Page 10 - Hurst Brochure

Landlord’s guide to renting a property...
Valuation
The first step for most people is to understand the true rental value of the property they wish to let, its individual strengths and the likely timescales they may be looking at based on current market performance. Our locally based, experienced property valuers offer a free, no obligation factual and accurate appraisal of the current market value of your property. We will also advise on compliance and legislation issues and any preparation that may be required prior to letting.
Instructing the Agent
With the valuation completed you are now in a position to instruct us to market the property, whether that be now or in the future. Once you verify your desire to go ahead the valuer will organise an appointment with you to professionally photograph your property, walk you through all the necessary paperwork, regulatory requirements and our marketing agreement. Bearing in mind the importance of presentation, we will give you the guidance, if necessary, on how to present each room to ensure our wide angle camera captures and present your property at its very best.
Marketing
Once you have instructed us by signing our marketing agreement and photographs have been taken, you will then be in a position to receive prospective tenants. Applicants who view your property are all accompanied by one of our trained negotiators, taking the focus off of you and onto the property. As an established agency we always have an extensive list of tenants that we will present your property to immediately, so viewings can and often do, occur very quickly after instructions are received. Our marketing is both professional and extensive. Listed below are just a few examples of the type of marketing and coverage we offer:-
Property Showrooms - Still today we find that the majority of tenants when ready to rent will make the effort to come and visit us to discuss their property requirements. We ensure our properties stand out from the competition by working from accessible, prominent, centrally located premises in all our catchment areas.
Websites - The moment your details are prepared they will be uploaded to the internet and visible to all online tenants immediately. We are on multiple websites including the three largest; Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime Location.
To Let Board - This is the most traditional, simple and effective marketing tool ensuring visibility to all tenants that are active in your immediate area 24 hours a day.
Feedback
We pride ourselves on our conscientious lettings management and will keep you regularly appraised of your property’s performance in the market place. We will also relay as promptly as possible the feedback from potential tenants who have viewed your property.
Offers
All offers we receive will be qualified and promptly relayed to you. Our trained negotiators working on your behalf will then help guide and advise you as to the way forward with a view to always achieving for you, our client, the strongest tenant at the best possible price.
Let Agreed
Once a rental price has been agreed the tenant will complete and sign a Tenancy Application form. We provide a full after let service and will therefore now begin chasing through the transaction and advising you and the tenants of the relevant steps you need to take, giving guidance and advice where appropriate. The let at this stage is still subject to satisfactory references and credit scoring conducted via Rent4Sure, an outsourced referencing agent.
Inventory
We advise all of our landlords to use our outsourced inventory company, Hinch Property Management Services Ltd, to produce a comprehensive inventory, in order to professionally document the exact condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. This is critical as deposits are held in protected schemes which require evidence based reports in order to find in a landlord’s favour if dilapidation/damage occurs. This is a one off charge.
Referencing
We are always trying to find the strongest tenants and to this end all our tenants are comprehensively referenced.
Tenancy Agreement
This is the legally binding agreement containing all ongoing terms and conditions that will exist for the duration of the tenancy. This will be sent/emailed over to you for approval and signature (subject to your tenant passing referencing).
Rent and Deposit
Your tenant will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the property. Rent is to be paid monthly in advance, commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter by standing order. The deposit, being the equivalent of five weeks rent, is held for the full tenancy against loss, damage or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy. As members of the Deposit Protection Service all security deposits are sent away and held in accordance with Financial Conduct Authority client money regulations. It is returnable at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property. If a tenant does not agree with the findings of the check out they can put the deposit into dispute with the Deposit Protection Service. It is at this point the independent inventory becomes invaluable in securing any claim in your favour.
Check In
Our external contractors Hinch will arrange to meet your tenant at the property, go through the inventory with them, take meter readings and check them in. Congratulations, your property is now officially Let.
“I would award the Lettings Department of Hursts five stars. Highly recommended!”