County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd will offer a First class service to Property owners looking for Full Property Management Services or just a Tenant Finders service covering all of County Durham.

County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings and Mortgages Ltd will manage all types of property from one bedroom flats to large detached houses, furnished and unfurnished, for a variety of Landlords in a variety of circumstances: homeowners, investment Landlords, homeowners working aboard.

We will provide “the complete management service” and aim to take the worry out of lettings for Landlords and will give an efficient professional service with personal supervision and attention to detail at all times.

Why use County Durham Properties,
Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd?

County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd will regard its role as an agent as being one whereby Landlords can have peace of mind in knowing that their property is in safe hands. We will act as an intermediary between Landlord and Tenant, dealing with any problems, queries or repairs which may arise during the Tenancy. We are here to assist, support, give advice and to act on behalf of the Landlord. A large proportion of Landlords are homeowners and we realise that they are concerned that the property is being well cared for whilst we let it.

General Guidelines

The landlord’s first step is to ensure that permission is sought from the Mortgage Lender concerned to let (if there is a mortgage on the property).

Inform your insurers that you intend to let the property.

It will greatly assist us and ensure the property is let quickly and managed efficiently if the following is adhered to:

The property garden\grounds are in good clean order and well maintained. This is also an area where we can be of assistance. Please ensure we have all information including any limitations (e.g. restriction on pets/children/smokers etc) the alarm code ( if applicable) when the property is available, for how long, furnished or unfurnished, leasehold or freehold and two sets of keys if possible.

Landlords must acknowledge that wear and tear is to be expected when letting a property. In particular it is likely that carpets, appliances, fixtures, fittings, furnishings, etc will NOT be in exactly the same condition as before the property was first let. This downside is of course outweighed by the rent collected.

Full Management Service and Information

FINDING A SUITABLE TENANT

We advertise in the Local press. We also keep a mailing list. A ‘To Let’ board is available free of charge.

VIEWINGS

We show prospective Tenants the property in the Landlords absence (if required).

REFERENCES

We will obtain confidential references prior to the commencement of all Tenancies. These will include employer, previous Landlord references and a credit check.

BOND/SECURITY DEPOSIT

A security deposit (bond), usually 1 month rent will normally be collected and held in our dedicated Clients Bank Account. No interest will be paid on any amount held. Repayment of the deposit to the Tenant will normally be made after the Tenant has vacated the property, less any deductions for damage or breakage’s.

INVENTORIES

We highly recommend having an inventory and schedule of condition prepared prior to the Tenancy commencing. When managing the property we will make necessary arrangements for your inventory details to be taken. This can compared to the condition of the property at the end of the Tenancy after the Tenants have vacated. We will not accept any responsibility should Landlords prefer to carry out their own inventory. County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd does not accept any responsibility for any damage or theft at the property while vacant or let.

All properties are expected to be fully carpeted, curtained and have a cooker. Expensive items should not be left in the property.

TENANCY AGREEMENT

Tenants will normally have a six month Tenancy Agreement. This agreement can be renewed after six months and six months thereafter. The Landlord is required to give the tenant two months notice to vacate, the Tenant one months notice.

RENT COLLECTED

All rent will be directed to the landlord on a monthly basis. Management charges and any maintenance items will be invoiced normally every two months. County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd will not be held responsible for non-payment of the rent by the tenant and do not guarantee any rental payments.

CHECKING THE PROPERTY

We will visit the property on a regular basis to ensure the property is being well cared for.

RENEWAL OF TENANCY

To help cover the cost of administration and to inspect the property we charge £25.00 plus vat at the renewal of each Tenancy either to the same Tenant or a subsequent Tenant.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Before proceeding we will agree with you the cost of any additional works carried out by ourselves such as 1) Checking inventories 2) Dealing with the Tax Authorities 3) Any extra work outside of the parameters mentioned in this agreement.

REPAIRS

You will be liable for the cost of repairs to the property. It is our policy to obtain your permission before any repairs expenditure is made. However in the case of an emergency, say a water leak, storm damage, etc or you`re none availability we will proceed with repairs to make secure any damage, etc without your permission.

