ASK & WE ANSWER
ADVICE FOR LANDLORDS
Advice Hub – Landlords
Get the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from our landlords
At Stone Assured we have an excellent record of finding Tenants for Landlords properties. We are in desperate need of bringing new Landlords on board for our Tenant waiting list. We have been established in Doncaster for a number of years now and find that our independent and friendly service is welcomed by our existing Landlords and Tenants.
The tenant is responsible for the council tax (unless you decide to include this in the rent) but this needs to be clearly stated in the tenancy agreement. If the property is standing empty, it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay.
Landlords do have a right to enter the property to fulfil any legal responsibilities. The Landlord And Tenant Act 1985 allows you to access to inspect the property, as long as you have given you at least 24 hours’ notice to the tenant and that the proposed visit is at a reasonable time.
You may be liable to pay tax on your rental income, whether you live in the UK or are based overseas. You can find the relevant information on the Inland Revenue’s website.
You must ensure that all furnishings comply with furniture and furnishing regulations. All compliant furniture must display standard labels in a prominent position. This is to reduce the risk of fire within the property.
Yes, a Gas Safety Record (GSR) is required by law and must be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe Register engineer, every 12 months.
Yes, you will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC report will detail the energy efficiency of your property, giving it a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
All landlords are required to purchase an EPC for a property before they let it and, from 1st April 2018, the property must have a minimum rating of E on its EPC. It will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches this requirement with a penalty of up to £4,000.
Stone Assured will perform a full inventory of your property. This will be a detailed list of the contents and condition of your property taken before any tenant moves in. We believe this is very important, as it will help settle any dispute over damage at the end of the tenancy that may occur. This property inventory will be proof of the original condition of the property and its contents.
We will place all tenants’ deposits with an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme is there to protect the tenant’s money and help to resolve any disputes at the end of the tenancy.
This will depend on how much support you need. We offer various service levels, each involving a different degree of service – our fees will reflect this. Contact our team to find out the different services we offer and how they would apply to you.
You are free to charge what you want for your property – but we definitely advise asking us first. We have expert knowledge of the housing market and will be able to give you a current indication as to what your property rental value should be. This makes sure that you aren’t under charging (and losing money) or over charging (and not getting the tenants).
Yes. You will need to inform you mortgage lender. They will need to give you permission before you can let out your property. Once you do this they may impose special conditions. If you are looking to buy a property with the intention of letting it out, you may be able to obtain a buy to let mortgage.
Our Fees vary depending on the services you require, the number of properties you would like us to manage. To discuss your individual requirements, please contact one of our team.
Have Another Question?
If your question isn’t answered above, then just fill in your details with your question and we will respond as soon as possible.
