unilet.com - for your information
We are delighted to offer a FREE Property Appraisal and to give our view on Rental Value as well advising on current legislation.
Telephone 0845 467 5435 or contact us and we'll call you right back.
Marketing and Advertising
We advertise property on Rightmove, LettingWeb, Unilet and via other websites.
We display ‘to let’ signs at each property, mail details to our database of Tenants and arrange viewings 7 days a week am or pm.
Our website has downloadable e-brochures for each property along with viewing arrangements and internal photos.
We give regular feedback, monthly statements and property inspection reports to the Landlord.
Tenant Vetting and Referencing
We assess each viewer and ask those interested to apply for the Tenancy.
Credit Searches on behalf of each Tenant over the age of eighteen may be required.
We may also seek References from any previous employer, bank, landlord or personal referee.
Guarantor
In some cases we may ask for a Guarantor - someone who will guarantee to pay the rent if the Tenant defaults, this is an extra form of security for the Landlord.
The Guarantor will be asked to sign an independently witnessed Guarantee in which case a Credit Search and References for the Guarantor will be required.
There is a non-refundable Administration Fee of £35.00 for this which is paid by the Tenant at the time the Application Form is submitted.
The Inventory is a list of all the contents and a record of the condition of each item and of the property - referred to as the Schedule of Condition - prepared prior to the Tenancy commencing. The Agent and Tenant/s sign the Inventory and initial every page to confirm agreement. Photographic or video evidence of the property contents and condition may also be used.
Deposit
Prior to entry and release of keys, a Deposit equal to six week’s rent and a month’s rent in advance must be received by Unilet as cleared funds. The Deposit is held in a secure clients' account until the end of the Tenancy. Please allow at least seven working days before you move in to allow clearance of cheques or bank transfers.
At the end of the Tenancy, the Inventory and Schedule of Conditions will be checked and agreed with the Tenant - preferably on move-out day, before the Deposit is returned.
The Deposit will be repaid by cheque to the Tenant's forwarding address, this normally takes about ten working days from the move-out date or after the completion of any remedial work that may be required at the property - the Deposit being retained until any outstanding issues have been resolved, usually:
We use Short Assured Tenancy Agreements for a minimum rental period of six months and maximum period of twelve months, both with the option to extend and renew. Either four or six weeks deposit and the first months rent will be collected in advance of the let from the Tenant and transferred electronically to the Landlord.
Terms and Conditions
We will discuss the Terms and Conditions of the lease with you, including the length - the minimum Short Assured Tenancy we offer is six months. It may be possible to extend a Tenancy, subject to the agreement of the Landlord. Tenants should read the Tenancy Agreement and seek legal advice if required, to understand it's terms and conditions.
At least thirteen weeks prior to the Tenancy ending, we will approach both Tenant and Landlord to see if either party wishes to extend the lease. If the lease is extended, there is an Administration fee of £30.00 payable by the Tenant. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee at the start of a lease that it will be extended.
Mid Tenancy/Three Monthly Inspections
These visits are carried out by the Agent where the condition is compared to the Inventory and Schedule of Conditions.
Accounting
All payments are collected from the Tenant monthly in advance by Standing Order. After allowing for Bank clearance we will then electronically transfer the balance to the Landlord.
Rent
Rent is collected monthly in advance by Standing Order - we shall provide the necessary Forms for this. The Standing Order will be dated at least three working days prior to the rent being due to allow time for the funds to clear the banking process.
Should the funds be more than five days late in reaching our account then a 'Late Rent' Administration Fee of £25.00 will be made.
In the unlikely event of a Standing Order being returned as 'Refer to Drawer' we will be obliged to charge an Administration Fee of £25.00 to cover costs in addition to any Bank Charges.
Interest charges of 4% over the current Bank Interest Rates will be incurred on overdue rent.
Should the Rent remain unpaid, the clauses relating to overdue rent in the Tenancy Agreement will be enforced.
Services
At the start of your Tenancy we contact the relevant Utility Companies to inform them of your move-in date, we will also advise them of the respective meter-readings. However, BT will not allow us to do this and you must apply to them in person for a phone connection. If there is a socket in the property it may not necessarily be in working order. The Landlord is not responsible for any charges made to connect or reconnect a telephone line.
At the end of your Tenancy we will advise the relevant Utility Companies of final meter readings and your new address to allow them to issue final accounts for the property. We shall forward the balance of your Tenancy Deposit by cheque on to the same address.
Property Management
We will read meters and advise Utility Companies of the Tenant's entry and vacation dates and arrange for payment of applicable accounts. We will agree with the Landlord on our scope of responsibility in arranging repairs. We can use our list of Approved Contractors or those nominated by the Landlord. We check and report each property on a three monthly basis, to ensure that it is being looked after in accordance with the Tenancy Agreement. We provide written reports to the Landlord as required, and we will return to assess dilapidations at the date of termination in-line with the original singed inventory. Outwith general wear & tear, the Tenant is responsible for all relevant dilapidations where applicable.
Maintenance
If anything goes wrong with the structure of the property or any furnishings supplied then the Landlord is responsible for repairs - excluding washing machines. During your Tenancy you are asked to report any problems to us as soon as is convenient. If your Let is Unmanaged then you must report faults direct to the Landlord. However if anything goes wrong due to misuse or neglect then it it the responsibility of the Tenant to cover the repair costs.
Other Responsibilities
The Tenant is responsible for Council Tax (student exemptions), gas, internet, telephone, electricity bills, TV license (even if a TV is supplied); belongings and insuring any contents taken to the property.
Insurance
The Landlord is required to provide relevant Buildings and Contents Insurance for inclusions. We can offer a comprehensive range of Landlord Insurance policies.
Tax
The Landlord is required to liaise with the Inland Revenue whether a Resident or Non-Resident Landlord. Check here for information provided by the Inland Revenue.
Safety Regulations
All Landlords are required to comply with Current Safety Regulations, details provided here. If required, we can arrange for all relevant Gas and Electrical checks to be carried out. We can instruct Energy Performance Certificates which will be required by law on all Tenancies commencing after 4 January 2009.
Additions
We believe in quality of service and value for money. We include links to fully downloadable e-brochures (with high resolution photos and location map) - which can also be forwarded by email if required.
- Telephone 0845 467 5435.
