Letting Guide

A step-by-step guide to letting your property

Finding the right company to manage the letting of your property is an important decision. You’ll be looking for a company that’s a good fit for you as well as knowledgeable and trustworthy. You’ll also want to know that there’s a friendly and helpful voice on the end of the phone when you have any questions.


Step 1 - Engaging our services

Once Handles Property receives your enquiry about becoming one of our landlords, we’ll visit your rental property to provide a free valuation. It’s at this point that we’ll discuss any recommended works and a rent appraisal so that you’ll be able to maximise your return.

We’ll discuss our services and fees as well as your legislation obligations as a landlord to ensure a seamless process going forward. Once you’ve decided you’d like to proceed with Handles Property, there will be some paperwork to formalise the agreement. This is simple admin, including signing our Terms and Conditions, officially instructing Handles Property to act on your behalf, and providing the necessary certification. We’ll be happy to help you with this if needed.

Step 2 – Marketing your rental property

We’ll take photos and create a 360° virtual tour* to support the marketing materials that we’ll also create. Your property will then be launched and featured on the Handles Property website, Rightmove, Zoopla, WeAreTheMarket, and OnTheMarket (amongst others). We ensure that your property is seen by the widest possible range of potential tenants.

Handles Property liaise directly with relocation agents whilst utilising their social media presence. They also contact their vast database of awaiting applicants.

A highly experienced member of Handles Property will carry out each viewing, sharing any honest and constructive feedback with you and keeping you updated.

Step 3 – Agreeing the tenancy

Once a suitable applicant is found, Handles Property will lead the negotiations to agree a Tenancy. We’ll then complete all the necessary checks – credit, employment, and landlord reference.

When these have been received satisfactorily, we’ll draw up the contract, collect and register the deposit, and carry out the Right to Rent checks. We’re very thorough, as we want you to feel confident that you’ll have a reliable tenant.

Step 4 – Tenancy Services

To ensure a hassle-free start to the tenancy, the first month’s rent is paid in advance to Handles Property by the tenant. This means that, on move-in day, the only remaining tasks are for the tenant to visit our office to sign any remaining paperwork. We’ll also hand over the remaining legal documentation and the keys.

If you’ve opted for the Rent Collect Service, we’ll collect and process the rent each month as well as taking responsibility for chasing late payments. With Handles property you don’t have to worry about any potential financial sensitivities that may occur. Our clients who opt for the Rent Collect Service often feel very reassured that this is one less thing for them to think about. You’ll receive a monthly statement of account and the rental income transferred to your chosen account. You’ll be responsible for any other queries during the tenancy.

If you’ve chosen the Fully Managed Service, it’s even easier for you. We’ll stay involved to book in all the necessary legal certificates and arrange an inventory or schedule of condition. We’ll also manage all other aspects of the tenancy (in addition to the above) leaving you with a completely hands-free investment that you don’t need to spend any time or effort on.

Legal obligations

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of your legal obligations as a landlord.

Landlord services and fees

We like to be transparent with our fees, which is why they’re openly published. As always, if you have any questions about fees or any other element of our service, please chat to us.

 

* Subject to availability

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