If you currently own or intend to purchase residential property for rental in YOUR AREA, you should consider engaging our property management service. You’ll find it both professional and cost-effective. As we are specialists, we know how to manage property for optimum performance, whilst ensuring smooth running tenancies, and compliance with the various landlord/tenant laws. Maximise the return on your investment – contact us now. If you own or intend purchasing residential property for rental in any other area, please go to our UK Network page.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Visiting you at your property, and providing a rental valuation and any other advice which you may require about letting your property.
- Advising you on compliance with the various safety regulations.
- We advertise all our properties on On the market where we receive a high demand of interested prospective tenants.
- Accompanying tenant applicants to view the property.
- Obtaining and evaluating references and credit checks.
- Preparing a suitable tenancy agreement and arranging signature by the tenant.
- Collecting and holding as stakeholders a deposit (bond) from the tenant.
- Preparing an inventory and schedule of condition.
- Checking the tenant into the property and agreeing the inventory.
- Receiving rental payments monthly in advance, and paying you promptly, together with a detailed statement from our computerised management systems.
- If required paying regular outgoings for you from rental payments.
- Inspecting the property periodically, and reporting any problems to you.
- Arranging any necessary repairs or maintenance, first liaising with you in the case of larger works.
- Checking tenants out as required, reletting and continuing the process with the minimum of vacant periods to ensure that you receive the optimum return from your property.
We maintain a flexible attitude, and are generally able to adapt our service to meet our client’s individual circumstances and needs, for example by providing a part only service, or alternatively by taking on additional tasks and duties.
Our Fees
We would be delighted to discuss our terms of business with you ,or we can send you our landlord pack which you can peruse at your leisure .
Tenancy Only Service
We can provide a Tenancy Only service for those who wish to undertake their own management. We will be happy to discuss this with you.
Guide for Landlords
Before a property can be let, there are several matters which the owner will need to deal with to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly, and also that he/she complies with the law. For brief details of a subject click on a blue link below, or scroll down the page. If you require further advice or assistance with any matter, please do not hesitate to contact us:
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 the necessary written consent before letting.
Sub-letting
If you are a tenant yourself, you will require your landlord’s consent.
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.
Bills and regular outgoings
We recommend that you arrange for regular outgoings e.g. mortgage, service charges, maintenance contracts etc. to be paid by standing order or direct debit.
Council tax
Council tax is the responsibility of the occupier. You should inform your local collection office that you are leaving the property. During vacant periods the charge reverts to the owner. When unoccupied but furnished, the charge is 50% of the normal rate. When unoccupied and ‘substantially’ unfurnished, there is no charge for the first six months, and thereafter a charge of 50% of the normal rate.
The 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. In order to provide a complete service to the landlord, we will if requested arrange for a member of staff to prepare an inventory and schedule of condition,with date stamped photos at a cost of £70.00
Income tax
When the landlord is resident in the UK, it is entirely his responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received, and to pay any tax due.
The following safety requirements are the responsibility of the owner (the landlord), and where we are to manage the property, they are also ours as agents. Therefore to protect all interests we ensure full compliance with the appropriate regulations, at the owner’s expense.
Gas Appliances & Equipment
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 (e.g. a CORGI registered gas installer).
Maintenance: There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipework are maintained in a safe condition at all times.
Records: 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.
Copies to tenants: 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.
Electrical Appliances & Equipment
Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistant standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, and 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, bed clothes including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Therefore all relevant items as above must be checked for compliance, and non-compliant items removed from the premises. In practice, most (but not all) items which comply must have a suitable permanent label attached. Items purchased since 1.3.90 from a reputable supplier are also likely to comply.
General Product Safety
The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 specify that any product supplied in the course of a commercial activity must be safe. In the case of letting, this would include both the structure of the building and its contents. Recommended action is to check for obvious danger signs – leaning walls, broken glass, sharp edges etc., and also to leave operating manuals or other written instructions about high risk items, such as hot surfaces, electric lawnmowers, etc. for the tenant.
Preparing the property for letting
We have found from experience that a good relationship with tenants is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers the relationship part is our job, but it is important that the tenants should feel comfortable in their home, and that they are receiving value for their money. This is your job. Our policy of offering a service of quality and care therefore extends to our tenant applicants too, and we are pleased to recommend properties to rent which conform to certain minimum standards. Quality properties attract quality tenants.
