Guide to lettings

Accurate & Honest Rental Valuation

For any potential landlord, the aim should be to let your property as quickly as possible and for the best price.

At Lextons we conduct valuations day in, day out, which gives us a comprehensive and unrivalled knowledge of property values in Brighton & Hove.

This is why we consistently achieve the asking price.

Selecting your estate agent

The right estate agent for your property should have an excellent high street presence as well as the competency to support you as Landlord.

Not your stereotypical estate agent

We’re all too familiar with the bad rap that is associated with estate agency, which is why here at Lextons we go above and beyond to disassociate with the unpleasant label.

Everything we do will give you an altogether better experience of letting your property.

Lextons People

At Lextons, the team are by far our biggest asset. Trained to the highest of standards; their local knowledge, professionalism and determination has given us a reputation in Brighton & Hove for being exceptionally hard working.

Our experience with the London property market has well prepared us to offer excellent advice and first-rate service to our clients.

Local Experts

Lextons people are specialists, they know the local market better than anyone and so are an unparalleled source of advice and information. Our team all live within Brighton & Hove, each is based in a different neighbourhood and so they are members of the local community; which has made them well equipped to point you in the direction of the best local cafes, supermarkets and pub!

Fee Structure

We have laid out our fee structure at Lextons clearly and in a straightforward manner to show how simply Landlords are able to spread the cost of our commission over the duration of the tenancy.

We have a vested interest in finding the right tenant, in that our commission is deducted from the rent to enable our Landlords to start receiving an income for their property as soon as the tenant has moved in.

As part of our company’s policies, we aim to go above and beyond the protection measures required by Law. We achieve this by being members of The Property Ombudsman and adhering to their Codes of Practice. Our clients can rest assured that there is a fair redress available in the unlikely event of an unresolved dispute involving our agency.

Property Management

These days it seems more and more tenants are narrowing their property search to include only fully managed properties to rent and they are often prepared to pay a premium for this service.

Tenants are able to rest assured that any commonplace issues will be taken care of by a committed property management team. Any occupant whose landlord chooses our Management Service would benefit from a 24-hour helpline with emergency contact details should any problem arise.

The benefits of a managed let include:

  • Managing tenant enquiries
  • Rent Collection
  • Transfer of Utilities

Property Presentation

As we are all too familiar first impressions count, therefore the presentation of your property is vital to a successful let.

It is perhaps worth considering tackling any of those DIY jobs, adding a fresh coat of paint and decluttering to make the rooms look as appealing as possible.

For an additional fee, within a single visit our professional photographers will produce a floor plan and take photographs. This service is complimentary for landlords who choose our Premium Management service.

Preparing your property for tenancy

Before letting your property, it is essential to carry out a professional and comprehensive inventory; detailing the contents and condition of the property. Lextons will arrange for this to be carried out for you if your property is managed by us, the cost is included for our landlords who have opted for our Premium Management service.

What Does Right to Rent mean for me?

Under the Immigration Act 2014, Right to Rent legislation was introduced. It is essential for both tenants and landlords to understand the implications of this act.

The purpose of the act is to place restrictions onto and limit illegal immigrants accessing rented accommodation within England. This is achieved by requesting all potential adult occupants to prove they are in the UK legally before they are granted tenancy. This is ensured by carrying out a process called the Right to Rent check.

What is a Right to Rent Check?

The Right to Rent check is when a potential adult occupant of a rental property personally shows their identity documents to a landlord or letting agent.

A copy of the documentation must then be copied and recorded by the landlord or letting agent who verified the identification. The process of this check being carried out must then also be recorded. If the circumstance arises where a tenant has a time limited right to rent (i.e. a visa or Biometric Residence Permit with an expiry date), then the check must be completed within 28 days of the tenancies start date. In addition the potential tenants’ visa must be valid for the proposed lease start date.

What are the Landlord’s/Agent’s Responsibilities?

The landlord/agent must:

  • Check all adult tenants who will live in the property as their only or main home
  • Ask tenants for the original documents that show they have the right to be in the UK
  • Check the original documents with the tenant physically present and ensure they are valid
  • Make copies of the original documents and record when the check was completed
  • Conduct follow up checks at the appropriate time (e.g. repeat the check when a tenant's visa expires)

Any tenant found to no longer have a valid ‘Right to Rent’ after follow up checks are made, must then be reported to the Home Office by the landlord or letting agent.

If my tenants don’t have the correct documents what are the consequences?

The occupation of a rental property is dependent on all adult tenants providing a valid Right to Rent before the tenancy start date. The tenants will present their identity documents at a Lextons branch and the Right to Rent check will be completed as part of the referencing procedure. If the event arises where any adult occupant fails to physically visit the landlord or letting agent and their original documentation to establish a valid Right to Rent, then all occupants may be denied access to the property until this requirement is fulfilled.

Further Information on Right to Rent Checks

This process has been introduced by the government as part of wider reforms to the immigration system. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/landlords-immigration-right-to-rent-checks

Find Tenants

Lextons understands that finding the perfect tenant for your property is highly dependent on achieving maximum exposure across a wide range of media platforms.

Upon your instruction for Lextons to market your property, we will produce a bespoke comprehensive marketing strategy. The package includes:

  • Promotion on property websites like Rightmove and Zoopla
  • Exposure on our website
  • Email alerts for applicants
  • Representation by our local office.

Accompanied Viewings

At Lextons we only carry out accompanied viewings, this enables the team to demonstrate their expertise and help let your property.

We have adopted longer opening hours than other letting agents to maximise viewing opportunities for your property.

Receive Offers

Once a tenant makes an offer, we will contact you to communicate the full details and any special conditions. We will provide you with as much advice and support needed to help you decide whether or not to accept.

Accept an Offer

Once you accept an offer, regardless of your management package Lextons will carry out the following:

  • Reference collection from all tenants*
  • Arrange signing of Tenancy Agreement
  • Collect moving-in payment (first month’s rent + deposit)

 

*additional fee applies (except for landlords selecting our Premium Management service)

We can also, subject to a fee, get your property ready for move-in:

  • Carry out check-in and inventory
  • Organise Gas Safety Inspection & Portable Appliance Test
  • Arrange professional cleaning

All of the above are included in our Management services and the cost included for Premium Managed landlords.

What my tenant(s) will expect to pay

Following the Tenant Fees Act 2019 you can only request payment for the following from your tenants:

  • A holding deposit that is capped at 1 week’s rent, this will be taken off the first month’s rent and is refundable in some scenarios should the tenancy not move forward
  • A refundable tenancy deposit which will be registered with an approved tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme. The maximum deposit that can be requested is 5 weeks’ rent for properties with an annual rent of less than £50,000
  • The monthly rent
  • Any requests to make changes to the tenancy, once commenced, will be charged to the tenant at £50 per request
  • Any reasonable payments associated with the early termination of the tenancy that is requested by the tenant
  • Cost of utilities for the duration of the tenancy
  • Charges for late payment of rent as stipulated by the Tenant Fees Act 2019
  • Cost of replacing keys or other security measures

Any other charges to tenants are prohibited by law. If you would like further clarification of the above then please request a copy of the Tenant Fees Act 2019: Guidance for landlord and agents, which we can provide to you.

Completion

Congratulations!

The property is now let. Keys will be released upon completion, to the inventory clerk or the tenant on moving-in day.

What’s your property worth?

Have you extended or renovated? Are you remortgaging or just curious to know how much someone will pay for your property?

Knowing what your property is worth may help you make those long-term decisions, we are happy to help.

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