You should notify your Building Society or Bank if the property is mortgaged and you are thinking of letting the property. It is usually one of the conditions of your mortgage that you apply for permission to sublet the property.

We also recommend that your Building and Contents Insurers are advised of your plans as they too may need altering to cover a third part residing at the property. (We can assist in recommending specialist insurance companies dealing with insurance for rented properties. Please speak to a member of staff for more information).

Leasehold Properties

It is also wise to check that if the property is a lease-hold, you confirm with the freeholder that there are no restrictions or covenant which prevent you from letting the property and the Tenants must adhere to during the Tenancy period.

Non UK Resident Landlord

If you will be residing outside the UK we are bound under the Taxes Management Act 1970, Section 78 and 83 to assess you at the basic rate of income tax (variable) due from rents we collect on your behalf if you are not "self assessing" your own tax.

We should receive a letter of confirmation from your Accountant and Tax Office confirming that they accept liability for payment of your tax. (Please see your Accountant for self-assessment advice).

Alternatively, we can instruct a Tax Specialist or Tax Adviser who can give you advice or can be employed by you to take care of your tax affairs whilst abroad. (See our Terms of Business).

Keys

It is important to have several keys cut for the property, enough for each adult Tenant due to move into your property plus a set for our Management Department (if applicable) for security and access if required.

Legal Costs

Should there at any time be a need to take legal action against the Tenant for any reason, the Landlord will be responsible for this action plus any necessary costs incurred. For managed property, assistance will be given to the Landlord with regards to documentation and administration with reference to the tenancy.

Transfer of Services

If you have employed us as your Managing Agents the only service that we are not able to transfer for you is the telephone. BT or cable will only deal with the subscriber and not with a third party. Please, therefore, arrange transfer on the day the Tenants take occupation if possible. Your assistance will also be welcome with any final meter readings or notification of services.

If we are not managing the property, you will need to arrange the following: -

Gas and Electricity

Inform them of the date of transfer to the new Tenants including their names, the meter reading and your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.

Water Rates

Water Rates will become the Tenant's responsibility in most cases, but please advise them of your new forwarding address. If your water charges are on meter the tenant is responsible and a meter reading and date of transfer needs to be supplied to the Authority together with your forwarding address.

Council Tax

Once again this is payable by the Tenant during the tenancy. Please advise the Local Authority the date of transfer to the new Tenant and of your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.

Telephone

It is best to arrange the transfer for the actual day that your Tenants will be moving in. If there is a break between subscribers, there can be a charge depending on the length of time that the service has been disconnected.

Mail Redirection

The Post Office offers a service to redirect your mail which we recommend you arrange prior to vacating the property for the term of the tenancy.

You should also inform your bank, employers, friends and family who are likely to write to you and inform them of your new address.

The Services

1. Letting Service
2. Letting & Rent Collection
3. Full Management

Landlords Checklist