Search property
Landlords
- Our Advertising
- Landlords guide
- Student landlords
- Management services
- Why choose a letting agent?
- Why choose Castles?
- Insurance - click here to get a quote
Castles understands the importance of making your property available to as many people as possible. This is where the internet comes into it and we list our properties on many sites such as:
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Landlords Guide
Letting your property can often be a very difficult and stressful experience and legal requirements must be complied with or Landlords risk prosecution. The decision to let your property is a major one and not something to be taken lightly. It is therefore important that you engage the services of a professional property company. Our aim at Castles is to provide you with a service tailor made to suit your requirements; we have therefore produced a guide to assist you in making that important decision.
- Presentation of your property
Presentation is extremely important when letting a property. It can affect the level of rent and the speed at which the property is let but, even more importantly; it can affect how the tenant will look after your property. If someone moves into a beautifully presented home, they are very likely to keep it that way. If it starts off looking scuffed and unloved, it can only get worse.
All rooms should be freshly decorated in neutral colours. Floorings and carpets should be clean and damage free. If there is a garage for the tenant's use, it should be clear and in good condition. Lighting is also crucial; there should be good quality light fittings that are in working order.
If the property is to be let furnished, you have to provide the following:-
Beds should be appropriate to the number of rooms and good quality, preferably with mattresses and protectors.
There should be sofas, a dining table and chairs, storage and display furniture and appropriate equipment - vacuum cleaner, kettle, iron and board, buckets, brooms, cutlery, crockery, glassware, etc.
You should leave full instructions for all appliances and equipment, especially heating systems and copies of guarantees or insurances for any items. It is also helpful to leave details of stopcock location, fuse boxes and anything else which may be needed - please ask for advice.
- Presentation of Gardens
The garden should be left tidy and well tended. If it is very large or there are special plants or shrubs you should consider providing a gardener - the cost of which should be included in the rent. Fencing and boundary walls should also be in good, secure condition.
We ask you to notify us of ownership details and responsibilities attached to the property.
- The Utilities
You should notify all utilities and service providers that you are letting the property and request closing accounts. Services should not be disconnected as this can cause delays and problems.
This applies to the following services:
Council tax
Gas
Electricity
Water supply (whether metered or not)
Sewage rates
Tenants are responsible for telephone arrangements, council tax and accounts for oil or calor gas supply. You will also need to make arrangements with the Post Office to forward your mail (we cannot forward mail without passing on the Post Office's charges). Notify banks, credit card companies, publications to which you subscribe and any other organisations connected with you.
- Permissions you will require
Mortgage lenders -
If the property is your usual residence and the mortgage is not a 'buy to let' loan, you must advise your lender and seek their permission before making arrangements to let. If you do not do so, they may be entitled to repossess the property and evict your tenants. It is rare for lenders to refuse permission, but you must ask them first.
Superior Landlord/leaseholder lenders -
If the property is leasehold you should seek permission from the freeholders and notify them of your arrangements.
- Insurance
A Landlord is responsible for arranging insurance on the buildings and any possessions left within the property or outbuildings. Finding specialist insurance for rental property can often be a challenge. All too often, Landlords find their property is not adequately covered by standard insurance policies. Rent and Legal Insurance
We recommend that you take out rent and legal insurance.
- What about Tax?
When the Landlord is living abroad it is your responsibility to appoint a suitably qualified person such as an accountant or solicitor to act on your behalf in respect of taxation matters. If this is not arranged by you we, as your rent collecting agents, are required under UK Taxes Management Act 1970 section 78 to deduct income tax (currently 22%) at the basic rate from gross rent received. Overseas clients may be entitled to reclaim from the Inland Revenue the whole or part of any tax deducted in this manner dependent upon their individual circumstances. Please contact your local tax office to obtain a NRL (Non Resident Landlord) number to avoid this deduction. It should be noted that items such as 'Agents and Management Fees' are tax deductible from rents received from the property letting. Your accountant or tax office will be able to advise more fully. Please refer to our 'Terms & Conditions' in respect of the self assessment Landlord tax liabilities.
- Safety Regulations
All Landlords have a duty of care to their tenants. This duty is covered by a number of laws and regulations but the simplest way of viewing your responsibility is to say that you must do everything reasonably possible to ensure your tenants' safety in the rented property.
