Letting your property to complete strangers can be worrying at times for some landlords, by instructing a lettings agent you are putting your most expensive asset in their hands. This is where we aim to provide you with a hassle free service whilst taking care of your investment.
Preparing For Letting
This can be made simple or you can just make it hard for yourself. Most landlords who buy to let properties try to keep it simple and this is the best way in our opinion.
Exterior
Keep it tidy as this will definitely attract their attention, generally the tenant/s would also want to keep it that way if they end up renting the property from you.
Interior
This should be kept clean, tidy and clutter free. Try to keep the décor neutral and furnishings to a minimum unless you are planning on letting the property fully furnished.
Recommended Furniture
If you are planning on letting your property furnished we recommend that you don’t use expensive items, long life items of furniture are more suitable. Recommended items are as follows; white goods for the kitchen are a must i.e. washing machine/dryer, fridge freezer and cooker. A sofa set for the lounge, coffee table and if there is room a dining table with chairs. Finally, a bed, wardrobe, and chest of drawers for each of the bedrooms. Some landlords leave behind cleaning items such as vacuums, brooms, dustpan and brush.
Do Not Leave
We recommend that you do not leave any expensive electrical items such as televisions, stereo systems.
Valuation
City and Urban’s experienced lettings staff will provide you with a free, no obligation market appraisal for your property. Using local area knowledge and expertise, our staff will give you accurate and up to date advice on how to maximise the return on your property.
Instruction
Once you are satisfied with our valuation and we have received your instruction to begin marketing your property for lettings, a member of our lettings team will visit the property to gather all the necessary details to begin the marketing process.
Marketing
Once the process has begun, our dedicated team will market your property through;
- Local press advertising.
- Live uploads to our user friendly website.
- Widely used property websites i.e. findaproperty.com & primelocation.com.
- Colour laser A4 & A3 window displays.
- Email and telephone alerts to registered applicants.
The Right Tenant
We have an extensive database of carefully vetted applicants and will only offer your property to prospective tenants who are able to fulfil their obligations.
Viewings
All viewings are accompanied and carried out six days a week between the hours of 8:30am to 7:30pm.
Receiving An Offer
When a offer is put forward by a prospective tenant we will report it to you along with information such as their occupations, the length of time they wish to rent for and from what date, and any furniture requirements.
Accepting An Offer
Once a price has been agreed and the offer formally accepted, we will take a holding deposit (Usually 1 weeks rent), and at this point we will ask the tenants to complete detailed referencing forms that will be taken up by an independent referencing company.
Preparation of Contracts
When final reports for tenant referencing have been approved by the landlord we will prepare contracts, arrange an inventory if required, and advice on required safety checks that must be carried out before any tenancy can begin.
Signing Contracts
Everything is now in place, contracts and inventory prepared, furniture installed, safety checks carried out and all parties are happy. We will now collect the remaining money, security deposit and one month advance rent at which stage both landlord and tenants will sign the tenancy agreement.
Handing Over Keys
Finally, the contracts have been signed and all money collected. Now the keys can be handed over to the tenants.