Landlord Information

We are not only offering a property management service, we are offering a strategic relationship where we can develop and enhance our services and work ethics. We aim to offer a successful and applicable journey that fulfils your property’s needs, which allows us to portray your property in the best possible light against the current market and competition. Our services stems over and beyond the generic estate agents – landlord, tenants and agents relationship. We are a forward thinking company who have developed themselves in working hard and acknowledging that developing a network of relationships are the way forward in building a successful business and proving the services required of us.

Moving Inn aims to provide effective and structured experience for our clients; this can be in the form of a tenant, landlord, solicitors, an estate agent, council, housing association etc.

Our primal objective is to assist you in the following:

  • Personal assistant to potential opportunities to properties available for buy to let purposes. The current property rental value for your property and the calibre of tenants available.
  • Ensure you are aware of all current government legislations in relation to letting your property, as well as the latest safety regulations.
  • We have a range of services to suit your individual needs and circumstances. If you would like a less of an active role in managing your property, please let us take care of your property needs. Whether, it is in maintenance, rent collection, all your legal matters etc. On the other hand, however, if you wish to play a hands on role in managing your property you may wish to take advantage of our rent collection/let-only services.
  • check annual gas safety certification (if gas is supplied) and electricity safety every five year
  • keep the property and any shared gardens in good repair
  • provide suitable rubbish disposal

What your obligations are as a landlord

You must meet the required standards for tenancy agreements, ending tenancies, protecting tenants’ deposits and respecting a tenant’s rights.

Tenancy agreements

You must provide clear written tenancy agreements, which cover:

  • water and sewerage charges
  • other utility bills
  • arrangements for access and procedures for carrying out repairs
  • keeping pets

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

If you are letting your property under an assured shorthold tenancy, you must protect your tenant’s deposit using one of the three government-approved tenancy deposit schemes. You must tell your tenant how their deposits are protected, within 14 days of receiving their money.

When a tenancy ends, you must return the deposit to your tenant unless you think your tenant owes you money, for example because of unpaid rent or damage the tenant has caused to your property. In those circumstances you should try to agree with your tenant how much deposit will be returned to them.

Deposit protection schemes for private tenants

Ending a tenancy

In order to legally remove a tenant, you need to follow the correct legal procedures for the type of tenancy in place.

Ending a tenancy – private renting

Other obligations as a landlord

You also have other obligations, including:

  • providing tenants with a written statement of your name and address, within 21 days of being asked for this
  • providing tenants with a rent book which gives your name and address, the nature of the tenancy and the amount of rent to be paid
  • giving tenants 24 hours’ written notice that you intend to enter the property to inspect its condition

You may be penalised by the local authority if you don’t meet your obligations.

What are a landlord’s obligations?

As a landlord you have a certain responsibilities and legal obligations to your tenant. These are the main things you have to do

Look after the building

Keeping the exterior of a property to let in good condition is a landlord’s obligation. Make sure you maintain the roof, drains and gutters. If there is a Building Manager Company in place the tenant needs to be made aware and have access to their details.
Make sure services are available

It is also a landlord’s obligation to make sure that the property to let is supplied with services like gas, electricity, water, sanitation and heating. If at all possible and available such services will need to have been tested and certified i.e. Gas Safety certificate, Electrical test etc.
Leave your tenants in peace

A ‘covenant of quiet enjoyment’ is part of most tenancy agreements. It means a landlord mustn’t interfere with the tenants. This is a very important and serious legislation that cannot be taken lightly and landlords will need to abide to it.

For example, you can’t

  • Go in to the rented property without their consent, except in an emergency (water leaks, fire, gas leak etc)
  • Do anything that affects the tenants’ rights, for example cutting off services to force a tenant to leave

A landlord’s legal obligations

Every year gas equipment like boilers and ovens must be inspected by a person qualified to undertake testing. These engineers must be registered with and qualified by Gas Safe (formerly CORGI). Any electrical equipment supply has to be safe too, and furniture must be fire resistant.

To make sure you’re up to date with all the relevant safety regulations, our letting agents provide leaflets with all the information you need. We are obliged to refuse to take on a property to let where the furniture, furnishings, gas installations or electrical equipment do not comply.

Step 1: Make your property looks its best

We’ve found that when a place just feels right, the first few minutes are often all prospective tenants need to decide.

This means that making your property look its best could be the difference between a quick rental and a long slog with an empty house or flat on the market. Letting property doesn’t have to be hard work.

  • Be objective – don’t overlook flaws just because you don’t mind them
  • Reduce clutter – get rid of everything but the bare essentials
  • Decorate neutrally – tenants should be able to see it as their home, not yours
  • Keep it light – clean the windows and use light colours to decorate
  • Outside and in – fresh paintwork and well cared for outside spaces make a great first impression

Step 2: Find your tenants

We’ll advertise your property on the web, in our offices and in print, making sure it gets seen by as many potential tenants as possible.

We’ll show prospective tenants around on your behalf and we’ll make sure it’s convenient for you and for any current tenants. It’s always best to show off a property in daylight, but evening viewings are no problem: we’re open until 7pm. We can show people round at the weekend, too.

Step 3: Get the paperwork done

When you’ve found the right tenants and they’ve agreed to move in, there’s some paperwork to be done before the tenancy can start. We’ll take care of this and send all the documents to you and your tenants.

We call this stage “let agreed”, and it starts with checking credit references. We’ll request credit checks on your tenants, follow up references and talk you through any potential problems.

Next we’ll draw up a tenancy agreement that sets out exactly the terms of your contract with your tenant, including any special requirements you have. We’ll send you and your tenant copies to sign, all you have to do is check it, sign it and send it back to us before the tenancy starts. We will forward a copy of their signed agreement to you and your signed agreement to the tenant.

Finally, the inventory records the contents and condition of your flat or house at the point when your tenants move in. Because it’s so important that this is impartial, we recommend a specialist Inventory Company. They will give you and your tenant a copy of the inventory, and will do another inspection at the end of the tenancy to check that nothing’s missing or damaged.

Step 4: Taking a deposit and moving in

Before the tenancy starts, we’ll collect the deposit and the first rent payment on your behalf. As soon as this money clears, your tenants can move in.

The independent inventory clerk will be there to check your tenants in, and we’ll make sure they get the keys.

How we can manage your property

Our property management service can be utilised whether or not your property has been let by us. As part of our property management service, we will:

  • Visit your property twice a year and make sure it’s in top condition. If we think any work needs doing, we’ll let you know
  • Arrange day to day maintenance, redecoration and repairs on your behalf
  • Give you advice on how to make the best of your property and enhance its value
  • Keep you informed on changing safety regulations to ensure you keep your property compliant
  • Handle the accounts and keep you up to date on rent payments and any maintenance spending