If you are a landlord looking for a lettings company in Peterborough then look no further. We work with landlords with single lets and large portfolios. We offer a let only service and fully managed. At Woodcock Holmes we work with our landlords to ensure that we are delivering the level of service they need and require.
Our experienced property managers will take your property and ensure that you are informed and updated on all issues with your property. We look after everything in-house including collection of rent through our experienced and reliable accounts team.
Whether you are looking to let your own home or have an investment property to let, it is important to ensure the property is presented in good order throughout and meets the Fit for Human Habitation Requirements (Act 2018). This will help to attract a good quality tenant and maximise the potential rental income.
Ideally, a property should be well decorated throughout and we suggest neutral light colours. Kitchens and bathrooms should be modern and well equipped. The following are generally expected to be provided:
It would be helpful to a tenant to supply an information pack to contain such details as:
We recommend that the property, including the windows and carpets, is professionally cleaned prior to the commencement of a tenancy. The garden should also be left in good seasonal order and be well maintained. If a garage is available to use, this should be left empty and secure.
If letting a property on a furnished basis, the property should be uncluttered and personal items such as ornaments, books, etc, should be removed. All soft furnishings must also comply with safety regulations.
We will be happy to advise you further regarding the presentation of your property.
Gas Safety
Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in a property are safe for tenants to use, which requires them to:
The Gas Safe Register says, as a minimum, the record of a gas safety check must contain:
The Electrical Equipment (Safety Regulations)
Electricity has the potential to cause serious damage, including injuries or fires. In fact, faulty or old wiring is one of the main causes of electrical fires in domestic premises. Therefore, it’s crucial for landlords to:
An electrical installation condition report should feature:
A Landlords guide to the Furniture & Furnishings (FIRE) Safety Regulations
Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their properties comply with fire safety regulations. This is critical: according to government statistics, there were 27,000 fires in dwellings in 2020/21, and in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy the importance of complying with fire safety regulations could not be clearer.
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Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, landlords must undertake a risk assessment for fire safety in all areas of their property, including individual rooms, shared hallways and corridors, communal areas, stairways, and exits. They must carry out an individual risk assessment for each separate property.
A risk assessment should include five key stages:
After a risk assessment, landlords must ensure all the necessary installations are in place and that they maintain fire safety on an ongoing basis.
More specifically, they should:
Anyone who has control of premises, including landlords, must be able to show that they understand and have considered the health risks associated with legionella and legionnaires’ disease. Legionella is a type of pathogenic bacteria that causes a range of pneumonia-like illnesses and legionnaire’s disease is the most serious one. Legionella bacteria commonly live in natural water sources, but only pose a risk of illness when the water enters more favourable conditions. For instance, when the water is between 20 °C and 45 °C and has been recirculated, causing it to become stagnant.
To effectively prevent legionella and legionnaire’s disease in their properties, landlords must undertake a risk assessment for legionella. As with any other form of risk assessment, this involves five key steps:
In a property, legionella bacteria may be found in any water system between 20-45 °C. This is why it’s crucial for landlords to ensure that all water systems are correctly operated and maintained, such as hot and cold water tanks, pipework and air conditioning units. The risk can be lowered if the hot water is kept above 45°C, the cold water is kept below 20°C and if water is used regularly to keep it fresh and free of stagnation.
Should you require further information regarding the Gas, Electric or Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations we recommend you approach:
The Lettings Agent
Trading Standards Office
Environment Health Office
Health and Safety Executive
The Gas Safety action line which can be contacted on 0800 300 363
Obtain a copy of the Guide to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations published by the department of trade and industry.
The above guides are intended to provide a summary of the regulations to the landlord it is not an authoritative interpretation of the regulations, which is a matter for the courts.
We like to take all the stress from you and make sure that renting your property is not only easy but also compliant. We offer a range of services to suit all your needs.
From booking a valuation with one of our property experts, we will be on hand to give you all the information required.
Once you decide what package is best for you, we will provide you with a company terms of business and ask for your required documentation.
After this, we take the reins in finding you an ideal tenant. Your property will be advertised on all the major portals and social media platforms. We take control of all viewings and conduct them from 9am to 5.30pm, 6 days a week. If the property is vacant, we will also inspect it weekly until tenanted.
Following the viewings, we will inform you of all the candidates allowing you to make an informed decision.
We will ensure the tenant has the right to rent and has been successfully referenced. We ensure all the documentation is correct and make sure that the tenants are provided with all the necessary legal documents.
On the moving in day, we make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone is kept informed and up to date.
We can provide you with a detailed written inventory with plenty of photos at a cost of £100 + VAT.
We can secure the tenants deposit with MyDeposits.co.uk and hold the deposit in an insured account at a cost of £45 + VAT.
