CHL Properties specialise in rental properties in and around Tower Bridge and Hounslow. We are committed to ensuring that Landlords not only find a suitable Tenant for their property(s) but that the whole process is carried out in a professional manner, taking the worry and stress out of renting your property.
If you are considering renting out your property, please click here to arrange a valuation
As members of the UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA), we are bound by the UKALA Code of Conduct.
RENT GUARANTEE:
Should you choose CHL Properties to manage your property, we offer a 12 month rental guarantee policy via Homelet. If the proposed Tenant meets their “acceptance” criteria, Homelet will then issue a certificate which is valid (free of charge) for a 6 or 12 month period from the initial tenancy commencement date. It covers the landlord until the fixed term of the current tenancy has expired or if the rent guarantee certificate has expired or if the tenant has vacated the property, whichever is the sooner. It also covers the landlords legal costs incurred in evicting the tenant as a result of non-payment of the rent.
Please note that there is a subsequent charge for any renewal certificates and whilst we are happy to arrange these upon request, the cost of the certificates will be at the landlord’s expense.
We will complete all relevant Homelet claim forms on your behalf as part of our management service.
We reserve the right to dispense with the services of Homelet without notice. The offer of the rent guarantee can be withdrawn at any time.
CREDIT/REFERENCE CHECK OF TENANTS:
CHL Properties appreciate that the main concern of the Landlord is to ensure that the property is “let” to a suitable tenant who possesses the correct credentials. We therefore follow strict guidelines when choosing suitable tenants. We provide quality referencing on Tenants via http://www.maras.co.uk and endeavour to have application forms checked and approved within 48 hours
We do not let to:
• Students without a rental guarantor
• Or those in receipt of benefits.
We conduct thorough credit checks on each prospective tenant to ensure that they are financially viable. It is our policy to make certain that every tenant named on the tenancy agreement provides:
• Result of Credit checks
• Employer’s reference
• Previous landlord’s reference (if applicable)
LEGAL DOCUMENTS: As well as practical advice, we are able to offer assistance in the preparation of all legal documents such as Leases and Notices.
DAMAGE DEPOSITS: This is usually equivalent to 6 week’s rent and is held in a Client Account until the end of the tenancy (as per the UKALA Rules of Conduct). Once the Tenant has vacated the property, we then inspect the property and, provided there is no dispute, refund the deposit within a maximum of 10 days.
INSPECTION: Carried out periodically for the duration of the tenancy. A written report will then be sent to the landlord.
RENT PAYMENTS: Rent is collected on a monthly basis in advance, commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter.
OUR CHARGES: CHL Properties always take fees monthly in exactly the same manner that rental income is collected from the tenant every month.
Our charges are very competitive; for an introductory service, we charge a rate of 7% and, for a typical full management service, we charge a rate of 10%. However, these fees can be negotiable in instances where more than one property is let from the same landlord. Therefore, should you have any further enquiries, please contact our Lettings Department on 020 8570 3655 or fax us on 020 8737 8603 or email: info@chl-properties.com
INTRODUCTION OR FULL MANAGEMENT?If you choose an Introduction service, once the tenancy has commenced the tenant will deal direct with the landlord on a day-to-day basis. If there are any maintenance or repair issues, the tenant must contact the landlord directly. However, given the pitfalls, we would recommend that only the experienced landlord with time on their hands should choose to manage the property themselves.
If you choose a full Management service, our Lettings Department will deal with all aspects of the let from the commencement of the tenancy through to the end. Such services include:
• Advice on the letting of your property
• Tenant referencing and free, insurance backed, rent guarantee
• Drawing up the assured short hold tenancy agreement and (at your instruction) the section 21 notices.
• Collecting the rent and holding the tenants deposit
• Following up any late payments of rent and completing the rent guarantee claim forms if necessary.
• Property inspections (if required)
• Maintenance issues, instructing contractors and organising estimates
• Renewal agreements (if requested)
• Arranging annual gas safety checks
• All day-to-day dealings with the tenants
• Inventory check-in and check out
• Arranging annual hot water safety pressure checks
REPAIRS: If CHL Property manages your property then we will undertake to verify that all repairs are valid and arrange any such repairs on your behalf using approved contractors. Payment of any work undertaken will be remitted from the tenant’s rent, although we will require your approval before any major repair can be effected. However, landlords should note that the costs of everyday repairs and maintenance remain their own responsibility in accordance with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
If the property is not in a good state of repair, either structurally, externally or if the installations supplying gas, electricity, water and sanitation are found to be below standard and if necessary repairs are not affected, the Tenant would be entitled to consider the letting at an end due to breach of contract by the landlord.
FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED: Some Tenants prefer unfurnished accommodation and will tend to respect the property more if the actual possessions belong to them. The difference in rental income can be significant but renting unfurnished has the advantage in that the landlord is not responsible for repair or replacement if damaged, broken or worn items.
WHITE GOODS: These are otherwise known as large kitchen appliances. In most cases, properties should be let with a cooker and provision of other appliance such as washing machine or dishwasher is at the landlord’s discretion. However, it must be remembered that if the landlord chooses to provide any white goods, he remains responsible for repair or replacement, unless caused by deliberate damage on the part of the tenant.
COUNCIL TAX, WATER RATES and other BILLS: The Tenant is responsible for all the above and has an obligation to notify all parties prior to commencement of their tenancy.
WHO DO I NEED TO NOTIFY THAT I AM LETTING MY PROPERTY?
To avoid any problems or misunderstandings, we would recommend that you notify the following of your intention to let your property:
• Mortgage provider (Bank or Building Society)
• Head landlord or Freeholder (if your property is leasehold)
• Insurance Company (your insurance could be invalidated if you do not notify them that the property is being let)
• Accountant or tax office
• Post Office (for mail redirection - do not rely on your tenants to re-direct your mail)
• Utility companies and Council - you will only need to do this if you have been living at the property yourself.
WHAT IS THE TAX POSITION?
We strongly advise you seek the advice of an accountant to discuss your tax position. We can recommend an accountant to you if required. In short, you are liable to pay tax on income from a rented property. However there are many allowable expenses that can be deducted from the rental income that an accountant will be in a position to advise you on.
WHAT ABOUT OVERSEAS LANDLORDS?
The tax position for overseas landlords is different to that of UK landlords. Rules on tax state that the letting agent MUST deduct tax at source. The only exception to this would be where we hold an exemption certificate with your approval number on it issued by the Inland Revenue.
Should you have any further questions, please refer to our FAQ’s for Landlords (LINK TO LANDLORDS CHECKLIST)
OUR SERVICES: • Lettings: Full Administration and Contract preparation as per Legislation
• Tenancy Management
• Inventory Check In
• Inventory Check Out
• Hold Tenants Deposit in separate Client Account as per Legislation
• Tenants Referencing
• Introduction and Full Management
LINK Owner/AGENT AGREEMENT