical, gas plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the Landlords expense unless misuse can be established. Interior decorations should be in good condition and preferably plain, light and neutral.

Furnishings
Your property can be let fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished. Which of these is appropriate will depend on the type of property and the local market conditions. We will be pleased to give you advice on whether to furnish or not and to what level. As a minimum you will need to provide decent quality carpets, curtains and light fittings. Remember that there will be wear and tear on the property and any items provided.

Personal items, ornaments etc.
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the owner's risk. All cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the Tenant's own use.

Gardens
Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free, with any lawns cut. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the necessary tools. However, few Tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish us to arrange visits by our regular gardener.

Cleaning
At the commencement of the tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the Tenants' responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at their expense.

Information for the Tenant
It is helpful if you leave information for the Tenant, e.g. on operating the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system, and the day refuse is collected etc.

Keys
You should provide one set of keys for each Tenant. Where we will be managing we will need a separate set of keys and can arrange to have duplicates cut as required (the cost of which will be charged to the Landlord).

Other Considerations:

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 you are suitably covered for letting under both your buildings and contents insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your policies. We can provide information on Landlords Legal Protection, Rent Guarantee Cover and Landlords Contents and Buildings Insurance if required.

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. As part of our Full Management Service, we will prepare an inventory and schedule of condition at no additional cost to you

Bills and regular outgoings
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. We will handle these matters for you wherever possible; however some utility companies may require instructions directly from both the Landlord and the Tenant.

Income tax
When resident in the UK, it is entirely the Landlords responsibility to inform the Revenue & Customs of rental income received, and to pay any tax due. Where the Landlord is resident outside the UK during a tenancy, he will require an exemption certificate from the Revenue & Customs before he can receive rental balances without deduction of tax. Where we are managing the property, we will provide advice and assistance on applying for such exemption.

What is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy?
Most tenancies will automatically be Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), provided the rent is under £25,000 a year and the property is let to private individuals. Tenancies are usually granted for an initial fixed term of either 6 or 12 months. When the fixed term has expired the landlord is able to regain possession of the property provided he gives two months written notice to the tenant. In addition, if the tenant owes at least 2 months or 8 weeks rent on the property he can apply through the court to seek a possession order.

Health & Safety and Other Legal Requirements:

The following requirements are the responsibility of the owner (Landlord). Where you have signed our Full Management Agency Agreement, they are also our responsibility. Therefore where we are managing we will need to ensure compliance.

Energy Performance Certificates
Since the introduction of The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, landlords offering property to let will be required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate for their property. A new certificate will not be required on each let since, in the case of rental property, EPCs will be valid for 10 years.

The certificates (EPCs) will have to be provided free either when (or before) any written information about the property is provided to prospective tenants or a viewing is conducted. We have a database of registered energy assessors, and we will be pleased to arrange an EPC inspection and assessment on your property upon request.

Please note that we cannot market your property to let until we have in our possession a valid EPC for the property.

Gas
Annual safety check: Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer (a Gas Safe registered gas installer). In addition, there is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipework are maintained in a safe condition at all times. Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspections of each appliance and flue, of any defects found and of any remedial action taken. A copy of the safety certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out. As part of our full Management Service, we can arrange for a safety check to be carried out annually on your behalf (at your expense) and for a copy of the safety certificate to be issued to new tenants. Quotes for this can be provied on request.

Electrical
There are several regulations relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety which affect landlords and their agents in that they are 'supplying in the course of business'. They include the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994, the 2005 Building Regulation - 'Part P, and British Standard BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets. Although with tenanted property there is currently no legal requirement for electrical safety certificates (except in the case of all HMOs) it is now widely accepted in the letting industry that the only safe way to ensure safety, and to avoid the risk of being accused of neglecting your 'duty of care', or even of manslaughter is to arrange electrical inspections and the issue of safety certificates. There are 2 types of electrical inspection, one of the installation itself, and another of any portable electrical appliances (PAT test). As part of our full Management Service, we can arrange for a safety check to be carried out annually on your behalf by a qualified electrician (at your expense).

Fire
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bedcovers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Items which comply will have a suitable permanent label attached. Non-compliant items must be removed before a tenancy commences.

