After instructing Belvoir Mansfield Sales & Lettings as your letting agent, here is a brief summary of what happens next;
So what happens next?
Paperwork
You will receive 2 pieces of paperwork to fill out (Terms of Business & Property Owners Form). It is vital that you provide us with as much detail as you can in the property owners forms so that we have correct records.
We will also require the following; Gas Safety Certificate, Electrical Safety Record & an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). We can arrange for these to be done on your behalf with one of our trusted contractors (costs apply). We will also need a “permission to let” letter from your mortgage lender (if applicable) or proof of ownership. Once we have received the EPC, Property Owners Forms, Terms of Business & a set of keys we will then be able to advertise your property (we will require the other paperwork & further sets of keys before the tenant moves in – see property preparation checklist).
Insurance – Belvoir has negotiated specific Rent & Legal Guarantees and Buildings & Contents insurance policies with Let Alliance (a specialist insurance provider) to offer our landlords comprehensive cover to protect their property investments. Please let us know if you would like us to provide you with a quote or for more information on these policies.
Marketing & Viewings
Your property will be marketed on internet portals – Rightmove & Belvoir websites, and an iconic “To Let” board will be erected. We always carry out accompanied viewings at your property mainly for security reasons but it also allows us to answer any questions the viewer may have at that time, plus get that all important first impression of potential tenants. At the end of each week, our property negotiator will contact you (telephone/email) to provide you with feedback on the viewings that have gone ahead.
Tenancy Applications/Referencing
Once a prospective tenant has viewed a property and wishes to apply we take an application fee from them (see application fees page). This is mainly for referencing costs but it also acts as their general commitment to wanting the property.
We carry out several references to ensure their affordability for the property. These are; credit check, employers reference(to prove tenant earns at least 2 and half times the annual rent and that there are no impending changes to employment) and we will also do a landlord reference if they are currently in rented accommodation. If the applicant cannot provide a landlord reference we will request that we can have a look around their current property (within reason) in order to see how they look after their property. In some cases, tenants may need a guarantor (this is one of our requirements if a tenant is in receipt of housing benefit or is under 21).
Inventory/Move In
If you have chosen our fully managed, let & rent or let only service, our independent inventory clerk will prepare an inventory/statement of condition at the property before the tenant moves in. This will detail the entire property and will be accompanied by date and time stamped photos; we will also take the meter readings. Our aim with the inventory is to reduce any eventual disagreement at the end of the tenancy term.
Once the tenants have moved in we will inform the utility companies and council tax.
