Landlords

Find out how we can help you be the best Landlord you can be

Here at Kendall Harper we know how important it is to have an agent that you can trust to provide the best possible service.

 

Whether you are a first time landlord letting your own home or you’re a landlord with a large portfolio, we have the market knowledge and experience to assist you in finding the right tenant and maximise your return.

We have different levels of service, so you can choose what is best for you and you can be sure that we are here to help you with the whole process from start to finish. We will arrange everything from marketing your property and finding the best possible tenant, to drafting the tenancy paperwork, collection of rent and property management. Our services will give you peace of mind that we have everything covered for you for as long as you are a landlord.

Here are the services that we offer:

1. Tenant Find Service

Our Tent Find Service is for landlords who need our help to with the marketing of their property, sourcing of their tenant and setting up of the tenancy paperwork, but are happy to deal with the day to day management of the property and collection of the monthly rent.

Our Tenant Find Service includes the following:-

  • A rental appraisal of your property
  • Marketing of your property, including quality images and a floorplan as standard
  • Conducting viewings with prospective tenants
  • Offer proposals including tenant profiles
  • Negotiation of the let in line with landlord requirements
  • Tenant Referencing via a Tenant Referencing/Landlord Insurance Company
  • Guarantor referencing and drafting of Guarantor Deed
  • Assistance with Property Compliance including arranging an EPC, Gas Safety Certificate, PAT and Smoke Alarm Test if required and ensuring all legal requirement are fulfilled in connection with the let.
  • Drafting of the Tenancy Agreement
  • Collection of first months rent and deposit
  • Registration of the tenants deposit with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service) if required. Please note that the client must open their own DPS account within 14 days of tenancy commencing, in order for Kendall Harper to transfer across the damage deposit to the clients DPS account. If the deposit is held in Kendall Harper’s DPS account throughout the term of the tenancy, there will be a charge of £120 (£100 + Vat)
  • Arranging of an inventory and schedule of condition and a check in with a third party inventory company, if required
  • Rent protection and legal expense insurance is available as an optional extra

The fee for this service is 60% + vat of one months rent (72% inc VAT).

2. Rent Collection Service

Our Rent Collection Service is for landlord who are happy to deal with the day to day management of their rental property but require our assistance with the marketing of their property, sourcing of their tenant and setting up of the tenancy paperwork and collection of the monthly rent. With this service we will also ensure that your property safety and compliance certificates are kept up-to-date.

Our Rent Collection Service includes the following:-

  • A rental appraisal of your property
  • Marketing of your property, including quality images and a floorplan as standard
  • Conducting viewings with prospective tenants
  • Offer proposals including tenant profiles
  • Negotiation of the let in line with landlord requirements
  • Tenant Referencing via a Tenant Referencing/Landlord Insurance Company
  • Guarantor referencing and drafting of Guarantor Deed
  • Assistance with Property Compliance including arranging an EPC, Gas Safety Certificate, PAT and Smoke Alarm Test if required and ensuring all legal requirement are fulfilled in connection with the let.
  • Drafting of the Tenancy Agreement
  • Collection of first month’s rent and deposit
  • Registration of the tenants deposit with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service) if required
  • Arranging of an inventory and schedule of condition and a check in with a third party inventory company, if required
  • Collection of the monthly rent and transfer to your nominated account (normally within 3 working days of receipt of the funds)
  • Monthly accounts statement sent by email in pdf format
  • Annual rent statement for tax return available upon request
  • Arrears chasing if there are any late rent payments and liaising with guarantors where necessary
  • Renewing of property safety and compliance certificates keeping you legally compliant throughout the course of the tenancy
  • Rent protection and legal expense insurance is available as an optional extra

The fee for this service is 8% + VAT (9.6% Inc VAT) of the monthly rent for the term of the tenancy and an initial set up fee of £300 + VAT.

3. Full Management Service

Our Full Management Service is for landlord’s who want the peace of mind knowing that we are looking after all aspects of the letting of their property. From the marketing of your property, sourcing of their tenants and setting up of the tenancy paperwork, collection of the monthly rent and day to day management, including dealing with maintenance issues, property inspections and end of tenancy deposit… we’ve got you covered.

Our Full Management Service includes the following:-

  • A rental appraisal of your property
  • Marketing of your property, including quality images and a floorplan as standard
  • Conducting viewings with prospective tenants
  • Offer proposals including tenant profiles
  • Negotiation of the let in line with landlord requirements
  • Tenant Referencing via a Tenant Referencing/Landlord Insurance Company
  • Guarantor referencing and drafting of Guarantor Deed
  • Assistance with Property Compliance including arranging an EPC, Gas Safety Certificate, PAT and Smoke Alarm Test if required and ensuring all legal requirement are fulfilled in connection with the let.
  • Drafting of the Tenancy Agreement
  • Collection of first month’s rent and deposit
  • Registration of the tenants deposit with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service) if required
  • Arranging of an inventory and schedule of condition and a check in with a third party inventory company, if required
  • Collection of the monthly rent and transfer to your nominated account (normally within 3 working days of receipt of the funds)
  • Monthly accounts statement sent by email in pdf format
  • Annual rent statement for tax return available upon request
  • Arrears chasing if there are any late rent payments and liaising with guarantors where necessary
  • Renewing of property safety and compliance certificates keeping you legally compliant throughout the course of the tenancy
  • Routine Property Inspection every four months
  • Notifying Local Authority of change of occupant at the start of each tenancy
  • Gas, Electric and Water meter readings taken at the start and end of each tenancy
  • Dealing with maintenance issues
  • Payment of maintenance invoices
  • Dealing with end of tenancy issues and the return of the tenant deposit at the end of the tenancy
  • Rent protection and legal expense insurance is available as an optional extra

The fee for this service is 12% + VAT (14.4% Inc VAT) of the monthly rent for the term of the tenancy and an initial set up fee of £300 + VAT.