- Furniture and Furnishings
You must ensure that any furniture and furnishings you supply meet the fire resistance requirements in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended 1993). The regulations set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture. All new and second-hand furniture provided in accommodation that is let must meet the fire resistance requirements, unless it was made before 1950. Most furniture will have a manufacturer's label on it saying if it meets the requirements.
- Gas safety
By law a Landlord must:- Ensure installation pipe work, appliances and flues are maintained in a safe condition.
- Ensure an annual safety check is carried out on each appliance and/or flue.
- Ensure maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a CORGI registered installer with the necessary NACS accreditation.
- Keep a record of each safety check for 2 years.
- Issue a copy of the safety check to each existing tenant within 28 days of check being completed and to any new tenant before they move in.
- Ensure all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before reletting.
- If a managing agent is used, make sure that the management contract clearly specifies who is to make arrangements for maintenance and safety checks to be carried out and for keeping records.
- However, the Landlord maintains overall responsibilities for ensuring duties are met, irrespective of whether a managing agent is employed.
- Electrical Safety Regulations
(Compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations) Under various pieces of legislation, you have a duty to ensure that ALL electrical appliances and the electrical supply are 'safe' and will not cause 'danger'. It is a criminal offence to breach these Regulations, and in addition a Tenant may take civil action against you for damages for any injury or loss caused as a result of such breach. We request that a safety inspection is carried out prior to the letting, any authorised contractors carrying out any electrical works are required to be compliant with Part P of the Building Regulations and registered to a recognised body such as NICEIC (The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) or NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers). Thereafter, inspections should be carried out at the required intervals in compliance with the regulations.
- Smoke Detectors
All homes built after June 1992 must be fitted with mains interlinking smoke detectors on each floor. There are no specific regulations governing older properties, but we would ask you, in the interests of safety, to install battery operated appliances on each floor of your property.
- EPC
Energy Performance Certificates (epc) were introduced into the rental market from 1st October 2008. An EPC is required at the first change of tenant on a rented property after this date and is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
The EPC is similar to that found on many domestic appliances. The EPC will give the building a rating from A to G. An A rating shows its very efficient, meaning lower fuel bills, whilst a G is inefficient, meaning higher fuel bills. The EPC will also show the buildings environmental impact by indicating its carbon-dioxide emissions.
We can arrange these for you.
Castles - Rental Income Scheme
Under the Rental Income Scheme, Castles will lease the property for an initial period of 12 months from the Landlord and then sub-let to the tenants for a set period.
We will guarantee the monthly payment of rent and guarantee vacant possession at the end of the tenancy
The advantages of placing your property with Castles on the Rental Income Scheme are:
- Guaranteed payment of rents
- Guaranteed vacant possession at end of tenancy
- We deal directly with tenants...so you don’t have to!
- Castles will assess the rent and give an individual quote to the Landlord of a guaranteed monthly payment
- Head Tenancy Agreement between the Landlord and Castles
- Sub-Letting Agreement between Castles and the tenants
- Guaranteed payment of rent
- Contract period with Castles, one year at any given time
- Giving advice on letting and rent levels, and Accommodation Standards
- Advertising the property on dedicated websites to include colour digital photographs
- Allocating tenants to the property
- Preparing and completing lease agreements between Castles and tenants
- Preparing colour photographic inventory
- Collecting the rent from the tenants, through the tenancy
- Guaranteeing the Landlord monthly payment of rent
- Being first point of contact for emergencies
- Carrying out inspections during the tenancy to ensure that the property is in good order
- Inspecting property at the end of the tenancy
- Arranging an initial, and then annual, Gas Safety Inspection
For more information about the service we provide and how we can help you successfully let your property please contact us on 024 7663 3221 where we will be happy to help with enquiry or you can email at lettings@castlescoventry.com
Back to top
Management Services
First of all, many thanks for enquiring about our services.
We want what you want. Reliable tenants who pay their rent every month. Any problems we encounter along the way, we will endeavour to solve as quickly and efficiently as possible.
At Castles, our objective is to provide the highest possible standard of care and the most comprehensive property management service to every one of our landlords. We consider that our proactive style of management provides a service that is unrivalled in the market place.
Castles are an independent estate agent and residential property management company covering Coventry and surrounding areas. Our team have been managing properties since 1988 and have extensive knowledge and experience in managing the expectations of each individual landlord.
At Castles, every procedure and every process is geared towards protecting your investment and maximising its return. High occupancy levels, the condition of your property and minimising the costs of your investment are out priorities.
