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Guide for Landlords

Marketing

Once instructed, we will create a description of your property which will include a summary of the property, photographs, the EPC and vital information such as the rental price and availability date.  Good quality photography is essential as this increases the response rate to our marketing activities.

We believe that high profile marketing is paramount to obtaining good quality tenants within a time scale that suits you and ultimately generates the optimum rent for your property.

We embrace the modern digital marketing age to guarantee our clients’ homes are highly visible to prospective tenants and we list all properties on nationally recognised websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, and more locally on our own web site. We will also make use of text alerts and emails alerts to prospective tenants. This said there is nothing better than the traditional marketing via a telephone and speaking to prospective tenants.

The majority of enquiries we receive are through digital marketing, however we still believe having a strong presence in the local press is important and we will display your property in the Ealing newspapers and feature your property in our shop front displays in Greenford Broadway.

Viewings

Prior to arranging a viewing we will gain a strong insight into the prospective tenants’ needs and their circumstances, to determine whether they are a suitable applicant for your property and can meet the timescales and price required.

We will accompany viewings whether your property is occupied or vacant. If your property is currently let we will arrange an appointment with the tenants, we will give the current tenant adequate warning which will be in line with their tenancy agreement and give them time to prepare the property for the viewing.

We normally hold a set of keys for the convenience of all parties. This enables viewings to take place at an agreed time when the occupants are not present.

Negotiating and Agreeing an Offer

Once we receive an offer we will notify you and advise you of any special conditions to help you decide to accept the offer or not. We then negotiate on your behalf to ensure we achieve the best rental income for you.

We will always act in your best interests to secure the best rental income with a suitable tenant. Once a mutually satisfactory conclusion is met we will put into action all the checks on the prospective tenant, the deposit procedure and other paperwork.

Landlord Duties

The landlord duties can be divided in two sections, firstly, those which are obligatory under the Housing act 1988 (as amended 1996) and the tenancy agreement which includes making sure the property safe for tenants occupation and secondly those that are recommended to promote good relations with the tenants and motivate them to take good care of the property.

 Authorisation to let

  • Before letting your property the following should be considered:
  • Where the property to be let is subject to a mortgage, permission is normally required from the mortgagees to let a property
  • If the property to be let is leasehold then the landlord should continue to pay any ground rent and services charges and gain authorisation and consents from the relevant parties to let the property
  • Buildings & Contents insurance, Make certain that the property is adequately insured and that you have informed your insurance company of your intention to let.

Electrical Safety in Rental Properties

  • It is important to ensure that all electrical appliances and fittings within the property are safe and in good working order.
  • Unlike gas regulations, there is no law that says you must have a electrical safety certificate however Evans & Company can arrange for the appropriate electrical inspections.

Fire and furnishing regulations

  • As from January 1 1997 all rental properties must comply with fire regulations. Furniture complying with the regulations must have a label clearly showing that they are fire-resistant.
  • Furniture manufactured before 1950 is exempt.. Any furniture manufactured after 1988 and sold by a retailer after 1990, should comply with the regulations.
  • All covers on upholstery, upholstered furnishings, loose fittings, permanent or loose covers, beds, headboards, mattresses, pillows, cushions etc. must all pass the fire resistant test. The regulations do not apply to carpets, curtains, bed linen and duvets.

Gas Safety Regulations

  • The landlord must ensure that the gas appliances are checked annually to ensure that they are safe. Testing must be by a GAS SAFE registered installer.
  • Evans & Company Lettings can arrange for the appropriate gas inspections.

 Smoke alarms and Co2 detectors

  • The Building Regulations (1991) state that all properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated interlinked smoke detectors/alarms with at least one detector per floor level.
  • In the case of older single family rental properties, technically there is no legal requirement for landlords to provide a smoke alarm. However, it is strongly recommended that landlords do provide at least a battery operated smoke alarm on each floor and Co2 detectors.

Houses in Multiple Regulations (HMO)

  • As from the 6th April 2006 parts of the new Housing Act 2004 come into force where two or more households share amenities.
  • Any property occupied by three or more unrelated people will now be classed as an HMO. Please contact your local Council to ensure your property meets current standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Taxation on rental income

  • Landlords that are resident in the UK are liable for tax against their rental income.
  • We advise that you employ an accountant that can look after all your tax affairs.

Deposit Protection

  • From 6 April 2007, all deposits, up to the level of £100,000, taken by landlords/agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme.Evans & Company are a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and are able to protect the deposit and issue the correct paperwork.
  • Evans & Company are a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and are able to protect the deposit and issue the correct paperwork.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

  • From October 1st 2008 ALL Residential Landlords are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) available to tenants when they market their property.
  • In order to ensure that you remain compliant with the new legislation we are able to offer an in-house solution as at Evans & Company we have our own qualified Domestic Energy Assessors.
  • This certificate will be valid for a period of 10 years and should you at any point decide to sell your property the EPC can be used.

 

Right to Rent Checks

  • From February 2016 Landlords have to establish that all occupiers of properties that rent over the age of 18 have the rights to reside in the UK.
  • Landlords can establish a statutory excuse against liability for a civil penalty by conducting simple document checks before allowing adults to occupy rented accommodation, to ensure that prospective occupiers have the right to rent in the UK.
  • Landlords have the option to appoint an agent to act on their behalf. Where an agent has accepted responsibility for compliance with the Scheme, the agent will be the liable party in place of the landlord. Contact Evans & Company for more details

Evans & Company are an independent company covering West London area, offering a personal and professional service. The partners still work in the front line along with our experienced lettings staff who are able to provide advice and information on all aspects of letting a property.

Whether you wish to let your own home or are thinking of investing in a Buy To Let property, Evans & Company can guide you through the process to ensure that you get the best return on your investment.

Evans & Company are members of NALS (The National Approved Letting Scheme) and the TDS (The Dispute Service) Membership of these organisation demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the profession and adherence to a code of practice providing a framework of ethical and professional standards.

We offer three levels of service to accommodate the differing needs of our clients, from Finding a Tenant, Rent Collection and Full Management. These services include:

 

*Additional fees apply.  Contact us directly for more details.

Service Options Summary
Full Management
Rent Collection
Find Tenant
Letting consultation
Comprehensive marketing and advertising to find the right tenant
Listing on major web site including Rightmove and Zoopla
Advertising in the local news papers
Accompanied Viewings
Carrying out EPC*
Full referencing and credit checks (including guarantors if needed)
Negotiating the terms and conditions of the tenancy
Arranging electrical safety inspection*
Arranging gas safety inspection*
Collection of tenants advance rent and security deposit
Registration of the deposit with the TDS and holding the deposit*
Completing a written and photographic inventory and schedule of condition
Registering the utilities into tenants name
Gas and electric meter readings on check in
Completing a check out at the end of the tenancy*
Rent receipt and remittance to landlord via bacs payment
Provisions of monthly statement
Arranging for tenancy renewals and rent increases where appropriate
Arranging maintenance estimates and repairs
Ensure completion of maintenance and repairs
Arrange for annual gas inspections*
Liaising with landlords and tenants
Quarterly property inspections with written reports
Managing the check out process
Deposit reconciliation
Key holding service
Right to Rent Checks*

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