Whether you are a first-time landlord with one property or an experienced buy-to-let investor with a substantial portfolio, we can help you to achieve your goals and deliver the best return on your investment.
With more than 25 years of experience in the lettings market, we are the ultimate safe pair of hands to oversee the letting of your property. Our branch is staffed by local property experts, allowing us to provide a tailored service packed with local knowledge.
Unlike many of our competitors, we have retained in-house property management teams, meaning we have local staff who are ready to respond to any repair or maintenance requests that are received. It means our teams not only know the area in which they work, they also know your property.
If you are interested in letting out a property, we would love to hear from you. One of our specialist lettings professionals will visit your home and provide you with a up-to-date market appraisal.
We pledge to do all we can to help you get the highest possible rent in the shortest time for your property, as we understand your investment needs to work for you.
The residential rental market is changing regularly with new legislation and responsibilities that Landlords must adhere to. Failure by landlords to comply with these strict new legislation laws could result in heavy fines, imprisonment for the most serious of cases and a refusal by the courts to grant a Landlord possession of their own property where there is non compliance.
Hardings are here to guide you every step of the way, offering you straight talking advice, and to guide you through the legislation that you must adhere to.
The information below, although not complete, shows how detailed the new legislation is.
Gas Safety Certificates on Managed Properties – Landlords Responsibilities
Should the Landlord, 7 days before the expiry of an existing Gas Safety Certificate or 7 days prior to HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT letting the property, not arrange with HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT to be in receipt of a valid certificate from an approved Gas Safe Registered Company or provide instructions to arrange a Gas Safety inspection prior to the end of the current certificate, HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT have the right, at the Landlords expense, to arrange for an approved Gas Safe Registered Engineer to carry out a Landlords Gas Safety Test.
Gas Safety Certificates on Let Only Properties – Landlords Responsibilities
On expiry of a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate during an existing tenancy, the Landlord is fully responsible for making sure a new certificate is arranged offering continuity of cover, at no time are HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT responsible to arrange this if the property is not managed. HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT will not accept any responsibility in the event of accidents occurring as a result of faulty electrical or gas appliances/installations. HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT will be pleased to organise servicing or repair at the Landlord’s request, however, will not be bound automatically to arranging annual inspections under the Gas Safety Regulations.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
The majority of landlords are proactive when it comes to ensuring the safety of their tenants and make a welcome contribution to the housing market. But a minority fail to do so, putting their tenants in danger as a result. These new Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested. This means that all landlords now have to do what good landlords already do: make sure the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe. The Regulations came into force on 1 June 2020 and form part of the Department’s wider work to improve safety in all residential premises and particularly in the private rented sector.
Furniture and Furnishing (Fire & Safety) Regulations 1988
These regulations apply to Landlords or Agents who let furnished accommodation in the course of a business and place a duty on them to ensure furniture is fire resistant and complies with current regulations. This means that any foam used in the furniture is to be combustion modified high resistance foam. Furniture must also pass the upholstery test (cigarette test) and the cover fabrics test (match test). All furniture, whether second hand or new, in any property made available for letting must be fire resistant to the above standards.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
From 1st October 2008 it is a legal requirement for all properties marketed for rent to have an EPC. The certificate will last for ten years and must be available for viewing before the property is marketed. HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT will not be able to accept instructions from any landlord without the EPC certificate in place.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms must be present on each floor where there is a habitable room. The landlord must ensure that the alarm is working at the commencement of the tenancy and be able to prove that the alarm is tested regularly.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon Monoxide alarms must be installed in all properties with a solid fuel boiler or fire. However, Gas Safe recommends that all properties with gas boilers should also have a carbon monoxide alarm. These alarms will also need to be working at the commencement of the tenancy and tested regularly.
Window Blinds
All window blinds fitted in rental property must now conform to the Blind Cord Safety Regulations 2014, whether there are children present within the tenancy or not. New purchased blinds all comply with this regulation and this is only relevant if you have older style blinds in your property.
Electrical Appliances
All electrical appliances/installations should be tested and maintained in a safe working order. The Landlord is responsible for any faulty appliances suppled at the commencement of the tenancy.
Proof of Ownership
A Landlord must provide a valid form of identification i.e passport or driving license and proof of ownership i.e utility bill or mortgage statement, solicitors letter.
Failure to meet the above requirements of these safety regulations may result in prosecution. You should also be aware that some insurance claims may be invalidated if they neglect to meet safety standards. We are sure you will recognise the importance of these issues and hope we can look forward to cooperation in ensuring safety in rented accommodation. We must decline to act as your Managing Agent if you fail to meet these requirements. Any ensuing problems resulting in personal injury or damage to property, where a Landlord refuses to meet his obligations may result in a criminal prosecution of the Landlord or Agent acting on his behalf.
Authority from Bank/Building Society
Without the Landlord providing HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT with the written authority from their mortgage provider, HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT will not serve any notices on their behalf.
Leasehold Properties
The Landlord must advise the Freeholder/Managing Agent that they intend to rent the property, as their consent to let and their approval of the Tenant may be required in order to meet certain requirements in the lease under which the property is owned. The Landlord may also be required to provide HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT with a copy of the main lease so that any special conditions may be included within the Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement.
Buildings and Contents
The Landlord must advise their insurers of the intention to let the property as cover may not be provided under a standard policy.
Record Keeping
The Landlord has an obligation to keep 6 years proceeding records, should you be investigated by any government agency.
