Landlord Information - George Webb Finn - Estate Agents in Sittingbourne, Kent

Landlord Information

Traditional values with a modern approach

George Webb Finn is one of Kent’s most experienced and dedicated letting agents, having been assisting landlords since 1840.

We are able to provide a range of letting and management services based on the experience, skills and expertise of our letting team. As members of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Association of Residential Letting Agents, you can be assured that we have a detailed understanding of the lettings and management sectors and will ensure that you are given the best possible service.

With our well appointed office in Sittingbourne, we attract tenants locally and nationwide. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, professional service which is second to none.

We combine extensive local knowledge with a detailed understanding of the intricacies and legal pitfalls of renting residential property. We handle a wide range of properties across Kent from small studios to large detached homes.

We value personal contact and combine this with the latest technology enabling us to rent your property quicker, for the best price, then ensure it is managed professionally and correctly during the course of the tenancy (let only available if required). Our service is designed to take as much stress out of the whole process as is possible, both for landlords and tenants.

Market Appraisal
If you have a property you are considering letting we would be delighted to hear from you. A member of our team will be happy to meet with you to discuss your requirements and advise you on the likely rental income. We will also recommend any work or alterations that will maximise the rental income and explain to you the various legal obligations and requirements of landlords.

Would you like to arrange a FREE market appraisal?
We can be contacted on 01795 470556 or click here to fill in our Valuation Request Form.

Why Choose an ARLA Agent?

ARLA leads the industry in setting and regulating the highest standards in the industry and demands certain levels of professionalism and commitment to customer service from its membership.

ARLA members are required to work within a robust Code of Practice, which covers the key stages in letting and managing a property. There are comprehensive membership Byelaws which include compliance with such issues as handling and accounting for Clients’ money; the mandatory ARLA Client Money Protection Bonding Scheme; Professional Indemnity Insurance; Dealing with Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

ARLA members are required to employ professionally qualified staff recognised by the Association.

ARLA keeps it members up to date with changes in legislation and provides wide-ranging training and guidance to help members understand and interpret all aspects of letting and managing a property

Preparing Your Property
The better your property is presented in terms of décor and furnishings (if furnished) the quicker it will let and the higher the rental price achieved. With a fiercely competitive market, there is much to choose from and a property in a poor state will be low down on any prospective tenants list.

The following may help:

The entire property should be clean, well-aired and the garden tidy
Preferably walls should be neutral in colour, ideally cream.
Floor covering neutral, whether carpet or laminate.
Window dressings whether blinds or curtains should also be in neutral colours.
Kitchens and bathrooms should be clean and modern. Showers are a must.
Irrespective of furnished or unfurnished the kitchen should come with a minimum of cooker/oven and hob.
If the property is to be let furnished any items left in the property should be of suitable quality and in good condition
Animals and their odours should be eliminated

Marketing Your Property
George Webb Finn believes in making use of every available means of marketing to achieve the best rental income for our client’s properties.

Property Particulars: Unlike most other agents we will produce a set of individual property particulars which will incorporate a selection of colour photographs and floor plans which are sent to applicants on our database and from enquiries.

Advertising: We are committed to advertising every property using full colour photographs in a selection of local newspapers to ensure the widest possible local coverage.

Websites: Your property will be advertised on the George Webb Finn, primelocation.com and rigntmove.co.uk websites which attract more than 5 million users per month, guaranteeing your property receives the widest possible national coverage

To Let Board: We will erect one of our distinctive To Let boards outside of your property which will provide 24 hour advertising to any possible passing interest.

Minimising your Risk
In the past, if your tenant stopped paying their rent, you as a landlord, were faced with the twin issues of having to cover any mortgage payments associated with the property and taking the tenant to court for non-payment of rent and possibly eviction.

Today we are able to arrange, on request, and insurance based rent guarantee and legal expenses warranty against the loss of rent and legal expenses up to £15,000. Whilst rarely required due to our stringent referencing process, this cover will give you that extra peace of mind and is, of course, of real benefit when things do go wrong.

