Energy Performance Certificates - Important Info for Landlords
Jane Gardner : Head of Lettings : 12 September 2008
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL LANDLORDS. NEW LEGISLATION REGARDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES FROM 1ST OCTOBER 2008.
As from 1st October 2008, all rental properties in England and Wales will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prior to marketing.
The good thing is that these certificates will remain valid for 10 years, however, tenants will be able to see, at a glance, how energy efficient and environmentally friendly your property is! The report will give you the current ratings and the recommendations for improving the property in order to lower the running costs and CO2 emissions, in other words to help the environment.
Of course, it is another expense to consider at the outset of renting your property, but, in the long run, this legislation is designed to encourage people to consider their carbon footprint and, surely, that cannot be a bad thing.
For Landlords who have been trying to sell and are now considering the rental option, you would already have an EPC as part of your HIP. However, if you don’t have one organised and are marketing or considering marketing your property for rent, please call us to organise one or you could end up losing valuable marketing time while waiting on your certificate to come through.
Call your local Parkheath office for EPC details today.
A few simple questions for your letting agent
Abbie : Lettings Manager : 05 September 2008
It's my turn this week to say a little piece and I'm just back from my honeymoon so I wanted to start with a huge thank-you to everyone for the lovely messages for my wedding. My new hubbie John and I had a truly fabulous day & it was, indeed, the best day of my life! We honeymooned in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpar, Penang & Borneo & had an amazing time; so if anyone wants tips on where to go, what to eat & what NOT to eat, feel free to give me a call!
Now, back to work and some gloomy news! I have returned to hear of a number of Letting Agents collapsing in the UK, which is very upsetting for all involved in the industry and I have already spoken to some worried Tenants and Landlords who know of, or have heard of, people losing their money when an Agency goes bust! I thought I would let you all know how to avoid this type of disaster by asking your Letting Agent a few simple questions before agreeing to rent with them:
1) Are you members of a professional body?
2) Do you maintain separate client accounts?
3) Are you bonded?
4) Do you hold professional indemnity insurance?
5) Are your staff qualified?
6) Are you joined to a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme?
I cannot stress enough how important it is to ask these questions and, if your agent cannot answer YES to ALL OF THE ABOVE AND show you some proof in the form of certificates & policy documents, then, quite simply, steer clear. I am proud to say that Parkheath Lettings CAN answer yes to every question and can show you all the proof you require. Most importantly, a BONDED agent is insured to cover all clients’ money, if (heaven forbid) something terrible happens.
I feel that the only way to build a successful company is to have happy clients and that means safeguarding the clients’ money at all times. Don't be one of the people to suffer financially, by risking your business with an agency who may not be quite so vigilant at keeping their client money safe and untouched!
Please give me a call to discuss any questions you may have on 01923 721900 or log onto www.arla.co.uk for help & advice.
Do you think that Investment buying is a thing of the past with the current ‘Credit Crunch’?
Rochelle Latham : Property Manager : 05 September 2008
Do you think that Investment buying is a thing of the past with the current ‘Credit Crunch’?
We at Parkheath disagree.
Since we opened in 2002, the Lettings office has never been so busy and with the downturn in the Sales market, if you have ever considered buying a property to rent it out, we believe this is the time to do it.
With perfectly suited rental properties available at bargain prices why not snap one up and then reap the benefit of letting it out and achieving optimum rental income?
Parkheath will assist you every step of the way, from your initial sales enquiry, to progressing the sale. Upon nearing the Exchange date, our Lettings Team will step in to find you a tenant ready and waiting to move in upon Completion of the sale.
An example of an ideal rental property is the one pictured, at Alexandra Court in the Reeds Development, Watford. Our Sales Manager in Watford had a similar property in the same block and sold it for £212,000 5 years ago! Parkheath are now marketing it at just £210,000. It’s not going to be on the market for long at that price but do not fret, as there are many more examples of properties like this… Call our Sales office on 01923 776400 / 252505 and quote ref RL2008 for information on current Sales lists or call 01923 721900 to discuss the current Letting market.
Have you been offered a letting fee that is too good to be true?
Emily : Lettings Negotiator : 03 September 2008
Unfortunately it most probably is, with demand for rental property so high many agents are running out of properties to offer waiting tenants and in turn are slashing their letting and management fees in a desperate attempt to win instructions and attract landlord's.
It is only natural that Landlords should want to keep their costs down and even more so with the current state of affairs, many vendors are being forced to rent their properties out due to being unable to sell them in the current market. However Landlords need to be aware that when choosing a letting agent, the saying, 'You get what you pay for' very much applies in terms of service and professionalism. Cut price fees are likely to jeopardise quality of service and tenant, and it is worth bearing in mind that if an agent is offering a lower fee, because of their poor financial situation, they may not have sufficient funds to deliver any kind of a service at all. Fee cutting could end up being unsustainable and costly, and in the worst cases, cause agents to shut up shop, possibly leaving both landlord and tenant out of pocket.
Many people are under the misconception that it does not take much more than an advert in the local paper to rent a property, however in reality it takes a lot of time, money, hard-work and resources, to do the job properly. Some prime examples are knowledgeable staff trained in all legal aspects of lettings and therefore an understanding of the law and importance of abiding by it! A professional referencing service with rent guarantees offered as part of that service, an efficient and well organised management team available on call 24/7, all of this and more, resulting in a tenant’s safety and a landlord’s interest being protected at all times.
When deciding on a lettings agent, do not let price alone compromise the importance of experience, reputation and professionalism. Parkheath can offer all the above plus a fantastic enthusiasm and dedication to the industry, we are ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) registered and so you can feel confident in the knowledge that you are in safe hands at all times when dealing with Parkheath.
Tenants– are you ready???
Jessica Ryan : Property Management Consultant : 01 September 2008
If you are looking at renting you better be ready for a whirlwind ride as the lettings market is going crazy. The market has changed; Landlords are no longer struggling to get a tenant to commit to a rental or having to consider a reduction on the rental price… These days Tenants need to look good for a Landlord and be quick to move because, to be honest, Landlords have a lot of choice!
This is where you want to ensure you have registered with Parkheath! We are gaining instructions to market quality properties daily and when you are registered with us you will receive the details by text bulletin and email as soon as the property comes on the books, giving you the highest chance of being first in line to view. In this bouyant market you need to be ready for anything as, if there is a property that you like, there is probably another prospective tenant right behind you.
These days it is also about offering the right price, prospective tenants are trying to outbid each other to secure the property they want. You have to be prepared to jump in feet first and move quickly if you see something that grabs your fancy. Make sure you have good references available and are prepared to put your money down before someone pips you to the post!
If you are a Landlord - don’t forget that Parkheath will also be texting and emailing your property as soon as it comes on our books, so none of this waiting around for an offer with us. No more losing revenue while the property sits idle, normally applicants are seeing the property on the first day and a lot of times by the second day we are approaching you with an offer.
So ladies and gentleman, if you want to find a property quickly - register with us today, although please be warned that there are no dawdlers accepted in the fast lane of lettings!!!
