FAQ - Landlords
Frequently Asked Questions and answers about letting property.
Q. How do I start renting my property out?
A. To start your journey, simply contact Blue Bricks Estates! One of our team of experts will arrange a convenient time for you to carry out a free, no obligation rental valuation and give you all the information you need to start letting out your property.
Q. How do I know how much rent to charge?
A. We’re experts in the market here at Blue Bricks Estates, so we will take into account how it compares to other properties in surrounding areas as well as local rental market conditions. We’ll consider all suitable strategies and advise you the best strategy for your property and what kind of yield you can hope to expect.
Q. Do I need to inform my mortgage lenders?
A. Yes, for you to let out your property you will need to obtain permission from your mortgage lender, and they may impose special conditions that you will need to let us know of. If you’re buying a new property you may be able to obtain a buy to let mortgage.
Q. Do I need to be present for viewings?
A. We will accompany prospective Tenants on all viewings, so your presence will not be required. We will provide you with feedback afterwards.
Q. What happens with tenants deposits?
A. At Blue Bricks Estates, we register deposits with a scheme such as My Deposits. The deposit is then either held by the landlord, Agent or the deposit scheme itself. The Deposit Scheme is there to protect the tenant’s money and help to resolve any disputes at the end of the tenancy.
Q. What is an inventory? Do I need one? and can you arrange an Inventory for my property?
A. An inventory is a record of the condition of your property and all of its contents. We would strongly advise for you to use a professional inventory as it helps protect your property and forms part of the contract between you and the tenant. For example, if there is a dispute at the end of the tenancy, you’ll have proof of the original condition. Blue Bricks Estates can help organise an inventory for your property.
Q. What references will the tenant need to supply?
A. We will typically ask tenants for employment references and current Landlord references. We will carry out a credit check and they will need to provide us with photo I.D. and proof of address.
Q. Do I pay tax on Rental Income?
A. Landlords could be liable to pay tax on their rental income regardless of living the UK or overseas. More information can be found on the inland revenue website.
Q. Do I need specific insurance?
A. Standard home insurances do not cover for a range of scenarios that arise when the property is on let. Therefore, we strongly advise you to have specialised landlord insurance to cover your property.
Q. Who is responsible for paying council tax?
A. The tenant will usually be responsible for paying the council tax, but it should be stated on the tenancy agreement. If the property is vacant then the responsibility falls back onto the landlord.
Q. Who is responsible for the TV license?
A. The tenant will usually be responsible, but it should be stated on the tenancy agreement. However, if the landlord furnishes the property with a tv, they would be expected to pay the license fee.
Q. What is ARLA Propertymark?
A. The ARLA Propertymark is the leading professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. ARLA Propertymark is dedicated to protecting consumers by improving standards and professionalism within the lettings industry.
Q. What is TPO?
A. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is an independent body to which landlords can refer any complaint should the agent fail to address it to their satisfaction.
Q. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
A. An EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the UK. This measures the energy efficiency of a property using a scale of A – G, new legislations require an EPC to meet a standard rating of A to E and is valid for 10 years. Blue Bricks Estates can advise you on how to obtain the certificate through a qualified domestic energy assessor.
Q. Are smoke detectors required if I let my property out?
A. It is a legal requirement for all residential tenancies to have at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of the property.
