Mathesons Estate Agents

Tenants

All tenants are credit checked and qualified to ascertain their suitability before they enter into a tenancy.

This credit reference provides essential information on credit history, current and previous residence, employment, next of kin contact details, and bank details.

Property Management

We provide a full management service to Landlords whereby we will deal with the day to day running of the property and handle any problems or maintenance issue that may arise during the term of the tenancy which brings peace of mind for landlords. Other responsibilities include

Rent collection
Preparing the Tenancy Agreement
Periodic property inspections
Monthly statements

Free Valuation/Advice

All our staff are fully qualified to provide well advised, honest and reliable information and advice to ensure that you have a good understanding of what letting your property will entail, as well as the costs and responsibilities associated with that.

We appreciate that some agents may give you a higher valuation in order to win an instruction, however we at Mathesons will only provide a reliable and honest valuation, qualified by other similar properties let out within the area, based on the current market, local trends and variations.

Safety regulations

The law makes particular demands regarding the safety, servicing and inspection of gas, and electric appliances and installations within a property and with respect to the safety of furniture or soft furnishings provided.

The following regulations apply:

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and (ammendment) 1993
General product Safety Regulations 1994
Gas Safety (Installations and Use) Regulations 1998
Gas cooking appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
Plugs and sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994
Energy Performance Certificate

Tenancy Agreement

The agreement prepared will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement unless you advise us otherwise.

Under the terms of the agreement, once signed both Landlord and tenant are bound for the full term of the let unless agreed otherwise. This way both Landlord and tenant have more security.

Inventory

Inventory clerks are not employed by Mathesons. Although Landlords may be able to compile inventories, we would recommend the services of a professional inventory company be utilised to avoid possible future disputes at the end of the tenancy.

Tax and insurance

Council tax: Payment of Council Tax will normally be the responsibility of the occupier in the property, however, Landlords should be aware that when a property is empty or Let as a house of multiple occupation, (HMO) responsibilty for payment of Council Tax then rests on the owner of the property.

Value Added Tax: The current rate of VAT is 17.5 %*

*Will rise to 20% in January 2011

Insurance: The Landlord shall be responsible for the property being adequately insured and that the insurance policy covers the situation where the property is let.

Rent and deposits

We take a minimum of 1 month deposit and 1 month rent in advance from the tenant prior to move or signing the Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement.

From 6 April 2007, when a Landlord or letting agent takes a deposit from a tenant, the deposit must be protected in a Government-authorized tenancy deposit scheme

Rent Guarantee

We can offer a Rent Guarantee Service to cover the term of your tenancy, for more information please contact us.