Landlord Information

Owning a buy-to-let property can be a serious business and finding the right agent to manage your one property or portfolio can be a hassle, as you want a knowledgeable and professional agent, not just someone who will list your property and let things happen.

Here at Bowyer Estates, we provide fast, accurate valuations and once instructed will waste no time in producing quality details including photos and floor plans. Once these are completed, we will ensure that all clients on our database with requirements matching your property will have received a text, email and call.

Most home hunters consider social media the best source of knowledge for new properties and therefore, your property once instructed will be listed on Bowyer Estates own website, Rightmove which produces over several million leads a day, On The Market, Facebook and Twitter.

In addition, to ensure that we can provide you with the highest expected level of service, we will provide the following:

  • An Accurate and Realistic Valuation based on current and up to date market data – Free of charge with no obligation!
  • Fully ARLA registered Director with over 20+ years’ experience
  • Digital Photos
  • 2D Floor Plans
  • Competitive Fees
  • Accompanied Viewings
  • Regular Client Feedback
  • Accurate Applicant Matching
  • Internet advertising on Rightmove & On The Market
  • Full Referencing of all prospective tenant(s)
  • The organisation of legal safety certificates where required (charged separately)
  • Preparation of all legal documentation
  • Full move in at the property with the tenant and handover of keys
  • Receipt of the deposit and first months’ rent and registration of the deposit with the DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme) unless otherwise advised.
  • Arrangement of a standing order with the tenant for future rent payments
  • Member of the NFoPP Client Money Protection Scheme to ensure peace of mind. Click here to find out more.

Landlords seeking an agent, are looking for someone to take responsibility for looking after their asset and here at Bowyer Estates we do just that. All potential tenants are thoroughly checked and all our premium managed Landlords are provided with rent and legal protection included in their package, this means you can rest assured that your tenant has met strict criteria and should anything happen you do not have to worry about finding money for eviction processes and court funds for loss of rent. In addition, regular inspections are conducted and a deposit taken which is equivalent to five weeks rent and registered with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service).

Rent and Legal Protection Terms and conditions:

Subject to satisfactory referencing via our online referencing firm (applicant and guarantor if applicable) and collection of a deposit equivalent to five weeks rent and one month’s rent minimum, prior to letting. The insured must comply with all conditions of any mortgage on the property and all condition of the tenancy agreement and report within 30 days after the missed due date if a claim is to be made.

(please note this is only available to fully managed clients)

Landlord Responsibilities

As a Landlord you also have a duty of care, in order to ensure the safety of your tenant. There are a selection of legal obligations which you must adhere to and these are noted below;

Gas and Electrical Safety

The law requires that all appliances are safe and strongly recommends that everything should be independently tested.

Duty of Care demands that all electrical appliances are tested on a regular basis, particularly at the point at which the property becomes available to let.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 state that supplying unsafe appliances is an offence. In the event of an accident involving electricity, the landlord must be able to demonstrate that the supply and appliances are safe. This can only be done if they have been independently tested.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 state that all let and managed properties must be tested annually for safety. Only Gas Safe registered businesses with Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) qualified engineers are authorised to carry out work on gas appliances and piping.

We recommend only fully qualified contractors to carry out electrical and gas safety checks. We are happy to handle this on your behalf.

Smoke alarms are to be installed on all floors of a property & Carbon Monoxide detectors fitted where there is solid fuel. (Once installed, responsibility for replacing the battery passes to the tenant.)

Failure to comply with regulations can result in hefty fines and in some extreme cases, imprisonment.

Smoke Detectors

All new homes built after June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated smoke detectors. However, under the Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations of 2015, all floors of private rented property must have a smoke alarm fitted and that they are regularly checked especially battery-operated devices. In addition, Carbon Monoxide detectors must be fitted where solid fuel is being burnt. (enforceable from 1st October 2015)

We do strongly recommend that carbon monoxide detectors are installed regardless of all properties and as already stated above, insist this if we are to manage the property.

Fire and Furnishings Regulations

Since 1st January 1997, all furniture provided in furnished rented accommodation – houses, flats, bedsits – must meet the fire resistance requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998.