4. Fees

  • Renewal Administration Fee – £216 (£180 + VAT)
  • Student Tenant Find Service Renewal Fee – £360 (£300 + VAT)
  • Tenancy Assignment Fee – £450 (£375 + VAT)
  • Preparation and service of a Section 13 Rent Increase Notice – £120 (£100 + VAT)
  • Preparation and service of a Section 21 Notice to Terminate – £120 (£100 + VAT)
  • Contractor Referral Fee – The amounts we receive vary depending on the work undertaken. Typically we will receive a fee equal to 10% of the amount of the invoice.
  • Tenant Find Service Deposit Protection under Kendall Harper’s DPS Account – £120 (£100 + VAT)

Here at Kendall Harper, we understand that as a Landlord, you probably have enough on your plate to also keep up with the latest legislation which is getting increasingly more complex. That’s why we have a crack team of professionals who would be more than happy to take some of the pressure away by ensuring that both you and your property are fully compliant. With our Full Management Package, we make it our business to keep up with what’s happening and tell you what you need to know and when.

Tenancy Deposit Schemes

Since April 6th 2007, legislation states that any damage deposit taken for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy needs to be held in a Government approved scheme. It could be either The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS), The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) or Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd (TDSL).

Failure to do so could lead to court proceedings issued by the tenant and the Court could action an order stating that you must either reimburse the Deposit to the Tenant in full or lodge it with the custodial scheme. Further to this, an order could be issued requiring you to compensate the tenant with an amount equal to three times the deposit. Not only this, but failure to comply could result in you losing your rights to serve a Section 21 should you deem it necessary to do so.

Kendall Harper will lodge all deposits for all tenancies arranged with the Deposit Protection Service.

The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 

As a landlord, you now have a legal obligation to ensure that your property has a valid Gas Certificate prior to your tenancy start date. This must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and we would recommend that a copy be issued to the tenants before they move into the property. Should this not be carried out and an issue occurs, you could face conviction for not ensuring the property is safe.

Kendall Harper will arrange a gas safety certificate for all tenancies arranged before the start of a tenancy, and for those client using our Full Management Service & Rent Collection Service, we will ensure the gas certificate is renewed annually to keep you compliant.

Fire Risk Assessment

Landlords have certain legal obligations when it comes to fire safety and protection of their properties and the safety of people who reside in their premises, however, it is not as simple as ensuring there is a couple of fire extinguishers to hand. Good practice and best advice would be that a fire risk assessment is reviewed annually.

You can do the fire risk assessment yourself with the help of standard fire safety risk assessment guides.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

If you are a landlord and rent out your property (or even a room within your own home) then you have legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of your tenant by keeping the property safe and free from health hazards.

If your property has an energy rating of either ‘F’ or ‘G’, new government regulations mean that you will not be able to grant a tenancy agreement or allow a periodic tenancy be created unless you are exempt.

Furniture and Furnishing Regulations 

All furniture made after 1950 that is within the accommodation that is for let has to meet all the current fire resistance requirements. All furnishings must have the appropriate labelling to indicate compliance. If no labelling is present and compliance is in doubt, checks should be made with the manufacturer. It is the owner’s responsibility to check this.

This regulation applies to a number of things including beds, head & foot boards, mattresses, sofas, pillows, scatter cushions, loose covers for furniture and garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 

Legislation requires that landlords carry out fire risk assessments in all areas of their properties. This process will identify any fire hazards and who is at risk and decide if anything needs to be done to remove or reduce that risk. Since 1st October 2015, landlords are required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every story of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a coal fire, wood burning stove).

The landlord must be able to demonstrate that the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy. It’s recommended that you have your tenants sign a declaration to say that they are aware of this being done or ensure that it’s in the inventory at check in as this is signed by the tenant. Should the alarms become faulty during the tenancy landlords are responsible for replacing them.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (E.I.C.R.) & Periodic Inspection Report (P.I.R.)

Landlords with properties in England need to conduct an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in order to let their properties. This requirement has been extended to all tenancies in England as of 1st April 2021. It is best practice that a qualified person conducts a P.I.R. and issues an E.I.C.R. at the start of every tenancy and every 5 years thereafter.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 

All electrical appliances that are left in the let property, have to be safe. We recommend that you get all appliances checked annually by a qualified engineer who will give you a PAT (Portable Appliance Test) certificate.

Energy Performance Certificates

Since April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic and non-domestic property in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants.

EPCs last for a maximum of 10 years and a copy must also be provided to the tenants when they move into the property.

Housing health & safety rating system (HHRS) – Risk Assessments 

Private landlords must understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS, ensure the safety of their tenants and pass local authority risk assessments should they be evaluated.

The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales. This assessment method focuses on the hazards that are present in housing. Tackling these hazards will make housing healthier and safer to live in.

Legionella and landlords responsibilities

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella. All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where Legionella can grow. Where conditions are favourable then the bacteria may multiply thus increasing the risk of exposure.

The practical and proportionate application of health and safety law to landlords of domestic rental properties is that whilst there is a duty to assess the risk from exposure to Legionella to ensure the safety of their tenants, implementing simple, proportionate and appropriate control measures will ensure the risk remains low.

It might seem daunting when you read everything, but we’re here to help you find your way through the maze and reduce any stress and anxiety.

Talk to us and find out how we can help you be the best Landlord you can be.

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