Step by step guide to letting your property
As an established Torquay letting agent with years of experience, we have done all the thinking for you and prepared this handy checklist. There are several key steps involved in the letting process – whether you’re a first time investor, or a landlord well versed in these matters, this quick reference may be of help.
1) Valuation by Torquay lettings agent
As an established Torquay lettings agent with many years of experience in the residential market, we will be able to give you an accurate rental valuation of your property.
This figure will be based on many governing factors such as: current demand; the property’s location and overall condition; its proximity to transport links, shops, schools etc; and what other comparable properties have recently let for in your local area.
We can answer any questions you may have regarding our service or the letting process itself, including advice on whether to let your property furnished or unfurnished, as well as the permissions you may need to obtain in order to let your property.
2) Marketing
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression! With superb digital photography and well presented particulars complete with colour floorplans, we can now begin marketing your property.
As the internet is now the first port of call for the majority of prospective tenants, in addition to featuring your property on johnlake.co.uk we will upload it to the leading property portals, including Rightmove, Zoopla, Primelocation and Onthemarket.
With local press advertising, welcoming premises and a friendly, informative approach to attract new applicants, our team of pro-active, energetic staff are busy matching applicants to properties from our extensive database. Social media has become part of many peoples’ everyday life and is often a search tool for a new home. We actively promote both our portfolio and general business on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram whilst continuing to utilise new social trends as they evolve.
3) Viewings
Once we have qualified an applicant we then book a viewing at your property.
We will point out the benefits of your particular property and should be able to answer any questions that the tenants may have regarding its location, local amenities and transport links. All we ask is that the property be tidy and in good order, so that we can show it at its very best.
4) The right tenant. The three P’s
We understand that you want the right tenant for your property. So, even before we would consider proposing a tenant, after a viewing we make sure that they were prompt, polite, and presentable – three key indicators that we believe will make a perfect tenant for your property.
5) References
We will undertake thorough checks on suitable tenants and employ an external, specialist agency to obtain references on your behalf. They will contact the tenant’s employer and current/previous landlord (if applicable).
Each person over the age of 18 who will be living in the property will need to be referenced. Should the references prove to be unsatisfactory it will not be possible to proceed further with the let.
6) Safety checks
As a landlord you are responsible for the safety of your tenant. There are a number of checks and certificates that you will need to have in place before letting your property.
- Soft furnishings must comply with Fire Safety Regulations.
- You must have a gas safety certificate for any gas appliances, undertaken by someone Gas Safe registered and conducted annually.
- You should ensure that all electrical goods are safe to use and are supplied with operating instructions.
- If you are in any doubt about your responsibilities we are here to help and advise.
7) Preparing the property
We always recommend a thorough professional clean of a property prior to renting it out – it sets a standard to be met at the end of the tenancy.
We suggest cleaning all carpets, curtains and upholstery, kitchen appliances and cupboards inside and out. Walls should be in good order and outstanding repairs should have been carried out. If applicable, the garden should also be tidy.
8) Inventory
Before a tenancy begins, we recommend that an inventory be carried out – not just to catalogue the contents, but also to formally assess the condition of your property prior to letting. We use a professional independent clerk to ensure impartial and objective inventories, minimising the risk of any misunderstanding and dispute.
The security deposit would prove useless for damages if no written evidence could be provided to support a claim.
9) Contracts, deposit and completion
With all relevant paperwork signed and the deposit plus the first month’s rent received in clear funds, we will then release the keys to the new tenant. We will ask the tenant to sign a standing order to be forwarded to their bank for future rent collection.
For all our managed properties, by law we protect all tenants deposits under a Custodial Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme operated by MyDeposits, whilst also members of Propertymark’s Client Money Protection Scheme (CMP), providing peace of mind for landlord and tenant alike. If we manage the property we arrange this for you.
You can view a copy of our PropertyMark Client Money Protection Certificate here.
Download Brochures
Letting and management services and costs.
The following brochures outline our residential lettings and management services and associated costs. Please use the form below if you would like to request a FREE rental valuation of your property.
