Landlords
Our Guide to Letting
There are 2 main reasons for owning an investment property, the first is yield and second is capital growth.
Castle Hill Properties aim is to simply rent your property out as quickly as possible for the best price, with no void periods, therefore ensuring our landlords capitalise on their investment.
Letting a property is not just about viewings but using our years of experience to find & qualify the right type of tenant and negotiate the maximum rent. We provide a number of services from a tenant find service through to a fully comprehensive package including rent collection, rent protection for your peace of mind.
We understand that the needs of our landlords may differ and we can provide a bespoke service for you. Please contact us to discuss how we can tailor our services for you.
Here at Castle Hill properties we like to help landlords prepare for the whole process of renting out a property. Please check out our hints and tips below to help you along the way.
Castle Hill Properties aim is to simply rent your property out as quickly as possible for the best price, with no void periods, therefore ensuring our landlords capitalise on their investment.
Letting a property is not just about viewings but using our years of experience to find & qualify the right type of tenant and negotiate the maximum rent. We provide a number of services from a tenant find service through to a fully comprehensive package including rent collection, rent protection for your peace of mind.
We understand that the needs of our landlords may differ and we can provide a bespoke service for you. Please contact us to discuss how we can tailor our services for you.
Here at Castle Hill properties we like to help landlords prepare for the whole process of renting out a property. Please check out our hints and tips below to help you along the way.
Before Your Tenants Move in:
- Redirect your mail if you were the previous occupant to avoid your new tenant having to deal with all of your mail.
- Between you and your new tenant you will both need to ensure that all utility bills, including council tax, are assigned to the new tenant. Please be aware that the Landlord is responsible for all outstanding utility bills and council tax bills up to the commencement date of the Tenancy. The Landlord is responsible for the payment of, service charges, ground rent and maintenance charges, if any, throughout the Tenancy term, unless agreed in the contract.
- If any appliances are being provided ensure that you leave guidance notes for each of them for the tenant.
- Provide a set of keys to each tenant moving into the property.
- The property needs to be clean and in a suitable condition and to a standard that you would expect the tenants to leave the property in.
- Check all the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working (ideally replace the batteries).
- Provide the tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate.
The Day Tenants Move In:
- Carry out an inventory with the tenants and have them sign the document.
- Take meter readings (gas, electric, water etc.) and provide a copy to each of the tenants.
- Explain the procedure of relevant accessories (locks, alarms, gadgets etc.).
- Show them the location of the mains water stop cock, the meters, the boiler and fuse/distribution board.
- Highlight and explain use of any safety equipment (fire extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke alarms etc.).
- Provide emergency contact numbers and a breakdown of what to do in an emergency, or where they can find these details.
- Hand the keys over.
Top Tips for Landlords
- Make sure you have an up to date (within the last 3 years) tenant application which has their date of birth, National Insurance number and their Next of Kin details. If you can gain photocopies of a proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, birth certificate etc.), this will be helpful.
- Make sure you execute reference checks on the tenant/s as this will show any CCJ’s (County Court Judgment) they may have. It will also confirm details that the tenant has provided you in their application.
- Do not hand over the keys until an agreement has been signed and you have the first month/week rent in advance and a security deposit has been deposited.
- Make sure you have the correct insurance for Building, Public Liability and Rent Guard. Ensure that it is current and valid for the duration of the tenancy term.
- When carrying out an inventory, make sure to take photos too. Print them out and get the tenant to sign them. Provide the tenants a copy of the inventory also.