Our Services
George Webb Finn believe in treating all of our clients as individuals with specific needs, as such we are pleased to offer a ranges of lettings services that can be adapted to suit your individual requirements. Below is a summary of our most popular lettings packages.

Tenant Find Only
This service is ideally suited to the experienced landlord and includes finding a tenant and negotiating a rent as follows:

Preparation and distribution of property particulars.
Internet and local press advertising.
Erection of a To Let board.
Accompanied viewings.
Referencing prospective tenants.
Prepare and arrange signature of tenancy agreement.
Preparation of Inventory and Schedule of Condition.
Demand and collect first months rent and deposit.
Registration of Deposit with The Dispute Service.
Notification of local authority and utility companies of change in occupier.

Tenant Find and Rent Collection
This is an intermediate service which is suited to landlords who live locally and are happy to deal with the day to day issues relating to the tenancy. The services includes the above plus:

Collect rent and issue quarterly or monthly statements to landlord for the duration of the Tenancy.
Serving of Notice at the end of the tenancy
Carrying out check out inspection at the end of the tenancy, collecting keys, ensuring property is secure and negotiating the return of the deposit.
Notification of local authority and utility companies of change in occupier.

Full Management
A comprehensive service for landlords who do not wish to be involved in the day to day management of their properties, this service includes all of the above plus:

Deal with day-to-day maintenance matters and repairs.
Arrange necessary gas and electrical inspections and certificates.
Regular property inspections.

Landlord's Responsibilities

Mortgage: You must have consent from your lender to rent out your property.

Lease: Ensure the head lease (if the property is leasehold) allows you to sub-let and gain consent from the freeholder or managing agent if necessary.

Insurance: It is a legal responsibility to have the building insured. Whilst contents insurance is not legally required, we would recommend it along with liability insurance cover.

Keys: We will need a minimum of 2 full sets of keys.
Energy Performance Certificates: It is a legal requirement for Landlords to supply a Energy Performance Certificate to the tenant prior to the commencement of the tenancy.

Information: A file containing instructions for all appliances within the property must be supplied to the Tenant

Safety Regulations

Electrical Safety Regulations
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 require any person supplying electrical equipment to ensure that it is safe.

Examples include:

Cookers
Kettles
Toasters
Washing machines
Immersion heaters

George Webb Finn recommends that electrical appliances are inspected on an annual basis and a certificate kept on file. Fixed wiring should be checked at least every 10 years and prior to the property being first let.

There are criminal penalties for landlords who do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.

Gas Safety Regulations
It is important that all Landlords are aware of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994.

Only CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered engineers are allowed to carry out work to any gas appliance or fitting.
All Gas appliances must be checked annually by a CORGI registered engineer and a certificate issued.
Tenants must receive a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate at the commencement of the Tenancy and within 28 days of renewal.
Gas appliances with open flues must not be installed in a bedroom, bathroom or shower room, or any other room used for sleeping.
Instructions should be provided to the Tenant for any installed gas appliance and a key available where the gas meter is installed in a lockable meter box.
Specific safety checks and tests must be carried out after any work has been carried out.

There are criminal penalties for landlords that do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.

Furniture and Furnishings Regulations
With effect from 1st March 1993 all landlords of residential property must comply with the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1993). This requires that upholstered furniture made after 1950 must be fire resistant and have passed an ignitability test.

This regulation applies to:

Sofas.
Beds including mattresses and headboards.
Sofa beds and futons.
Scatter cushions & seat pads (eg on dining chairs).
Pillows.
Loose covers for furniture.
Garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling.

It does not apply to:

Furniture made before 1950 as materials used before this date are not considered hazardous.
Bed clothes including duvets.
Loose covers for mattresses.
Pillow cases.
Curtains.
Carpets.

There are criminal penalties for landlords who do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.