Safety & Maintenance
It is essential that we are able to offer properties that comply with the following safety regulations. These are the responsibility of the owner (the landlord), and where we are to manage the property, they are also ours as agents. Therefore to protect all interests we ensure full compliance with the appropriate regulations, at the owner's expense.
Gas Appliances & Equipment
You are required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to ensure all gas appliances in tenanted premises are maintained in good order and must be checked for safety at intervals of not more than 12 months, by a CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered gas engineer, and a safety certificate issued. Records must be kept of the dates of inspections, of defects identified, and of any remedial action taken.
Electrical Appliances & Equipment
Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and some other regulations, electrical installations and equipment in tenanted premises must be safe. Although (unlike gas) no safety certificate is legally required, and therefore it may be adequate to perform a visual check of electrical equipment, fittings and leads, it is recommended that a qualified electrician be engaged for this purpose.
Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistant standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, and beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows, and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bed clothes including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Therefore all relevant items as above must be checked for compliance, and non-compliant items removed from the premises. In practice, most (but not all) items which comply must have a suitable permanent label attached. Items purchased since 1.3.90 from a reputable supplier are also likely to comply.
General Product Safety
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 specify that any product supplied in the course of a commercial activity must be safe. In the case of letting, this would include both the structure of the building and its contents. Recommended action is to check for obvious danger signs - leaning walls, broken glass, sharp edges etc., and also to leave operating manuals or other written instructions about high risk items, such as hot surfaces, electric lawnmowers, etc. for the tenant.
General condition
Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.
Appliances
Similarly, appliances such as washing machine, fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher etc. should be in usable condition. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.
Decorations
Interior decorations should be in good condition, and preferably plain, light and neutral.
Furnishings
It is recommended that you leave only minimum furnishings, and these should be of reasonable quality. It is preferable that items to be left are in the property during viewings. If you are letting unfurnished, we recommend that the property contains carpets, curtains, and a cooker.
Personal items, ornaments etc
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the owner's risk. All cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the tenant's own use.
Cleaning
At the commencement of a tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenant's responsibility to leave the property in similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning should be arranged at their expense.
Mail forwarding
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Application forms are available at their counters, and the cost is minimal. It is not the tenant's responsibility to forward mail.
Flintshire Homes
Fees / Charges
Letting Only
£350.00 plus VAT at 20%
Letting and Management
£200.00 plus VAT at 20%. An ongoing management commision of 12.5%, deducted from the rental each month plus VAT at 20%
Quaterly inspection £25.00 per visit plus VAT at 20%
Letting and Management Service
1) Providing a rental valuation of the property, and offering advice as required.
2) Advertising as necessary, selecting tenants, arranging/carrying out viewings, dealing with negotiations, obtaining references and credit checks.
3) Preparing and signing as Agent for The Owner a suitable tenancy agreement in accordance with current law.
4) Preparing an inventory and schedule of condition.
5) Advising on and assisting in the transfer of utility service accounts.
6) Collecting a security deposit usually equivalent to one calendar month's rent that will be protected by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DPS. The terms and conditions and ADR rules governing the protection of the deposit including the repayment process can be found at www.depositprotection.com .
7) Receiving ongoing rental payments, preparing and forwarding to The Owner and/or their accountant financial statements on a monthly basis, and remitting the balance of rental payments within one month of the due date, provided the same shall have actually been received.
8) Making payment of certain regular outgoings provided The Agent has agreed to do so separately in writing and that sufficient funds are held in credit by virtue of paragraph 7 above.
9) Advising on and ensuring compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 with regard to the inspection, maintenance, and keeping of records in respect of gas appliances in tenanted premises, The Owner being responsible for all costs involved.
10) Advising on and ensuring compliance with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) with regard to minimum fire resistant standards of specified items supplied in the course of letting property, The Owner being responsible for all costs involved.
11) Advising on and ensuring compliance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and other relevant legislation with regard to the condition and safety of electrical equipment and appliances in tenanted premises, The Owner being responsible for all costs involved.
12) Quarterly Inspections will be carried out on the property, the reports will be sent electronically via e-mail. They are a general overview of the property which includes a written report and photographic evidence to ensure compliance with the terms of the tenancy agreement.
13) Arranging any repairs, maintenance or replacements to the property or contents which come to or are brought to the Agent's notice and which the Agent considers necessary, up to an estimated cost of £150 for any one item or job, The Owner being responsible for the cost involved. Where the estimated cost exceeds £150, notifying The Owner or their nominated representative who will be responsible for arranging and paying for such work or replacement. £150 will be deducted from the first months rent and held as a contingency fund for this purpose. If any money is used from the contingency fund for a repair, it will be topped back up to £150 from the next rental payment received. This is so that there is always a float of £150 in the fund.
14) Taking appropriate initial action in the event of rent arrears or any other breach of condition of the agreement in an effort to remedy the situation. Where such arrears or breach persists, informing The Owner or The Owner's nominated representative who will be responsible for taking any further action and meeting any costs involved.
15) Liaising with the tenant on a routine basis, arranging renewals of the agreement or check-outs, re-advertising and re-letting to new tenants as appropriate.
Letting Only Service
1) Providing a rental valuation of the property, and
offering advice as required.
2) Advertising as necessary, selecting tenants,
arranging/carrying out viewings, dealing with
negotiations, obtaining references and credit checks.
3) Transferring Gas, Electric, Water and Council Tax
accounts into the tenants name.
4) Collecting the first months rent and a security deposit.
5) Preparing and signing as Agent for The Owner a
suitable tenancy agreement in accordance with
current law.
6) If you require any further services please enquire
about our full management service.