Finding a tenant
The key to a successful let is the ability to match the right tenant with the right property. To help ensure this we will discuss this in details with you at the property during our initial free property appraisal and valuation.
At Castles we use many marketing tools at our disposal to ensure that all our available properties get as much exposure as possible to attract potential tenants.
Internet Advertising
At Castles we recognise that the internet is an extremely high quality search tool and have developed our own web site to be both extremely functional and user friendly when potential tenants are searching for their ideal property.
As well as advertising our available properties on this web site, we also advertise on Rightmove, Zoopla, CWhomes, livelets and Radarhomes to achieve maximum internet exposure.
Local newspaper advertising
We also advertise in the local property guide which is included within the Coventry Telegraph on a Tuesday. This enables us to provide the maximum amount of exposure for your investment.
Our flexible management services
Full management service
This is a complete management service where Castles act on your behalf throughout the whole tenancy.
Charges consist of an initial set up fee, and a monthly management fee. The set up fee is deducted from the first month’s rental income and covers the cost of preparing the inventory and tenancy agreement.
All fees are deducted from rental payments.
It should be noted our management service does not apply when the property is vacant or not let, although we shall continue to visit the property for viewings and will report any adverse findings to you.
Let Only Service
As an alternative to our management service, we also offer a Let Only service. This is ideal for landlords who wish to manage their own property and collect the rent themselves.
The Landlord has to register the deposit under one of the available Deposit schemes.
Before the tenancy expires, Castles will contact you to discuss the options available for re-letting your property.
If you are a landlord your agent will:
- show you how to enhance rental value
- find tenants
- follow up references
- set up agreements
- install tenants
- make and check inventories
- collect rent
- manage property
- support first-time tenants
- attend to maintenance
- advise on how to maximise your investment
- give help with selling when the moment comes
- make sure you spread the risk when selling properties
We at Castles will give you clear and helpful advice, make the arrangements, install your tenant and manage your property.
If you need to re-plan the accommodation, furnish a flat or create a fresh and modern interior, we can do this for you and therefore attract the best possible tenants. As one of our landlords, you will be eligible for substantial discounts on materials from suppliers with whom we have a link.
If you want a high-quality tenant, you, the landlord, need to provide a high quality environment, even in a modest flat or house. The relatively small amount of investment at the beginning will be repaid many times in terms of the type of tenant, the length of stay and the rental you can demand.
Castles will help you achieve this.
We set out to offer the very best service. We are an independent agent, able to devote time to your interests. We do have capacity for further management contracts so, if you own property and are looking for an efficient and cost-effective management service, contact us.
A discount on fees is available when we manage more than one of your properties for you.
Instruct us to act as your agent and we will deal with the everyday running of your property and help you to fulfil your obligations as a landlord. You wish to maintain a high-quality environment; your property manager has the experience to spot when things must be done before they become a problem.
All you do is receive the rent - and that is organised efficiently by us. Owning a property and letting it out should be an investment, not a burden.
INSURANCE
Get an insurance quote, click here.
Landlord buildings and contents
Landlord insurance quotes can be provide to the private rented sector for virtually any type of let including properties let to: professionals/people of independent means, students, DSS and unoccupied properties. In addition we provide comprehensive cover for UK Holiday and Second Homes.
Policy benefits
Rentguard landlord insurance policy covers all the standard perils as well as providing the following cover for residential buy to let properties of all sizes throughout the UK:
- Cover for houses, bungalows and flats
- Commercial and residential combined
- Loss of rent cover is 30% of the buildings sum insured
- Property owner's liability starting from £5,000,000
- 45 day unoccupancy clause
- Contents cover up to £40,000
- Insurance cover is 'new for old'
- Policy excess for professional lets: £100 for buildings and £50 for contents
- Policy excess for non-professional lets: £250 for buildings and £50 for contents
Rent and legal Protection
Legal Expenses Insurance
This is a comprehensive Legal Expenses product that will cover the landlord’s costs of any disputes between themselves and their tenant(s).
Legal Expenses & Rent Guarantee (6 Months)
Comprehensive Legal Expenses and Rent Guarantee product covering the landlords costs for disputes between themselves and their tenant(s), with rent guarantee insurance up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.
Legal Expenses & Rent Guarantee (12 Months)
Comprehensive Legal expenses and Rent Guarantee product covering the landlords costs for disputes between themselves and their tenants, with rent guarantee insurance up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.
Get an insurance quote, click here.
