Welcome to the CHBL Lettings Process for landlords. Our goal is to provide a professional, thoughtful, and hassle-free service, ensuring that your property is let and managed smoothly and efficiently. From preparing and listing your property to managing viewings, handling tenancy agreements, and overseeing ongoing maintenance, we are here to support you every step of the way.
If your property has a residential mortgage, inform your lender and obtain permission to let the property. Many mortgage agreements have specific clauses that may restrict letting or require certain conditions to be met. Failing to get permission could lead to breaches of your mortgage terms, potentially resulting in penalties or even the demand for immediate repayment of the loan.
Ensure your property meets all legal requirements for renting. This includes compliance with health and safety regulations, obtaining necessary certifications (such as gas and electrical safety certificates), and ensuring the property is habitable. These steps are essential for both legal compliance and the safety and well-being of your tenants.
We conduct comprehensive market research, considering current market trends, seasonal fluctuations, and the supply and demand for similar properties in your area. Key features of your property, such as floor level, views, orientation, and furnishings, also play a significant role in determining the rent. An accurate valuation ensures you set a competitive rent that maximises your returns while quickly attracting quality tenants.
Most central London rental apartments are expected to be furnished. The style and layout of furniture significantly influence rental value. Investing in quality furnishings can enhance the property's appeal and achieve higher rent. Our furniture packs are competitively priced, offering stylish, contemporary designs, durable and comfortable materials, and quick, hassle-free setup.
First impressions matter. Professional images create a strong first impression online, attracting more potential tenants. High-quality photos highlight the best aspects of your property, making it stand out among listings. We also produce high-quality property tour videos, leading to quicker decisions and reduced vacancy periods from your prospective tenants.
We promote your property across multiple platforms, increasing exposure and attracting a diverse pool of tenants. This includes listing your property as a featured property on Rightmove and Zoopla for one week, promoting on 18 social media platforms with over 50,000 viewers, and leveraging our networks with international students, relocation companies, and corporate clients. Additionally, we notify our pool of prospective tenants about properties matching their preferences, ensuring your property reaches interested and suitable applicants.
Viewings are a crucial part of the letting process, allowing potential tenants to see the property, get a feel for the space, and envision living there. At CHBL, experienced Lettings Negotiators conduct all viewings, highlighting key features and showcasing the local area. This ensures tenants have a comprehensive understanding of the property and its benefits. Additionally, we explain the legal aspects of the renting process, ensuring prospective tenants are well-informed and confident in their decision.
A holding deposit is collected once the offer is accepted by the landlord and tenant. This deposit secures the property for the tenant while the referencing and paperwork are completed.
A prospective tenant submits documents to begin referencing through our third-party provider, Goodlord. Goodlord initiates a comprehensive assessment, verifying the tenant's employment status, confirming their income, checking previous rental history, and conducting credit checks to assess financial reliability. This referencing process is crucial for landlords as it provides a clear picture of the tenant's background, financial stability, and legal eligibility to rent, helping to mitigate risks associated with letting out their property.
Depending on the type of tenancy, we prepare either an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement or a Non-Assured Shorthold Tenancy (Non-AST) agreement. The AST, the most common type of tenancy in the UK, outlines the specific rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including tenancy duration, rent amount, and the notice period for termination. It also includes important details regarding deposit protection and repair obligations. Non-AST agreements apply to tenancies that do not fall under standard AST rules, often used for company lets or short-term lets.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks are required for monthly rent over €10,000 to ensure compliance with financial regulations and prevent illegal activities.
We arrange a detailed inventory to be conducted by a third-party inventory clerk on the tenancy start date. This documents the property’s condition at the time the tenant takes possession, including fixtures, fittings, furnishings, and cleanliness. This record helps resolve any disputes over damages or wear and tear when the tenancy ends.
Right to Rent legislation requires landlords or managing agents to check the immigration status of prospective tenants to ensure they can legally reside in the UK. For UK and Irish passport holders, they need only verify the original document. For other passport holders, they must use a share code for online verification. Landlords or managing agents must check and retain copies of identification documents like passports, visas, and residence permits. Follow-up checks are required if the tenant's right to stay is time-limited.
The tenant’s deposit, typically five weeks’ rent for annual rents under £50,000 or six weeks’ rent for over £50,000, must be registered with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt. This protects both parties by ensuring the deposit is handled correctly.
We notify all relevant utility providers (gas, electricity, water) and the local council about the new tenancy. This ensures that accounts are transferred to the tenant's name, and they are billed directly for their usage, avoiding confusion or disputes over utility payments.
We act as the primary point of contact for tenants, handling questions or concerns about the property, arranging repairs, and addressing any issues that arise during the tenancy. Effective communication is key to maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship.
We coordinate and oversee any required maintenance and repairs, including routine and emergency repairs. Additionally, we conduct property inspections every six months to ensure the property is in good condition, providing a report to the landlord detailing the inspection results and any necessary actions.
We are responsible for collecting rent from the tenant. The rent money is sent to our client account, which has the Client Money Protection Scheme. This ensures that the funds are safeguarded and managed according to strict regulatory standards. We aim to process the landlord statement by deducting all expenses, such as maintenance costs and management fees, and then transferring the net amount to the landlord’s designated account within three days of receipt.
We prepare detailed statements and records of all rental income and expenses in our system. At the end of each financial year, we compile these accumulated statements and send them to you or your accountant, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free process for preparing your personal tax return.
A Non-Resident Landlord (NRL) is a property owner who resides outside the UK for more than six months a year but rents out property within the UK. We assist NRLs with the application process to ensure compliance with UK tax regulations. Our services include application assistance, accurate tracking of all rental income and expenses, and providing detailed annual statements to facilitate easy tax return preparation.
At the end of the tenancy, we conduct a thorough check-out inspection via a third-party check-out clerk to compare the property's condition to the initial inventory report. This helps determine if any damage or wear and tear exceeds normal use, which may be deducted from the tenant's deposit.
Tenants are responsible for settling final utility bills and closing their accounts when vacating the property. Before releasing the deposit, we verify with utility providers that the final bill has been settled. If any bill remains unpaid, the amount owed will be deducted from the deposit.
After deducting any agreed-upon damage or repair costs, as well as any unpaid rent or bills, we process the return of the tenant's deposit. The deposit will be returned within ten days of reaching an agreement on the amount to be refunded. In the event of a deposit dispute, we can provide assistance. Our team is experienced in handling such issues and will work to ensure a fair resolution for all parties involved.
A Section 21 notice is a non-fault eviction notice used if you wish to regain possession of your property. This type of notice allows landlords to evict tenants without providing a specific reason. However, landlords cannot serve a Section 21 notice to end the tenancy before the fixed term has expired unless there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement. We will serve a Section 21 notice to the tenants on your behalf. This notice is a legal requirement for ending a tenancy and must comply with specific legal requirements to be valid.
If eviction becomes necessary, we guide landlords through the legal eviction process, ensuring all steps comply with UK regulations to minimise legal risks and complications.
At CHBL, we strive to make the letting process as seamless and stress-free as possible for our landlords. Our comprehensive services cover every aspect of property letting, from initial preparations and marketing to tenancy management and legal compliance all the way through to the tenancy end. By partnering with us, you can be confident that your property is in safe hands. We are dedicated to maximising your rental income while ensuring a positive experience for both you and your tenants. Thank you for choosing CHBL for your property letting needs.
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International House, 1 St. Katharine's Way
London, E1W 1UN
