Documents to download

Checklist for Landlords Services and Fees

We offer a range of services that can be tailored to meet individual needs including:

If you are a landlord and would like the security of peace of mind of knowing your property is being looked after properly, we can help you. We offer Comprehensive Letting and Management Packages as well as a range of enhanced property services including gardening, maintenance and renovation services that can all be tailored to meet your individual needs.

If you need tenants for a property, whether it be your own home or an investment property, Colston Lettings can take care of the whole rental process for you and are confident that we can provide you with the best possible service at all times. From simply introducing you to prospective tenants to managing the whole process we will supply the best service to suit you.

Free Rental Assessments

We will visit your property and provide you with an honest appraisal and realistic rental valuation.  We will advise you on the presentation of your property, and any safety and furnishing requirements. We will also discuss with you your tenant requirements; for example are you happy to let to people with children, with pets or people on low incomes?

Marketing

Internet: Your property will be advertised with photographs and will have far reaching exposure on the web. It will be marketed on the Colston Lettings website and also Zoopla.co.uk.

Advertising

Colston Lettings advertises in various publications in the area including local newspapers. We regularly update our available property list which we hand out to prospective tenants who call in to our office daily. We also have an extensive mailing and contact list including businesses in the area who we regularly update with current rental availability.

Prominent Advertising Boards

We recommend that you allow a board to be erected outside your property as many people drive round an area looking for suitable properties before they approach any agents.  Our prominent red white and blue For Rent boards are a useful advertising tool for your property.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Since October 2008 Landlords have been required to provide an EPC for the property prior to marketing. The certificate gives prospective tenants information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a property. The EPC must be produced by an accredited Energy Assessor and Colston Lettings can arrange this on your behalf.

Viewings

All prospective tenants are accompanied when viewing your property. Should they wish to proceed with the letting they will be fully referenced by a referencing agency including credit and employment checks.

Safety Certificates

It is a legal requirement that a gas safety inspection is carried out annually by a registered Gas Safe installer and a landlord’s safety certificate issued.  Colston Lettings can arrange this for you if required.  We also recommend that an electrical installation test is carried out by an NICEIC approved electrical contactor.  Colston Lettings can also arrange this for you if requested. Any electric and gas appliances must comply with any applicable safety regulations and should be clean, serviced and in good working order.

Insurance & Mortgage

You need to confirm with your insurer that your policy covers your property for letting.  We can provide you with information leaflets regarding suitable insurance.  Your tenant will be responsible for insuring their own contents. If your property is mortgaged you must obtain the appropriate consent from the mortgage provider and provide proof thereof.
Utilities and Service transfers You are responsible for all utility payments until a tenant commences a tenancy and in void periods.  If we are managing the property, Colston Lettings will take meter readings and inform the suppliers of the change in occupier. Telephone You will need to inform BT or your usual supplier before you leave and the tenant will need to contact them to arrange to take the line on.

Keys

You need to supply a set of keys per tenant plus one set for Colston Lettings.  All locks at the property should be in good working order and the keys should work smoothly.

Schedule of condition

Colston Lettings will prepare a schedule before the tenant moves is. The tenant will be asked to check and return a copy to us and this will be used as the guide for routine inspections and the final inspection when the tenant vacates at the end of the tenancy.

Bond/Deposits 

All tenants pay a bond usually the equivalent of one month’s rent.  In accordance with current regulations this will be held throughout the tenancy term by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS)  www.depositprotection.com  At the end of the tenancy deductions will be made for rent arrears, damage to the property or the contents and also if the property has not been left clean and tidy including any garden areas.  Should you allow pets at the property an additional pet deposit will be payable by the tenant and a pet schedule will be added to the tenancy agreement.

Rent and Accounting

Rent is payable monthly in advance and once Colston Lettings receive the payment we will transfer it to your account less our agreed fees and any payments we have made on your behalf.

Overseas Landlords

If you are living abroad you need to speak to the Inland Revenue regarding any tax liability from your rental income. You may need to apply for a tax exemption certificate as without this the IR demand that the income tax is deducted by us from any rental payments made to you.

Income Tax

As any rent received is considered taxable income by the Inland Revenue. We recommend that all prospective Landlords seek professional independent financial advice from a suitably accredited advisor.

Maintenance

As managing agents we will arrange for any routine maintenance to be carried out at the property as required. Naturally we will not authorise extensive work without your authority however any action required to make your property safe will be taken immediately.

Garden Services

If you would like us to arrange for the garden to be kept tidy, including grass cutting, during vacant periods we can do so.  During any tenancy it will be the responsibility of the tenant to maintain the garden if you provide them with the necessary equipment to do so.

Inspections

We carry out regular routine inspections of the property to ensure that your tenants are looking after it and keeping it in a satisfactory manner.  We will update you of any issues arising from our visits.

Legal Notices

As your agents we will serve all required notices during the tenancy on your behalf.
Tenancy Renewal At the end of the initial tenancy period we can arrange to draw up new agreements on your behalf, having discussed with you and the tenant the best way forward.

Queries

Please contact us to discuss your letting requirements we will be happy to assist and advise you.