Are you considering a buy to let property? Our expert team at Church Robinson have the local knowledge to show you the hottest rental spots, advise you on potential rental yields and locate the type of property you’re after. It might be important that it's near transport links, at the heart of the best local amenities or near some planned infrastructure, we can advise you about any new buy to let investment opportunities before they’re even listed online.
If you’re a first-time landlord:
The process of acquiring a buy to let property is slightly different to purchasing a typical residential home. The purchase is still part of a conveyancing process but some of the charges and expectations are different. Also consider that being a landlord means you have legal obligations to fulfil. These include things such as carrying out regular safety checks and providing a certain level of living standard throughout the tenancy. With Church Robinson, we're on hand to walk you through every step of the process and to help you with all the rules and regulations you’ll need to adhere to ensuring you remain compliant.
Here are just some of the reasons local landlords choose us:
- We have vast experience in supporting people in a variety of circumstances in becoming a landlord, such as through a new career choice or inheritance.
- If lettings is a new area for you, our lettings specialists will guide you through every process of becoming a landlord and making sure your property is legally compliant.
- For every new property we take on, we carry out thorough rental appraisals and valuations to help landlords understand the levels of management required.
- We offer a wide range of services including Buy-to-Let services to Property Management and can help you with the processes for each of these.
- We always put the landlord's requirements first, advising on a number of queries and eliminating the daily hassles you may experience.
- We are members of ARLA Propertymark as well as the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and have won numerous awards for our services for lettings services.
ARLA Propertymark Members
As members of ARLA Propertymark, our company:
- Is backed by a Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme *
- Has experienced and trained professionals who are required to undertake regular training
- Keeps up to date with complex legislative changes and best practice
- Submits independently audited financial accounts to Propertymark
- Is checked to ensure we meet all legal obligations
- Adheres to a nationally recognised Code of Practice
- Holds professional indemnity insurance
* As a Propertymark protected organisation, our Client Money Handling Procedures are covered in Propertymark’s Conduct and Membership Rules at https://www.propertymark.co.uk/media/1045366/conduct-and-membership-rules.pdf
and our membership certificate can be viewed HERE
No Deposit Guarantee Scheme - Security & Protection for landlords
We are now working with Flatfair to offer a no deposit option for tenants. This can replace a traditional tenancy deposit, giving landlords the same cover and protection as having a tenancy deposit in the bank, whilst making renting more affordable for tenants.
Tenants pay the equivalent of one week’s rent for a policy, which is non-refundable and provides you with the equivalent of a 10 week tenancy deposit (tenants can only pay a 5 week deposit on any assured shorthold tenancy under the current legislation). Tenants remain fully accountable for any damages or unpaid rents.
In the event of any financial loss or damage due to you, this is settled by the tenant or if they dispute the claim the evidence is sent for expert adjudication. If found in your favour, Flatfair will settle the claim with you and recover the costs from the tenants directly, along with any associated costs. Non-payment by the tenant at this stage may impact on the tenant's credit history.
Why would landlords choose a Flatfair no deposit scheme instead of a traditional deposit?
- Speeds up the rental process
Flatfair helps tenants reduce the upfront cost of renting, which can help speed up the process and reduce void periods. - Provides security & protection
Flatfair provides 10 weeks cover, twice the amount of a traditional deposit. - Helps to attract a wider audience
By giving you the potential to attract a wider audience of tenants, you can increase demand and reduce the time taken to rent. - Supports accountable tenants
Tenants remain fully accountable for looking after your property and making rental payments, with us only making payment to you in the event of a fair claim at the end of the tenancy. Claim disputes are settled by The Dispute Service (TDS) and we will pay you within two working days. - Reduces paperwork & hassle
A Flatfair no deposit policy is not a traditional deposit, so it doesn’t need to be registered with one of the deposit protection schemes, which can save landlords time and money.
OUR LANDLORD FEES
We believe in being completely upfront regarding our fees - so you can manage the cost effectively and don't have to worry about any hidden charges along the way.
All fees shown below are inclusive of VAT.
All services are entered into on a Sole Agency arrangement for 12 weeks
Rent Collection Service – 10.8% incl. VAT
Premier Rent Collection Service – 13.2% incl. VAT
Full Managed Service – 15.6% incl. VAT
Premier Managed Service – 18% incl. VAT
Each tenancy is subject to a set-up fee equivalent to 60% of the first month’s rent Inc. VAT and a deposit protection administration fee of £3.60 per month incl. VAT.
A referencing charge will be applied to your account at the cost of £48.00 incl. VAT for each tenant or guarantor named on the tenancy agreement.
Inventory and check out costs will be applicable for each tenancy; this includes updating the inventory if required. The cost for the inventory is taken at the start of the tenancy and the cost for the check-out is taken once notice is served towards the end. These costs include VAT and vary dependent upon the size of the property and whether it is Furnished or Unfurnished.
|
Inventory & Schedule of condition report |
Studio |
1 Bed |
2 Beds |
3 Beds |
4 Beds |
5 Beds |
|
Unfurnished |
£117.60 |
£117.60 |
£151.20 |
£176.40 |
£226.80 |
£285.60 |
|
Furnished |
£142.80 |
£142.80 |
£201.60 |
£252.00 |
£327.60 |
£411.60 |
Additional Charges
Tenancy extension/renewal - £90 incl. VAT.
Providing additional printed copies of the inventory or tenancy agreement £36 incl. VAT.
Checking and making any alterations requested by the Landlord’s solicitor to our standard Tenancy Agreement: £60.00 incl. VAT per hour or part of an hour.
Visits during a void period using our caretaking service £72.00 incl. VAT per visit on the basis of one visit per week to take place during office hours.
Cost to hire electric/oil fired heaters when tenants are without heating is subject to a fee of £12.00 incl.VAT per heater per day.
Preparation of documentation for County Court proceedings of TDS adjudication will be £120.00 incl. VAT and attendance at court or any tribunal on the Landlord’s behalf will be charged at £240.00 incl. VAT per half day.
Duplicate/copy statements can be provided to the Landlord or accountant for a fee of £12.00 incl. VAT per statement or £120.00 incl. VAT for all statements covering the tax year.
Arranging a residential Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) £100.00 incl.VAT.
Jones Robinson Active Care offers complete peace of mind throughout the course of the tenancy and depending on your heating system is available at a cost between £34.99 & £37.99 incl.VAT.
If a tenant(s) introduced to the property by Church Robinson or Jones Robinson enters into a binding contract to purchase the property a fee of 1.86% incl. VAT of the purchase price is payable to the relevant branch within 10 days of the completion of the sale.