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 landlord’s expense unless misuse can be established.
Appliances
Similarly, appliances such as washing machine, fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher etc. should be in usable condition. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord’s expense unless misuse can be established.
Decorations
Interior decorations should be in good condition, and preferably plain, light and neutral.
Furnishings
It is recommended that you leave only minimum furnishings, and these should be of reasonable quality. It is preferable that items to be left are in the property during viewings. If you are letting unfurnished, we recommend that the property contains carpets, curtains, and a cooker.
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 maintenance visits by our regular gardener.
Cleaning
At the commencement of a tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenant’s responsibility to leave the property in similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning should be arranged at their expense.
Mail forwarding
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Application forms are available at their counters, and the cost is minimal. It is not the tenant’s responsibility to forward mail.
Information for the tenant
It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant 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 are Managing we will arrange to have duplicates cut as required.
Private Residential Tenancy
Any new tenancy starting on or after 1 December 2017 will be a private residential tenancy guideline can be found at
https://www.gov.scot/publications/private-residential-tenancies-landlords-guide/pages/private-residential-tenancies/
Property Compliance
Significant changes introduced in recent times are transforming landlord regulations and responsibilities
Are you compliant with the latest landlord requirements? Failure to comply could result in hefty fines or a loss of your rights as a landlord.
See below for landlord compliance list to ensure you are up to date with your legal obligations.
Energy Performance Certificate
Landlords are legally obliged to provide an Energy Performance Certificate before a tenant moves in, either during the viewing or at least before the tenancy agreement is signed. A copy of the certificate must be given to any tenant who moves into the property. Certificates are valid for ten years, but the property should be reassessed if there have been any major changes since the last evaluation, particularly in the light of the introduction of new minimum standards.
Please read attached guidelines
ECIR Electrical Safety Certificate
From 1st December 2015, private landlords are responsible for ensuring that an electrical safety inspection of their property is carried out by a registered electrician at least every five years and a copy is provided to the tenant on the day of signing
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
A Gas Safety Certificate must be carried out annually by a Corgi Registered Engineer a copy must be provided to the tenant on the day of signing and all copies must be retained for up to 5 years
CO2 Alarm fitted (with gas)
Since October 2013 Scottish building regulations have required CO detectors to be fitted when a new or replacement boiler or other fixed heating appliance is installed, irrespective of tenure. Since December 2015 a CO detector has been required in any private rented housing with a carbon fueled appliance
Legionnaires Risk Assessment
All landlords are responsible to ensure that a Full Legionnaires Risk assessment has been completed to their property prior to Letting.
guidance for Legionnaires can be found here
Mains or Battery-operated Smoke Alarms & Heat Detectors must be fitted as required to the Hallway upstairs/Downstairs, Lounge Area and the heat detector in the kitchen area
All of the above can be arranged through Reiver property Managemrnt, a price list is available on request please ask a member of staff who will be happy to assist you.
Council Tax/Utilities
Once a Tenancy has been signed the tenant will be responsible for the Council Tax and all utilities from the date of signing our team will ensure that all of the utility companies are advised once signed.
Proof of Ownership
Documentation will be requested for proof of ownership of your property this can be covered by Title Deeds, mortgage documents or a letter from a Solicitor
Consent to Let
Landlords are required to provide Reiver property management with consent or delegated authority from all owners, mortgage lenders or other relevant parties before letting out your property.
Building Insurance
Relevant Insurance cover must be in place and a copy provided to Reiver property management prior to the letting of your property.
Identity Checks
• Copy of Passport
• Driving License
• Proof of Address (Bank statement or Utility bill)
Terms of Business
Once we have discussed the level of service you require, we will provide you with our terms of business each copy must be signed and witnessed, you will have time to ask any questions and to discuss any changes that you feel are required. A copy of this document will be held on file and copy will be for you to keep.
Professional Indemnity & Client Money Protection Insurance
Letting Agent Registration Number
Reiver property management display our Letting Agent Registration on all stationery including our To Let Boards LARN1906035 Our Management has trained at CIH Level 3 for Letting & Managing Residential Property, through this we adhere to the Code of Practice (a copy can be provided on request) for further details
https://www.mygov.scot/letting-agent-registration-landlords/
First Tier Tribunal
First Tier Tribunal was formed to deal with determinations of rent or repair issues in Private Sector Housing, more information can be found at https://www.housingandpropertychamber.scot/
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