Free, no obligation rental market appraisal and valuation
Get in touch to find out the marketability of your property
Welcome to Choice Lettings Watford
We offer a free, no obligation rental market appraisal and valuation, which will allow us to give you an informed opinion as to the marketability of your property and the proposed rental figure achievable, under the current market conditions.
Once you have received our written valuation, Agency Agreement and latest edition of the How to Let Guide you can contact us to discuss any questions or queries, before signing and returning the official instructions to market your property. To find out more about the fees for the services we offer you can download our fees information sheet.
Inventory & Schedule of Condition
With the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme it has become necessary for Letting Agents to advise Landlords to have an Inventory & Schedule of Condition carried out, together with a Check In Report and a Check Out Report by a Professional Independent Inventory Clerk.
This gives a clear and precise record of the contents and condition of the property at the start and end of the tenancy and ensures there are no queries or disputes when the Tenant vacates the property.
We can arrange for a Local Independent Inventory Clerk to carry out a high standard inventory on your behalf, together with a Check In at the start of the tenancy and a Check Out at the end of the tenancy.
Energy Performance Certificate
As of the 1st of October 2008 it became compulsory for all residential properties, newly available for let, to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prior to the property being marketed. This is a Government directive to try to address the energy efficiency of homes in the UK. The EPC shows two ratings, the Current Energy Efficiency Rating of the property along with the Potential Rating.
The EPC is valid for 10 years and we can recommend and arrange for a local dedicated Domestic Energy Assessor to carry out an EPC for our Landlords. Once your EPC is complete and you have signed and returned our Agency Agreement, we shall then be in a position to fully market your property to let.
As from 1st April 2020, Landlords of Domestic buildings must have secured an EPC certificate with an E rating or higher in order to market and let a property.
Advertising & Marketing
An extensive advertising & marketing campaign includes:-
Display - To Let board erected at the property if permitted and full colour property details displayed in prominent office window display.
Email Marketing - All prospective Tenants who register with us are asked to provide email addresses in order to ensure they are notified of any new properties available to rent.
Mail Shots and Telemarketing - We shall contact registered prospective Tenants after receiving your instruction and your property details will be forwarded to them.
Website - Full colour property details of your property available to view on the Choice Lettings Watford website - updated daily.
Web Marketing - Uploaded to affiliated market leading national property portals including Zoopla, On The Market and Primelocation.
Viewings
All viewings are accompanied by a member of staff from Choice Lettings Watford.
First impressions are crucial - preparing your property for viewings:-
The Front door/Entrance should be clean and the Entrance Hall clear of any obstructions.
The entire property should be professionally cleaned, well-aired and the garden tidy.
Heating should be turned on and, in warmer conditions, windows opened.
Animals and their odours should be eliminated.
When we have found a suitable Tenant, we shall notify you and discuss any relevant details and terms.
Once you have accepted the Tenant and their offer, we shall begin the referencing process.
References
Our referencing process is carried out by Homelet, the leading providers of Tenant references and risk solutions for the Lettings Industry since 1992.
Homelet will conduct a residency check of the Applicant in accordance with Immigration Act 2014.
Homelet will also check for any adverse credit history, undisclosed credit history linked to current and most recent homes, undisclosed previous names and addresses, banking details, check against Homelet's own default database, conduct a financial Sanctions check, also check against up to three credit agencies and current Employer.
Deposits
Legislation introduced in 2007 ensures that all tenancy deposits taken as security for the performance of any obligations, or the discharge of any liability arising under or in connection with the tenancy, are covered by a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.
Choice Lettings Watford is a member of The Deposit Protection Service (Custodial Scheme) and all tenancy deposits received are registered, submitted and protected by The DPS.
In accordance with The Tenant Fees Act 2019, you may ask a Tenant to pay a refundable tenancy deposit (capped at no more than 5 weeks' rent where the total annual rent is below £50,000).
The deposit is the Tenant's money. In the event there is an unresolved issue over the allocation of a deposit, the dispute can be referred to the scheme for a free independent third party adjudication, which provides a fair and final resolution.
DPS Terms and Conditions
Utilities
We ask Landlords to provide us with an accurate record of the Utility Companies that service the property along with relevant meter numbers and the location of these meters.
Choice Lettings Watford will notify the incoming Tenant of this information, and if we manage the property, we shall ensure meter readings are taken at the beginning and end of the tenancy and the relevant Utility Companies are notified.
Safety Regulations
Landlords, have an obligation to ensure that properties comply with all the necessary regulations covering gas appliances, electrical installations and any furnishings supplied for the tenancy. We shall advise you on all these matters and if we manage the letting we can arrange with contractors to carry out the checks.
It is a legal requirement to provide the Tenant and Letting Agent with a valid Landlord’s Gas Safety Record every 12 months and a satisfactory Domestic Electrical Installation Condition Report (DEICR) every 5 years. Portable Appliance Testing is recommended every 12 months. All electrical items are required to be checked for Product Recall at the start and throughout a tenancy. Newly purchased / replaced electrical items should be registered with the manufacturers.
In
addition to existing Fire Regulations, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations
require at least one smoke alarm on each storey of the property and a carbon
monoxide alarm in any room containing a gas appliance
Insurance
It is important to get the right cover for your let property.
In addition to referencing, Homelet also offer a range of protection for today’s professional Landlords including Buildings Insurance, Contents Insurance, Home Emergency Assistance and Rent Recovery.
For more information relating to Homelet products, call 0800 035 8258 or visit www.homelet.co.uk
Choice Lettings Watford is a Homelet Agent and will receive a Referral Fee of 10% of the total premium paid by a Landlord, for an insurance policy purchased through Homelet.
Please note: Alternative Insurance Companies are available.
Additional help with letting your property
Written consent must be obtained from your Mortgage Provider and Freeholder if the property is Leasehold, before letting your property.
Your Insurance Company must be notified that the property is to be rented out and appropriate insurance obtained for a tenanted property.
The Inland Revenue must be informed within 6 months of letting your property in the UK and failure to do so will incur penalties, interest and other consequences.
For Non-Resident UK Landlords, apply to HM Revenue & Customs and complete the Non-resident Landlord application for an individual form to obtain approval to receive rental income without tax deducted. It is always best to seek advice on tax planning and Capital Gains Tax from a fully qualified Accountant.
Your personal mail should be redirected via Royal Mail.
At least two sets of keys, parking permits and/or visitors’ parking permits (if applicable) will need to be provided.
Furnished or Unfurnished - The difference between rent for furnished or unfurnished is negligible, but the Landlord is responsible for the repair or replacement of any furnishings which become broken or worn (unless this was caused by a deliberate act by the Tenant).
Standing Charges for gas, electricity and water are payable by the Landlord when the property is vacant. Council Tax is also charged to the Landlord when the property is vacant.