Smoke Alarms
All properties built since June 1992 must have been fitted with mains powered smoke detector alarms from new. Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in other ordinary tenanted properties, it is generally considered that the common law 'duty of care' means that Landlords and their Agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in a tenanted property where smoke alarms are not fitted. We therefore strongly recommend that the Landlord fit at least one alarm on each floor (in the hall and landing areas) and fit these with New Batteries before a tenant moves into the property.

Is your property a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)?
If your property is on 3 or more levels and let to 5 or more tenants comprising 2 or more households (i.e. not all of the same family) it will be subject to mandatory licensing by your local authority. Whether mandatory licensing as above applies or not, if there are 3 or more tenants not all related in any property, it is still likely to be an HMO, and special Management rules apply. Please ask us or your local authority for details. For further information, you might like to visit: www.propertylicence.gov.uk

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
The HHSRS provides an analysis of how hazardous a property is through assessment of 29 potential hazards found in housing. Landlords have to maintain their properties to provide a safe and healthy environment. The HHSRS is enforced by local authorities. For further information, you might like to visit: www.communities.gov.uk/hhsrs

Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)
Since 6 April 2007, all deposits taken by landlords and letting agents under Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. Landlords and letting agents must not take a deposit unless it is dealt with under a tenancy deposit scheme. To avoid any disputes going to court, each scheme is supported by an alternative dispute resolution service (ADR). Landlords and letting agents can choose between two types of scheme; a single custodial scheme and two insurance-based schemes. For further information, you might like to visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm

If we are not providing our Full Management Service we will normally transfer the tenancy deposit to you within 5 days of receiving it. You must then register it with a TDP Scheme within a further 9 days if the tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. If you fail to do so the tenant can take legal action against you the landlord in the county court. The court will make an order that you must pay the deposit back to the tenant or lodge it with the custodial scheme which is known as the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS). In addition a further order will be made requiring you pay compensation to the tenant of an amount equal to three times the deposit. You will be unable to serve a Section 21 Notice on your tenant until compliance with the above conditions, and the court will not grant you a possession order. We have no liability for any loss suffered if you fail to comply.

Tenancy deposit protection - prescribed information
Legislation requires that certain information must be given to the tenant within 14 days of a deposit being taken. Whether you use the DPS, or the TDSL scheme, only some of the information is provided to the tenants by the scheme administration. The remainder must be provided by the landlord.

A special 'Tenancy Deposit - Prescribed Information' form has been designed for this purpose, and we can provide you with a copy upon request.

It is very important that the form is completed fully and accurately, and that you attach to it a printed version of the relevant scheme's Terms and Conditions. These can be downloaded from their respective websites on the following links, depending on which scheme you use:

DPS:
www.depositprotection.com/Documents/scheme_rules.pdf

TDSL:
www.mydeposits.co.uk/pdf/mydeposits_Information_for_Tenants.pdf
www.mydeposits.co.uk/pdf/mydeposits_Landlord_Overview.pdf

In the case of the TDSL you should attach copies of both documents.

It is also important that under Paragraph 7 of the form you include the exact terms in the tenancy agreement that permit deductions from the deposit.

It is recommended that a signed copy of the form is given to each tenant individually. You should also retain a single copy signed by every tenant, in order to prove that the information has been given. So where there are say 4 tenants, you need 5 copies.

Be sure to comply with the above requirements fully and accurately, because penalties to the landlord for non-compliance are heavy.

Where we are providing our Full Letting & Management Service, we will of course handle all of this for you as part of our service.

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005
The DDA 2005 addresses the limitations of current legislation by extending disabled people's rights in respect of premises that are let or to be let, and commonhold premises. Landlords and managers of let premises and premises that are to let will be required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Under the new duties, provided certain conditions are met (for example, that a request has been made), landlords and managers of premises which are to let, or of premises which have already been let, must make reasonable adjustments, and a failure to do so will be unlawful unless it can be justified under the Act. Landlords will only have to make reasonable adjustments. And they will not have to remove or alter physical features of the premises. For further information, you might like to visit: www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/dda_factsheet4-premises.pdf

We hope that the information covered in this guide will be of assistance to you. If there are any aspects of which you are unsure, please do not hesitate to ask us.