advice for landlords


Advice for landlords
Mortgaged Properties

You should notify your building society or bank if the property is mortgaged if you are thinking of letting your property. It is usually one of the conditions of your mortgage that you apply for permission to sub let the property. We also recommend that your building and content insurers are advised of your plans as they too may need altering to cover a third party residing at the property.

Leasehold properties

It is advisable to check if the property is leasehold, with the freeholders, that there are no restrictions or covenants which prevent you from renting the property

Non UK resident landlords

If you are going to reside outside the UK we are bound under the Taxes Management Act 1970,section 78 and 83 to assess you at the basic rate of income tax (variable) due from rents we collect on your behalf if you are not "self assessing" your own tax. We should receive a letter of confirmation from your accountant and tax office confirming that they accept liability for payment of your tax.

Keys

It is important to have several keys cut for the property, enough for each adult Tenant due to move into your property plus a set for Gatehouse Property Management, for security and access if so required.

Legal costs

Should there be any need to take legal action against the Tenant, the Landlord will be responsible for action plus any necessary costs incurred. For managed properties, assistance will be given to the Landlord with regard to documentation and administration with reference to the tenancy. However, we offer a rent guarantee and legal expenses cover policy to cover such costs at a reasonable price.

Transfer of services

If you have decided to use Gatehouse Estates as your Managing Agents the only service that we are not able to transfer for you is the telephone, the suppliers will only deal with the subscriber and not with a third party. Please, therefore, arrange transfer on the day the tenants take occupation if possible.

Gas and electricity

Inform the suppliers of the date of transfer to the new Tenants, plus their names the meter reading and your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.


Water rates

Water Rates will become the Tenant's responsibility in most cases, but please advise the suppliers of your new forwarding address. If your water charges are on meter the tenant is responsible and a meter reading meter reading together with the date of transfer, needs to be supplied to the Authority together with your forwarding address.


Council tax

Once again this is payable by the tenant during the tenancy. Please advise the Local Authority the date of transfer to new Tenant and your forwarding address in order that they can send you a closing account.


Telephone

It is best to arrange the transfer for the actual day that your Tenants will be moving in. If there is a break between subscribers, there can be a charge depending on the length of time that the service has been disconnected.


Mail re-direction

The post office offers a service to redirect your mail which we recommend you arrange prior to vacating the property for the term of the tenancy. You should also inform your bank, employers, friends and family who are likely to write to you inform them of your new address.

Regulations

Whether requiring a letting only service or Management services, Landlords have the responsibility for the safety of both the Tenant and their own property during the tenancy.