Lettings Services

Courtyard offers four levels of service for landlords; fully managed, fully managed plus, tenant find or rent collection, however we can tailor any package to suit your needs, just contact the office to discuss your requirements.

Renting A Property Out

It's important to remember that rental prices and demand can fluctuate on a month to month or even week to week basis, and there may be periods when the property is empty in between tenants. Also, don't forget to allow for repairs and maintenance.

• Viewing Arrangements - There can be nothing worse for landlords or tenants than a nervous viewing. At Courtyard, we show prospective tenants around your house; thereby avoiding all the uncomfortable situations. This way we can point out all the fabulous features of the property and the area, answer any questions and provide a relaxed environment for the viewer to enjoy your house.
• Mortgaged Properties - If the property you are letting has a mortgage, then you must obtain the lenders permission before any tenancy commences. Applying after a tenant has been found may prejudice the tenant.
• Leasehold Properties - Most leasehold properties require the leaseholder to obtain permission from the freeholder before letting the property. Permission should be obtained before the tenancy commences.
• Landlords Insurance - In most cases, a change to your buildings insurance policy will be necessary. If the property is being let 'part' or 'fully' furnished, then we recommend that you discuss a 'contents' policy also. Please advise to arrange a quote.
• Gas Safety Certificate - Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, all gas appliances, flues and pipe work must be inspected by a GAS SAFE registered engineer at the start of each tenancy, and every 12 months for continuous tenancies. A copy of this report must be provided to the tenant. Please let us know if you would like us to arrange this for you.
• Electrical Equipment - It is recommended that any electrical installations and appliances are inspected by a qualified electrician, as should an incident occur the landlord must be able to demonstrate that duty of care has been exercised. Therefore, it is our recommendation that you should have your installations and appliances professionally checked. Please ask for details.
• Fire Regulations - The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) ensures that any upholstered furniture and furnishings at the property to be let are filled with material suitable to meet the regulations for fire resistance and are labelled confirming compliance.
• Fire Safety Regulations - All Landlords have to provide working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in any property where a tenancy begins on or after 1 October 2015. Landlords should check that these are in working order on the first day of every tenancy that begins from 1 October 2015 onwards. The regulations require a smoke alarm to be installed on each storey of the premises on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. Also, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed in any room of the premises which is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance – i.e. a gas boiler, gas stove or gas fire.
• Repairs and Maintenance - The law states you must maintain the property and undertake any major repairs that are required. This includes anything that affects the structure and exterior as well as the electrical, heating, hot water and sanitary conditions.
• Cord Safety Regulations (2014) - Professional installers must fit compliant (safe) blinds in all homes. It is now against the law to supply or install an internal window blind which does not comply with the child safety requirements. Blinds that are 'safe by design' are compliant with this new standard. The requirements are; to protect babies and small children, installing child safe blinds to ALL HOMES whether children are present or not, there are limitations on cord and chain lengths. Safety devices must be in place for preventing any cords or chains from creating a hazardous loop. The fitting of safety devices on cords and chains must be at the point of manufacture. All safety critical components of internal blinds must be tested with safety warnings and product instructions provided.
• Tax Liability - As a landlord you are responsible for completing a Self-Assessment Tax Return at the end of each financial year. If you are a non-UK resident landlord (for example, spend more than 6 months abroad) then as your agent, we are obligated to deduct monies at the appropriate rate and hold them until we receive written approval from the Inland Revenue or until these monies are forwarded to them on a quarterly basis.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - From 1st October 2008, all new rental properties/new tenancies in England & Wales are required to have an EPC which will remain valid for ten years. Please ask if you would like us to arrange this. From April 2018 all rental properties must have an energy rating of E or above, therefore if your property does not meet this requirement you will need take steps to improve the property energy rating before renting your property out.
• Keys - If your property is managed, 3 sets of keys will be required for the main entrance, so we can give the tenant(s) 2 sets and retain a 'management set' should we need to meet tradesmen or gain emergency access etc. in most cases, we can arrange key cutting and deduct the cost from your rent.

Courtyard offers three levels of service for landlords; fully managed, tenant find or rent collection, however we can tailor any package to suit your needs, just contact the office to discuss your requirements.

Lettings Packages

All fees are non-refundable