DISPUTES

County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd will initially arbitrate disputes such as Tenants refusing to pay rent, leaving a property in unsatisfactory condition, etc. The security deposit will be retained in our Clients Account until any disputes have been properly arbitrated. If arbitration by us proves to be unsuccessful; you will be responsible for initiating any Legal action needed and for the cost of such action.

WITHDRAW

To withdraw from this agreement we require two months written notice from you.

INSURANCE

Insurance cover for the Building and Contents, including payment of premiums, is the Landlords responsibility. Therefore County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd cannot be held responsible for any lapsed policies.

CONSENT FOR LETTING

As a landlord you must confirm that you have the right to let the property. This included seeking consent from 1) The mortgage lender 2) The head/superior Landlord if the property is leasehold. We must have a copy of the letter from your Mortgage Company confirming Permission to Let the Property.

INSPECTIONS: We will inspect the property and produce a report when a Tenant occupies and/or vacates and at the renewal of any tenancy agreement.

TENANT ONLY/FINDERS FEE

Our fees for this service (excluding inventory work) is £300.00 plus vat which includes obtaining references, obtaining the bond and one months rent, checking references, and hand over to the landlord. If you wish County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd to prepare and check in the inventory the cost of this extra service will be £35.00 plus vat.

FULL MANAGEMENT FEES

For this service a basic fee of 12% plus vat of the gross income received. There is also an initial fee of £300.00 plus vat for administration, which covers also the Tenancy Agreement.

If you withdraw from this contract, yet continue to rent the property to a tenant via us, you will then be liable to a charge of 12% plus vat of 6 months gross rent.

INCOME TAX

Your net rental income is liable to income tax. You are responsible for payment of this tax.

UTILITY BILLS

The Tenant is responsible for all Utility Bills whilst renting the property.

COUNCIL TAX/WATER RATES

The Tenant is responsible for the Council Tax and Water Rate Demands whilst renting the property.

BUILDING INSURANCE

You are responsible for insuring the structure and your contents. Please ensure that your mortgage lender/insurer is aware that the property is let as this can affect the cover and premium payable.

STATEMENT

We will issue to you a statement detailing transactions made on request.

GAS APPLIANCES

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1998 compels Landlords to ensure that a safety check is carried out on all gas appliances prior to the Tenants occupation. The check must be carried out by a CORGI Engineer who also has the necessary ACOP ( Approved Code of Practice) certification. County Durham Properties, Sales, Lettings & Mortgages Ltd must receive a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before we allow a Tenant to move in to the property. This safety check must be done every 12 months. Meter Readings to be taken before occupation. We as agents do not take responsibility for any accounts that have not been finalised by either the Landlord or Tenant.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 state that any person supplying electrical equipment must ensure that it is safe.

There are no statutory requirements for the equipment to undergo a safety check by a qualified engineer, but Landlords owe a duty to ensure that all items are in a safe condition at the commencement of the Tenancy. All plugs must be ‘sleeved’ and carry the correctly rated fuse and all sockets must comply. The Landlord hereby warrants to the agent that all electrical items are safe and that he agrees to undertake the responsibility for the safety checks in accordance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.

SMOKE DETECTORS

Although the 1991 Smoke Detector Act only applies to new buildings we feel that Landlords have a duty of care to provide suitable alarms in rented property. The Landlord should ensure that the smoke detectors are working at the commencement of the tenancy. We strongly recommend that a fire blanket and small fire extinguisher are present in the kitchen area of the property.

WATER METERS

New legislation came into effect on 1st April 2000, which allows tenants renting a property for longer than six months to apply for a water meter without permission from a Landlord.

FIRE AND FURNISHINGS

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998 (as amended in 1993) apply to any upholstered furniture in the property. Landlords must make sure that all upholstered furniture carries a fixed label detailing that the item complies with the above legislation. Any furniture prior to 1950 will be exempt as long as they have not been re-upholstered. The landlord hereby warrants the agent that all furniture and furnishings in the property to be let and included in the letting fully comply with the requirements of the Consumer Protection Act 1967 and all statutory instruments made under it including, in particular, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendments) Regulations 1989 and 1993.