Taxation of overseas Landlord
Should the Landlord wish to manage his own property from overseas, HARDINGS LETTINGS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT have an obligation to advise the Tenant to confirm the Landlord has consent from the Inland Revenue with the appropriate approval number. Alternatively the Tenant shall retain the equivalent of basic rate tax from the rent paying this amount on a quarterly basis direct to the Inland Revenue
Right to rent in the UK- Documentation and Working Visa
As from 1st February 2016, under the Immigration Act 2014, it is the landlords responsibility to ensure that all tenants have the right to rent in the UK by making and keeping a copy of passports for all tenants and evidence of their immigration status (biometric residence permit). Hardings will undertake tenants checks to the best of our ability but we cannot accept liability for any subsequent issues which arise either directly or indirectly from our actions in this respect. Please note that the penalty for non-compliance is up to £3000 per tenant.
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 Section 47
We are obliged to include your full name and address on all rent demands (tenancy agreements). If your address is outside England and Wales, then we must provide the tenant with an address within England and Wales to which notices (including notices in proceedings) may be served on you. Unless otherwise instructed, if your address is outside England and Wales, we will use our address during such period as we manage the property. We will use our best endeavours to forward any notices to you promptly but we cannot accept liability for any loss or damage incurred either directly or indirectly from our actions in this respect.
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 Section 1 and 2
If the tenant makes a written request for your actual address, where-so-ever in the world you may be, it is a criminal offence to withhold information and it must be provided within 21 days of receipt of the request, otherwise you may be liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of £2500. If you as the landlord are a limited company or corporate body, upon written request by the tenant, you are obliged to provide the name and address of every director and the company secretary within 21 days, or you could face a further fine of up to £2500.
Each of our landlords holds great significance to us, and we ensure they receive a highly personalised service from our experienced letting agents. These agents have deep knowledge of their respective local areas and possess the qualifications and skills necessary to manage affairs effectively for our landlords.
Our clients often have unique requirements, which is why we offer a broad array of services that can be customised to fit their needs. This is the reason we don’t have a standard commission rate.
We strive to keep our commission charges as competitive as possible, ensuring it doesn’t affect the high standard of our services. While we do provide a basic outline of our fees, we encourage landlords considering renting out their property to speak with the nearest lettings department for a more comprehensive understanding of the various options we offer.
For those interested, we provide a complimentary market appraisal of the property and a precise commission quote, tailored to a custom suite of services designed to fulfil the specific needs of each individual landlord.
Our fees become payable by you, if any client introduced by Hardings Letting & Property Management commences or signs an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, or occupies the property, whether under a formal agreement drawn up by Hardings Letting & Property Management or not, our commission will be charged as follows:
75% including VAT * under the terms of the Agreement. The total amount of commission due is payable at the commencement of each tenancy.
Please note: As of 1st June 2019 tenants will still need to be referenced but all fees have been banned paid by the tenant, therefore we are offering to still reference tenants and offer free legal cover up to £50,000 if needed. There will be an additional cost of £120.00 including VAT per tenancy for this service this can be renewed again after 12 months. If opted out new tenants will not be referenced and a disclaimer will need to be signed. Rent & Legal Protection is also on offer but at an additional cost which can be discussed.
60% including VAT from the first months’ rent plus 9.6% including VAT * Management charge per month on all of the gross rents collected which will be deducted from the same on a monthly basis.
When an existing Tenancy is renewed or extended, whether negotiated by us or not, commission is paid at the rate of £210.00 including VAT for a Six Month Tenancy and £246.00 including VAT for a Twelve Month Tenancy.
A nominal charge of £42.00 including VAT will be charged to Landlords of Managed properties and £96.00 including VAT to Landlords of Let Only properties in respect of Hardings Letting & Property Management administering the deposits with The DPS.
*Should the agreed rent be higher or lower than the example price our fee will be correspondingly higher or lower*
An inventory shall be carried out on all properties.
Our fees for this service are;
❖ Basic Inventory
£72.00 including VAT
(Free if Fully Managed)
❖ Update Full Inventory
£96.00 including VAT
❖ Checkout Inspection
£108.00 including VAT
(Free if Fully Managed)
We do recommend that a professional inventory and report on condition is completed and signed by the tenant before commencement of the tenancy.
| Unfurnished | Furnished | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed | £150.00 + VAT (£180.00 inc VAT) |
£175.00 + VAT (£210.00 inc VAT) |
| 2 Bed | £175.00 + VAT (£210.00 inc VAT) |
£200.00 + VAT (£240.00 inc VAT) |
| 3 Bed | £250.00 + VAT (£300.00 inc VAT) |
£275.00 + VAT (£330.00 inc VAT) |
| 4 Bed+ | £275.00 + VAT (£330.00 inc VAT) |
£330.00 + VAT (£390.00 inc VAT) |
| Unfurnished | Furnished | |
|---|---|---|
| Studio/ 1 Bed | £125.00 + VAT (£150.00 inc VAT) |
£175.00 + VAT (£210.00 inc VAT) |
| 2 Bed | £150.00 + VAT (£180.00 inc VAT) |
£200.00 + VAT (£240.00 inc VAT) |
| 3 Bed | £175.00 + VAT (£210.00 inc VAT) |
£225.00 + VAT (£270.00 inc VAT) |
In order to protect the Landlords interests Hardings Letting & Property Management can offer schemes to cover most eventualities. Legal Cover up to the value of £50,000 is available at £120.00 including VAT per 12 month policy. Rent and Legal Protection is available at £478.80 including VAT for a 12 month policy this covers rent up to a period of up to 15 months with nil excess and also includes Legal Cover up to £100,000.
1 St. Thomas Road, Brentwood, CM14 4DB
Monday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday Closed
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If you are interested in any of the services that we provide, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Hardings Lettings are an independently owned letting estate agents in Brentwood, providing a professional and dedicated services to Landlords and Tenants throughout the area.