The regulations apply to any of the following upholstered items

  • Beds, mattresses and headboards
  • Sofa beds, futons and any other convertibles
  • Loose and stretch covers for furniture
  • Nursery furniture
  • Scatter cushions, seat covers and pillows

The regulations do not apply to:

  • Sleeping bags or loose covers for mattresses
  • Bedclothes – including duvets and pillowcases

Energy Performance Certificate

Since October 2008 all private residential property available for let is required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC is a legal requirement for new lets and is valid for 10 years.

All tenants must be provided with a copy of the EPC at the start of the tenancy. Grants may be available to tenants in receipt of Local Housing Allowance for some of the improvements mentioned in the report.

Landlords are not under obligation to act on the EPC, but doing so may make your property more attractive to potential tenants. If you would like us to make the necessary arrangements for this to be completed on your behalf, then please let us know at the point of instruction as the EPC must be completed and available within 7 (seven) days of the marketing commencing.

More information is available on the Government’s EPC website – www.direct.gov.uk/EPC

Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionella is a potentially fatal illness like pneumonia which can be caught by inhaling bacteria generated by hot and cold water heating systems including storage tanks which are not functioning properly or have been stagnant for some time. The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1999 have recently changed and the Control of Legionella bacteria in Water Systems Approved Code of Practice (“ACOP L8”), now applies to domestic living. It is recommended that all landlords of residential rental properties have a Legionella Risk Assessment completed every two years to comply with the law.

Tenants over the age of 45, smokers or heavy drinkers, or those suffering from respiratory or kidney disease or immune system problems, might be considered particularly vulnerable.

We can introduce you to an expert who can assess your property for Legionella and provide you with a report.

Mandatory HMO Licences

If you own a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)– a rented property with shared facilities, you may need a licence to let. A licence is required if the HMO has:

  • Three or more tenants forming more than one household

We can offer advice on this or have a look at these useful websites:

www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation

www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence

Carpets and curtains

We cannot let any property containing non-compliant furniture. All items must carry a permanent label as proof that items are compliant with the regulations. If you need help, just ask and we will be able to advise you.

Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

This act imposes important obligations upon Landlords. In particular, the Landlord must keep in good repair the structure and exterior of the property including drains, gutters and external pipes:

The Landlord is obliged to keep in good repair and proper working order the installation in the Property for the supply of water, gas and electricity for sanitation. This includes basin, sinks, baths and lavatories but does not include fixtures and fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity services.

The Landlord is required to keep installations in the Property for Space heating and heating water in repair and proper working order.

Exclusions

It is agreed that Bowyer Estates Limited will not be liable for;

  • The rent or any other liabilities, outgoings or expenses payable by the tenant.
  • Any expenditure payable on your behalf if Bowyer Estates Limited holds insufficient funds or insufficient authority to make payment for you.
  • Any costs, expense or liabilities incurred by you arising from the property being vacant or by reason of any damage caused to the property by reason on any acts or omission of the tenant or his family or licensees.
  • Any loss, costs, expenses or liabilities whatsoever arising from your failure to seek any necessary consents from any mortgages insurers, lenders or landlords or owners of the property.

General Provisions

Bowyer Estates Limited accepts no responsibility for repair or maintenance to any property that is left vacant during the Agency period. The repair and maintenance of such property will remain the Landlord’s responsibility.

Tariff of Charges for Landlords Before VAT Including VAT
Premium Fully Managed (Including RLP) 13%* VAT pcm & Finders Fee - £350.00 £420.00
Fully Managed- 10%* VAT pcm & Finders Fee - £350.00 £420.00
Rent Collection- 7%* VAT pcm & Finders Fee - £425.00 £510.00
Find Only £499.00 £598.80
Find Only - Platinum Package (includes 12months legal eviction cover) £575.00 £690.00
Gas Safety Record £85.00 £120.00
Electrical Report £160.00 £192.00
Unvented Hot Water System Service & Check £100.00 £120.00
EPC £65.00 £78.00
Legionella £100.00 £120.00
Interim Inspections (Find Only/Rent Collection Clients) £75.00 £90.00
Find Only Contract Renewal £100.00 £120.00
Managed/Rent Collection Contract Renewal £40.00 £48.00
Check Out Inspection & Report (Find Only/Rent Collection Clients) £125.00 £150.00
Issuing of Section Notices - New section 6A, which replaces the Section 21 and/or Section 8 Notice (Find Only or Rent Collection Clients) £150.00 £180.00

(* Percentages are of the monthly rental amount achieved)

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