Lettings Process - Landlords
- Lettings Valuation
- Quality Tenants & Referencing
- Advice for Landlords
- Why use a letting agent?
- Full Management
- Additional Services
Oyster Properties understands how important it is as a Landlord to let your property to the right tenants. As Landlords ourselves we are trained to maximise any money you make and to ensure there are no periods where the property is standing vacant. The demand for rental properties has risen considerably and in many cases we are able to let the property on the same day it comes on to the market. Throughout this time we will also provide a level of customer service that will make letting your property as stress free as possible.
LETTINGS VALUATION
The Manager of our Lettings team will visit your property to assess the rental value in the current market. With an accurate valuation we believe we can help you achieve the best rental income and avoid any periods where your property stands vacant. With our vast database of rental applicants we can sometimes achieve the asking price or above.
To arrange a free valuation of your property you can either visit our offices where you can discuss your requirements with a member of our team or you can book a valuation online.
QUALITY TENANTS AND REFERENCING
We have a vast database of potential tenant's registered and excellent contacts with private and corporate tenants, local employers, DSS tenants and many relocation companies. When you instruct us to market your property, our experienced negotiators will automatically match your property to our tenant database using a cutting edge software package. We are a very proactive team and have a ‘call first’ policy rather than waiting for the phone to ring and if possible we will also send an email and post full details of your property to them. We will also have hot tenants lined up to see your property even prior to your free market appraisal.
Once we have a suitable tenant for your property, we normally apply for a thorough referencing assessment through an independent agency called Homelet, this is on your behalf and it includes financial and fraud checks. We will also get verification of employment status and, where needs be, contact any previous Landlord. For more information on the referencing services provided please visit www.homeletuk.com
Our pledge to you is to provide industry leading customer service and our referencing process has been designed to minimise the risk of your rental property and to ensure you have a stress free tenancy. Only after a
MARKETING - Upon instruction with Oyster Properties your home will immediately benefit from our full marketing package. We have our own website and advertise on the UK’s most prominent property portals, we will also call the relevant applicants from our vast database even before your property comes to the market ensuring maximum exposure which will minimize the length of time your property stands vacant and maximize your profits.
BOARDS - Our prominent and very distinctive boards are a fantastic and vital way of generating high quality enquiries, literally inviting tenants looking for properties in particular areas. Their unique design specifically complements our marketing and branding strategy.
OPENING HOURS - We are open six days a week Monday to Saturday and in certain circumstances we can accommodate out of hours appointments.
OFFICE LOCATION - Our Head Office is located on Honeypot Lane, Stanmore HA7 and our new branch at Bowes Road, Arnos Grove, London, N11. Our eye catching modern offices have been refurbished to a very high standard attracting quality landlords and tenants. Our prominent window displays offer further opportunity to promote your property in the best possible manner.
RENTAL PAPERWORK - It is vital that the tenancy runs smoothly from the very start so it is essential that a professional agreement is in place. The relevant paperwork will be drawn up by us based on our years of experience in lettings therefore ensuring all the necessary documents are signed by both parties.
Our advice with all tenancies to have a full and thorough inventory carried out which will not only note the contents of your property but also its condition at the start and end of the tenancy. This is now required as essential evidence in proving any damage or similar claim against a tenants deposit. Oyster Properties will happily arrange this on your behalf.
ADVICE FOR LANDLORDS
Oyster properties will commit to keeping you informed of your legal obligations as a Landlord as it can be difficult to keep up to date with all the recent changes in legislation.
- Gas equipment including boilers and ovens must be inspected annually by a Gas Safe (formerly known as CORGI) registered engineer and the safety record given to the tenant. Any electrical equipment must be safe too, and furniture must be fire resistant.
Please see our Landlord Guide to Gas Safety - Any deposit taken by a Landlord as from 6th April 2007 must be safeguarded by one of three Government approved schemes. Landlords can choose which scheme they wish to use and must safeguard each deposit and inform the tenant which scheme has been used with 14 days of receiving the deposit. This is why it is essential that an inventory is compiled as mentioned previously.
From 1st October 2008 it’s a legal requirement for all Landlords to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their property before it can be let. Please read our EPC guide for further information. A valid EPC will last for 10 years and can be used for multiple tenancies within that period.
Oyster Properties is able to arrange for an EPC to be carried out on your behalf in order to avoid any delays in letting your property. Please see our EPC guide.
OUR LETTING SERVICES
Our Lettings services range from a Tenant Finding Service right through to a Full Management contract. Please find below an outline of our services:
| LET ONLY | RENT COLLECTION | FULL MANAGEMENT | |
| Market Your Property | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accompanied Viewings | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reference the Tenant | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Draw up the tenancy agreement and serve a Section 21 notice | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collect the first month’s rent in advance and a deposit | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Monthly Rent Collection - a statement will be sent to you each month by post, fax or e-mail | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Arranging deposit protection to comply with current legislation | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Chase late rent payments | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Transfer of utilities | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Free market appraisal | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negotiate Tenancy Renewals | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Dealing with any matters arising at the property that need attention | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Routine Maintenance | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Gas and Electrical safety inspections | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Arranging an EPC Certificate | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Property Inspections | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Tenant Check-In | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Tenant Check-Out | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
WHY USE A LETTING AGENT?
Landlords and Homeowners often have full time jobs as well as buy to let investments, it is therefore frequently the case that with so many demands on their time they cannot always be available to handle day-to-day events connected with their property.
If this sounds like you then using Oyster Properties offering full property management could be an essential and economical way of ensuring the smooth running of a tenancy, while protecting the property and still making a profit.
Whilst letting your property through a specialist letting agent is not strictly necessary, Oyster Properties will take some of the effort out of the job of finding and selecting tenants, drawing up tenancy documents, and the day-to-day maintenance of the property.
Because you are quite literally placing your property in our hands, the choice of a letting and managing agent is as important as in choosing any other professional such as a solicitor or accountant.
Unfortunately demand for property to rent has encouraged many firms and individuals to set up as letting agents many of them are completely unregulated and have little or no experience, do not operate bonded client accounts or are bound by any code of practice. Remember, as the landlord you may be personally liable for any mistakes made by your agent. So choose carefully.
FULL MANAGEMENT
If you’re a Landlord that resides overseas or are planning to work overseas/ out of the area or maybe you simply don’t want to deal with the day to day involvement of the tenancy then our full management service is suited for you.
How much time can you spend each day dealing with tenant’s problems and maintenance issues? With our Full Management service we will deal with them on your behalf and ensure full care of your property.
If there is a problem with your property we work with a number of reliable and reputable tradesmen that we have used for many years. We continually check and monitor them to make sure that our Landlords get a fair deal. Alternatively, if you have a particular tradesman that you use then we can arrange to work with them.
Please contact us for list of further services we offer separately.
MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING SERVICES
Oyster Properties also offer additional services for our clients which can range from general maintenance to redecoration of your property.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
- Gas safety checks and EPC’s (Energy Performance Certificate)
- New boiler installation, servicing or replacement.
- PAT test (Portable Appliance Test)
- Electrical inspection, testing and reporting.
- Re-wiring.
- Professional cleaning.
- Gardening services.
- Painting and decorating services
- General maintenance
Please contact us if you require any further services not listed as we are happy to discuss any potential project you may have.
