Friday, April 24, 2015

What to Remember in Leasing Agreements

Are you planning to lease your property? If so, then you must learn the things to consider in putting a rental agreement together. A rental agreement is a set of rules that both the landlord and the tenant agree to follow in their rental relationship. This legal document contains rules and agreement such as how long the tenant will be occupying the property and the amount of rent due each month. Here are some of the information and agreements that need to be included on the rental agreement:




Name of all the Tenants

All of the tenants should sign the rental agreement. This makes each tenant legally responsible to all the terms of the property.

Limits on Occupancy

The agreement should also indicate who lives in your property; all those who signed the lease and if applicable, their minor children. This guarantees you as a landlord that your property is safe and housed by the people you have screened and approved.

Term of Tenancy

Every rental document is required to indicate whether it is a rental agreement or a fixed-term lease. Rental agreements commonly run from month-to-month while leases typically last a year.



Rent

You should also specify the amount of rent, when it is due and how is it paid. This will help you and the occupant(s) avoid confusion and disputes.



Monday, April 20, 2015

What a Property Manager Can Do for You

Investing in real estate has many benefits, but deciding to place a home for rent is a task that has many responsibilities attached to it. Becoming a landlord for your own lettings comes with a lot of hard work and, sad to say, headaches. From dealing with rude tenants to fixing minor household problems, these seemingly small tasks can pile up to become burdensome. In cases where you own more than one property, an estate agent can happily endorse you to an accredited property manager.




Hassle Free Lettings

Property professionals that have been accredited by the right organisations (SAFEAgent and ARLA) are dedicated to helping both landlords and tenants. These are some obligations property managers should uphold:

  • Managing everything from the smallest repairs to full refurbishment.
  • Help prepare properties for the rental market.
  • Introduce you to the best contractors in the area.
  • Arrange various safety certificates such as: gas and electrics.
  • Manage the property throughout the tenancy.



A Property Manager’s Work is Never Done!

Entrusting your home to a property manager ensures that all your worries will be put to rest. These ARLA trained professionals will care for your property and give you updates during routine maintenance checks. A full inspection report that includes photos will be handed to you by the managers as soon as possible. The best thing about hiring an estate agent as a property manager is the lack of unnecessary downtime between lets. Don’t waste the opportunity to put your property on the market. It the hands of property managers, your investment will not go to waste.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Remembering the 3 P’s of Property Management

Hiring a property manager or an estate agent plays an important role in your property purchase. If you are planning to hire one, you should find the best of the best. And what better way to get the best candidates than to know the golden rules that they must adhere to? An effective and efficient property manager must possess the 3 P’s of property management: Philosophize, Prioritize and Personalize.



Philosophize

This is what sets a good property manager apart from other property managers. It is not about how a property manager sends his platitudes to his client; rather this is how he manages the process in his own style, his own view. A good property manager knows how to listen and has an objective. Having an open mind also helps a property manager in handling the whole process.

Prioritize

Another important trait is the ability to make each second count. A good property manager must make his own time table and plan that will exhaust all the time that he has. This also means using resources effectively for research, planning and so on.



Personalize

Finally, a good property manager must learn how to engage interaction and make a connection with all the people the he works with and works for. This will make the property manager more knowledgeable in working with various types of people.


Friday, April 3, 2015

Requirements Needed to Rent with Finlay Brewer

Most estate agents do their best to make the letting process go faster and less complicated for their future renters. In order to help the estate agent and yourself, there are a few documents and other requirements that you should prepare in advance. The more prepared you are, the sooner you will get to move into your new flat.



Money Matters

These are the following payments every tenant is expected to meet:

  • 6 week deposit – this initial deposit will be held against any damage that occurs within the tenancy period. Any dilapidations and damages done will be deducted once the inventory check out report has been completed.
  • 1 month rent advance – weekly rent is multiplied by 52 (weeks in a calendar year) and divided by 12. This plus the deposit must be paid using clear funds before the tenancy starts. Please be advised that personal or company cheques are not accepted. 
  • Admin Fees – A £150.00 per person (occupier) will be charged, this fee includes an independent credit search on each applicant. 
  • Holding deposit – to make sure that the property you are interested in does not appear back on the market a 1 week of the 6 week deposit is required.

Official Documents

Have these following documents ready to avoid inconveniences and delays:

  • Proof of Address – A utility bill or bank statement that is addressed to you from 3 – 6 months ago is required for the credit search. 
  • Photo ID – For UK and EU nationals, a photo ID needs to be provided. 
  • Passport – For foreign applicants, a passport showing UK right of residence is needed for proper identification. 



These are some basic requirements needed by the estate agent to duly process your application to let a property. Completing the documentation and payment process at a timely manner can help you in calling West London your new home.