Once instructed as sole agents we will commence a search for a suitable tenant. We will accompany viewings with prospective tenants. As soon as a suitable prospective tenant has been found we will negotiate the terms and commence the vetting procedure. When satisfactory references, including I.D. verification, are obtained we will interview the prospective tenant to assist us in making a recommendation to you.
We take references appropriate to the potential tenant. This may involve using a specialist agency to carry out a detailed check including the credit and employment history of the prospective tenant. If there were any question of doubt about the ability to pay the rent, or perhaps job security, we would only advise upon proceeding if a suitable Guarantor could be provided.
We will discuss with you the best terms and conditions then prepare the appropriate legal agreement.
In most cases, we recommend an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, usually for a minimum term of six months. If you require the property back at the end of this period, notice must be served at least two months before the expiry date. On request, we will deal with this and the necessary procedures should you decide with the tenant that the term might be extended.
It may be that your property is mortgaged to a building society, bank or other lender. If so, the mortgage deed will almost certainly require the written consent of the lender to be obtained before you let the property. If your property is mortgaged, you should apply for consent. Lenders will not deal with us in relation to the mortgage and so you will need to fill out their application form, though we would be happy to help and provide any information necessary. Occasionally it will be a condition of consent to the proposed letting that your mortgage interest rate is increased
If your property is leasehold, you may require the consent of the freeholder for your proposed letting.
Whether your property is freehold or leasehold there may be special rights or restrictions affecting it (for example, a prohibition on more than one family or the parking of a caravan on the drive). We will need to have details of these to include in the Tenancy Agreement.
We do not inspect the above areas but we may ask you to confirm the contents of these areas (if any) as this may affect safety issues. During our Routine Visits to managed properties we will not visit these areas unless requested to do so. It is strongly recommended that you do not store items in the property once let.
