Click here to see our landlord fees
Why Choose Us?
We are Ivybridge’s only dedicated Letting Agent.
Whether you are letting a property for the first time, or already work with an existing property portfolio, we are able to provide unrivalled expertise in our market place, aiming to maximise returns on investment whilst exceeding your expectations on all levels of service.
We provide:
- NO LET, NO FEE
- A friendly and professional service
- Excellent communication and free professional advice
- Three great levels of great service
- Efficient collection and forwarding of rental payments
- Extensive property marketing to attract suitable tenants quickly
- Experts in our field and specialise solely in lettings
Your Home Let delivers a highly professional and efficient residential letting and management service to Landlords and Tenants in Ivybridge, Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Whilst embracing the principles of quality customer care, our aim is to provide unrivalled expertise in our market place, backed by a team of fully dedicated professionals and extensive property marketing. Having invested greatly in training, marketing and property management software; we are very well placed to provide the most efficient service possible.
In order to maximise property exposure, our website is updated on a daily basis and our properties are listed on market leading property websites.
How will Your Home Let manage my investment?
We aim to provide a smooth running and consistent service where the property is continuously let and maintained. The aim is to keep the property in the same condition it is at the beginning of a lease until the end. Of course, in reality, tenanted properties are prone to additional wear and tear, and in situations where this may affect the rental value, we shall contact you to suggest possible remedies to recover the lost value. We will also deal with any direct maintenance issues with the tenant, arranging any maintenance work or repairs where it is proven that the landlord is responsible.
Energy Performance Certificate
With effect from April 2018, all new tenancies require an Energy Performance Certificate to A, B, C, D or E rating. Their purpose is to determine how energy efficient homes are on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes – which should have the lowest fuel bills – are in band A. The certificate uses the same scale to define the impact a home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings.
The certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home’s energy efficiency to save money and help the environment. If your property does not have an EPC, Your Home Let can arrange for this to be obtained. Please ask for further details.
Obtaining the tenants and referencing
Arguably, the most important factor when letting the property is the prospective tenant. The whole success of letting depends on finding the right tenant. If an applicant wishes to proceed with a tenancy, we will assess their suitability.
The references aim to check that each tenant is creditworthy by for example checking for CCJ’s and arrears and obtaining employer, landlord and character references. Once references have been received, we will contact you to confirm the results of this and advise of the proposed checking in date.
All necessary legal paperwork, including an inventory prepared by a fully qualifies APIP inventory clerk, will be prepared and signed and any outstanding balances settled by the tenant before the tenancy commences.
Inventory
Your Home Let will provide a full Inventory and Schedule of Condition Report compiled in-house as we are members of The Association of Professional Inventory Providers (APIP). This inventory provides a fair and accurate record of the contents of the property and their condition. It also records the condition of the fabric of the internal and external parts of the property. Photographs are taken to show the condition of items / décor at the time of the check in. These photographs shall be kept on file during the tenancy. At the check-out assessment the APIP Clerk will attend to make a comparative assessment of the property against the inventory/check–in. If there are any additional damages that fall beyond the definition of “fair wear and tear”, it is possible that deductions may be made from the deposit before it is returned to the tenant/s.
Deposit Warranty
Instead of a tenant providing a maximum of five weeks rent by way of deposit held in a government-backed scheme, we now give the tenant the option of taking out a Deposit Warranty policy. This allows them to pay for a policy in your name that provides you with more benefits than the standard deposit scheme. The tenant is still liable for any dilapidation or missed rent to the maximum of five weeks rent.
The Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme
Under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 every landlord or letting agent that takes a deposit for an Assured Short-hold Tenancy in England and Wales must join a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The new regulations came into effect from April 6, 2007. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure good practice. The secondary purpose of the new regulations is to try and keep disputes between landlords and tenants out of the courts by encouraging Alternative Dispute Resolution.
In November 2006, three companies were awarded contracts by The Government to run Tenancy Deposit Schemes:
Custodial scheme
The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) Your Home Let uses this service.
Insurance backed schemes
Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd (TDSL), now trading as My Deposits.
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
Landlord Insurance
Through our association with the specialist landlords’ insurer, we can offer comprehensive buildings insurance, rental income guarantee and contents insurance.
Not only does the comprehensive building insurance protect against all the things you would expect, but it is also there to help with a lot more including:
Loss of rent and re-letting costs following flood or fire to the property up to 30% of the insured amount
The rebuilding of your property following loss or Damage
Owner’s property liability of £5 million
Please ask for further details.
Should I inform anyone else that I intend to let my property?
Yes, if the property is mortgaged, the bank or building society must be made aware of the intention to let the property. They will generally require details of the tenancy before giving their approval. Where the property is leasehold, the freeholder must also be informed of any intentions to let the property. It is also important that the contents and buildings insurer is made aware of any tenancy. Certain terms and conditions may need to be applied in order to keep the policy valid.
Should I let my property furnished or unfurnished?
Experience tells us that the preference is generally for an unfurnished accommodation and a furnished property doesn’t necessarily increase a properties rental value. Where possible, we would advise landlords to offer their property unfurnished, however be ready to offer some basic furnishings on request. We would advise that if the property is to be let furnished, it should include items such as sofas, tables, basic kitchen appliances, wardrobes, beds, curtains and carpets however all must comply with current fire regulations.
Overseas Landlords and Income Tax
The scheme requires UK letting agents to deduct basic rate tax from any rent they collect for non-resident landlords. If non-resident landlords don’t have UK letting agents acting for them, it is their responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received and to pay any tax due. Non-resident landlords can apply at any time for approval to receive rent with no tax deducted.
If your intention is to reside abroad then we can offer the following services:
Arrange for annual rental accounts to be prepared by a local firm of chartered accountants and be submitted to the Inland Revenue at the end of each tax year. Details available on request.
Tax saving schemes relating to earned income abroad and the possibilities of re-investing your income to receive tax-free interest. Again, we have the expert advice of a firm of financial consultants on hand. Details are available.
Houses in Multiple Occupancy
If the landlord wishes to rent their property to multiple occupants, it may mean that a licence is required before the property can be legally rented. Houses in Multiple Occupation are also referred to as “HMOs” and the purpose of the licensing scheme is to improve management and safety standards in this area of the rental sector.
It is now a mandatory duty for:
- All Local Authorities to have a licensing scheme
- Owners of certain types of HMOs to have a licence
- A HMO is a building or part of a building which meets one of the following tests:
- A – The standard test
- B – The self-contained flat test
- C – The converted building test
- D – Certain converted block of flats
- A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) MUST have a licence if it fits:
- A – The Standard test Or
- C – The Converted building test
For further information on houses in multiple occupation and how this may affect you as a landlord, please speak to one of our representatives
