At Wentworth we use in-house, qualified photographers to ensure we obtain the best shots possible of your home, complete with an interactive floor plan which is available exclusively to view and download from the internet.
We subscribe to all the main property portals including Rightmove, PrimeLocation, Zoopla and Find a property. Wentworth produces its own property newspaper advert which is distributed to over 80,000 selected local homes. Your property is presented 24 hours a day on our office LCD screens and on glossy A3 window details.
Given your guidelines, we will work towards presenting the most suitable tenants for you. You can happily meet with any prospective client before any decision is made
We pride ourselves on ensuring that the tenants are of a high standard and we will carefully select suitable potential tenants. All tenants are comprehensively checked and verified by our trained administrators. Employment and previous landlord references will typically be provided, as well as a credit history report, plus an accountant/character reference when required. The tenancy default ratio within Wentworth is considerably lower than the industry norm, which is testament to our stringent procedures. Copies of all of the references will be provided to you to sign off and confirm agreement to proceed.
Once the tenancy terms have been agreed, a bespoke contract drafted by property lawyers will be compiled to make certain that it includes the correct details and conforms to all legal requirements. We shall select the appropriate type and length of agreement to suit your needs.
A gas safety check must be carried out on every gas appliance and flue. This will ensure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use. A certificate will be supplied by a Gas Safe registered engineer stating a fail, and the appropriate action required, or a pass. The certificate is valid for 12 months. Wentworth can arrange for the electrics and/or gas to be checked at your property.
This is required by law and also needs to be in situ prior to marketing and provides details of the energy efficiency of your property and how improvements can be made.
There is a strong consensus that most landlords will, at some stage, be required to register their privately rented property with the Local Authority. We are already experienced with this and are able to provide guidance when necessary.
This is a report of the condition and contents of your property. A professional, comprehensive inventory will be carried out at no cost to the owner. This will ensure proof of condition at the start of the tenancy and protect you should any deductions be required from the deposit once the tenants have vacated. Usually tenants are checked in and out to prevent disagreements.
We contact the tenants prior to the end of their tenancy agreement to ascertain whether they would like to stay. This will enable us to negotiate any changes to the tenancy that suit you or, if the tenants wish to move out, remarket your property immediately to minimise the void period between tenancies.
Typically collected on a monthly basis and by one Direct Debit only, Wentworth will collect rent on your behalf. To ensure your accounting is in order, Wentworth will email you a monthly financial statement of any costs and repairs incurred, along with confirmation on the rental amount paid each and every month.
If you provide Wentworth with an active email account, you will automatically receive a monthly financial statement, showing any movement on your account in that period. This will be accompanied with any relevant invoices for works taken place.
Wentworth will usually collect a month’s security deposit from the tenants. This must be registered with a government approved scheme within a specified time from the date the initial deposit is received. The deposit will be registered with ‘My Deposits’ under our Comprehensive Management Services, and a certificate provided to both you and your tenants. This will also be updated should tenants change or the contract is renewed.
At the end of the financial year, Wentworth can arrange for a financial summary to be prepared and sent direct to your accountant if you so desire.
Landlords legal protection with optional rent guarantee can be arranged, which can include the following; buildings & contents cover, loss of rent following insured perils, landlords legal defence costs, criminal prosecution defence costs, property disputes defence costs, emergency assistance legal and tax helplines, landlords legal defence, criminal prosecution defence costs, property disputes defence costs, legal and tax helplines.
This may be required before or after a tenancy. We have a long standing relationship with a number of local cleaning companies and can happily arrange this for you.
When we manage your property, our branch will require a 2 x full set of keys, including access codes and fobs, for contractors to gain access to the property.
Our maintenance team will liaise directly with you and your tenants to arrange reports, quotes and repairs.
Your tenants will be provided with a 24 hour emergency contact. Contractors are aware of what may constitute an emergency e.g. Floods or no heating in the winter.
Wentworth will carry out periodic inspections, during the tenancy. This will ensure that your property is being well cared for and highlight any potential issues before they escalate.
We will serve notice on your tenants at the appropriate time to ensure the tenancy length runs to the agreed initial term. Should you require possession of the property before the end of the fixed term, and in-line with any stated break clause, we will complete and advise you of the notice requirements at your request. The accuracy of a notice requiring possession including its content, type of notice, how and where it is served, is crucial to ensure it is legally accepted and not refused by the tenants/courts.
Our team will be on hand to advise you on any suggested deductions once the check out report has been received. We can also arrange for the necessary quotations to be compiled to support any proposed deductions to the tenants.
Wentworth has on board contractors readily available to internally and externally decorate properties for the standard of selling or rent. In most cases the benefit of using our contractor is the speed, efficiency and professional workmanship we offer, furthermore you will not need to pay for any invoices and costs of work in advance this can be deducted from you rent on a monthly basis.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require a gas safety check to be carried out on every gas appliance/flue. The certificate is valid for 12 months and must be provided to the tenants within 28 days of the check
The furniture supplied within a rental property must comply with fire resistance requirements as defined within The Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). The regulations apply to beds, headboards of beds and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in the dwelling, scatter cushions and seat pads, pillows, loose and stretch covers for furniture.
There are currently no statutory regulations governing electrical equipment and systems in the UK, although you are obligated to ensure the property is safe and you may be liable should something go wrong.
The Buildings Regulations Act 1991 states that all properties built after 1st June 1992 must have mains powered smoke alarms on each floor. If the property is built prior to this date it is not a legal requirement, however, it is strongly recommended that all properties provide at least one smoke alarm.
You may be subject to income tax during the rental period and capital gains when you sell. If you reside overseas, we are required by HMRC to comply with the non-resident landlord scheme.
An Energy Performance Certificate needs to be commission prior to marketing by Wentworth.
