Great Western Homes - Landlords
GREAT WESTERN HOMES
provides a full property management service to owners/landlords wishing to rent their property, details of which are outlined below.
Our full management service includes:
ADVICE ON RENTALS:
On visiting your property to discuss and advise on aspects of letting and on an achievable rent, taking full property particulars.
ADVERTISING:
Marketing the property via local newspapers, our website and mail-out to our waiting list of prospective tenants.
VIEWINGS:
We undertake to show potential tenants around your property.
REFERENCES:
Interviewing prospective tenants. Taking up job references, financial, solicitor s or previous landlord s references, as relevant.
FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED?:
Generally there is little difference in the rent of either. Tenants requirements vary widely. All soft furnishings must comply with the Fire Resistance Requirements. Also, the repair and maintenance of any electrical appliances would be the landlord s responsibility, unless specified to the contrary. With unfurnished properties it is recommended that carpets and curtains are provided and basic gardening equipment.
TENANCY AGREEMENT:
In most cases we deal in six month Assured Shorthold Tenancies suitable for letting self-contained houses or flats.
MORTGAGES:
Where properties are mortgaged it is usually necessary for the landlord to obtain written permission to let from the mortgagee.
INVENTORY:
Carrying out a property inspection and inventory check at the beginning and ending of the tenancy.
DEPOSITS:

The tenant is required to pay a returnable deposit usually equivalent to one month's rent. This is registered with the 'insurance backed scheme' operated by the government appointed Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd. (TDSL) run by the National Landlords Association (NLA). There is a charge to the Landlord of £20.00 + VAT (£23.50) for each deposit registered, which covers the period of the tenancy. Should any dispute arise at the conclusion of the tenancy then it will be necessary to follow the TDSL procedure.

The Government introduced protection for tenant's deposits for all new tenancies commencing on or after 6th April 2007.
RENT COLLECTION:
We administer the collection and payment of rent on a monthly basis, less any fees or expenses due, forwarding a detailed Payment Advice to the landlord.
INSPECTIONS:
We undertake to visit your property on an agreed regular basis and to advise of any problems that might occur.
REPAIRS:
When necessary to arrange for tradesmen to carry out minor repairs within an agreed prior budget.
UTILITIES/COUNCIL TAX:
Notifying the relevant authorities of changes in tenants and taking meter readings where possible.
OUTGOINGS:
If required, we can make payments on behalf of the landlord from rents received for outstanding water rates etc.. However, we regret we cannot be held responsible for the payment of any demands which appear to be in order.
GAS APPLIANCES:
Landlords are legally required to have all gas appliances inspected for safety by a CORGI registered installer, who will issue a Gas Safety Certificate. This is an annual requirement which we will arrange on your behalf unless instructed otherwise.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:
Are required to be in good, safe working order. If the wiring has not been checked recently, a qualified electrician should inspect this prior to the property being let. It is also recommended that smoke detectors be fitted.
LANDLORDS MAIL:
Where possible we will make every effort to redirect mail in the short term.
OVERSEAS LANDLORDS:
If you are classed as an overseas landlord by the Inland Revenue we would be required to deduct tax at the standard rate on your behalf. However, provided your tax affairs are in order, as agents, we can apply to the Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office (FICO) for approval to have your rent paid net of tax.
DISBURSEMENTS:
We would make a charge for overseas faxes and phone calls.
TAX:
Rental property income is treated as unearned income and is subject to income tax. We are happy to give general advice on costs that can be offset against rental income.
FEES:
Our management fee is deducted as a percentage from the gross rents as they are collected during the period of the tenancy and are based on the level of service required. We will be delighted to further discuss this or any other queries you may have.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT:
A management agreement is required to be signed by landlords.

GREAT WESTERN HOMES
Our aim is to take the greatest care in managing properties. However, there can be cases of late or non-payment of rent. Naturally we will make every effort possible to collect this rent, but we are not liable for the loss or other defaults by tenants, or any associated legal costs that might occur. An insurance policy is recommended for this eventuality on the rare occasions this might be necessary.