Part of Countrywide - The UK`s largest estate

Part of Countrywide - The UK’s largest
estate agency and property services Group.
I used Hetheringtons
to let out my first property.
The team were always really
helpful and always kept me
up to date throughout the
whole process, making the
situation completely
Excellent service from
start to finish. I was very
stress-free.
impressed how the let of my
property was handled. Far better
than other agents I have used
before. Can’t recommend
highly enough!
About
Hetheringtons
Hetheringtons is a well respected network of agents
specialising in the lettings, rental, purchasing and sale of
exclusive homes in town, village and rural locations. From
luxury apartments to character cottages, larger family homes
to modern executive houses, country estates to equestrian
properties our aim is to exceed expectations both in our style
and in the extent of marketing coverage.
We pride ourselves on providing a very personalised service
to each of our clients which is why we employ some of
the finest, most professional, highly skilled
individuals in the market.
Amazing lettings agent.
By far the best I have
ever dealt with. Will most
definitely be using
them again.
Professional and local
knowledge of the current
market conditions meant
that my requirements were
fulfilled in a very short time
period as promised. They
let our property out in 5
working days!
Timed to
perfection
We:
• Move as fast as you need us to
• Conduct in-depth market appraisals
• Implement marketing plans that don’t waste
your time or money
• Provide regular feedback and expert advice on
the current lettings market
• Provide you with better commercial
arrangements the more properties you
instruct us to let
• Match the right tenant profile to your property
and conduct thorough reference checks
• Invest in industry-leading training
• Connect you with the UK’s largest sales and
lettings network who assist over 60,000
landlords each year
Should I let in the
current market?
Demand for quality rental properties is currently at
record levels, primarily due to the lack of properties
available for rent.
Our experts will help ensure you receive the maximum
possible rental return for your property by using the
latest state of the art rental reports combined with
our unique understanding of the local market and our
rental demand forecasts based on your property’s
location, condition, size and quality.
*As of Oct 2012
Be thoroughly
prepared before you
let your property
Ensure your property is
•
•
•
•
Presentable, clean and tidy
Free from damage and damp
Ready for viewing with all repairs and refurbishments completed
Free from any structural conditions such as subsidence
Externally
•
•
•
•
•
•
Repair cracks and holes in the walls
Clean or paint the doors, window frames and walls
Ensure the house number is visible and rubbish bins are hidden away
Tidy the garden and mend broken fences
Clear the drains and gutters
Gardens or sheds should be kept clean and secure
Internally
• Create more space by removing unnecessary clutter and fitting effective storage solutions
throughout
• Fix any cracks in the walls, broken tiles or locks, replace burned-out light bulbs and carry out all
other minor repairs
• Repaint rooms in neutral tones and have the property professionally cleaned
• Make sure your property is presented at its best to attract a suitably high calibre of tenant
%
20.34
UK Tenant Profile
Students = 5.22%
%
17.44
Graduates = 4.64%
Singles = 17.44%
Couples under 35 = 20.34%
%
15.88
Couples over 35 = 14.24%
Young families (parents 20 - 29) =15.88%
Middle families aged (parents 30 – 49) = 12.90%
5.22%
Older families (parents above + 50) = 5.67%
Other = 3.48%
Based on CRL’s October 2013 UK quarterly survey results (331 branches)
4.64%
%
14.24
%
12.90
5.67%
3.48%
We’ll market
your property on
96%
of the UK’s leading
property portals*
*March 2013 Hitwise Report.
Innovative
marketing
Our professional staff will develop a promotional plan to help
you avoid costly void periods by promoting your property via
striking “To Let” boards, in-branch displays, canvassing and
presence on the UK’s leading property portals.
We will ensure your property has unparalleled online
coverage on Rightmove, Primelocation, Findaproperty,
Zoopla, Propertywide and emerging digital media.
We are the only national lettings business to invest in cutting edge technology on the scale we
have in recent years to provide the best lettings experience possible whether customers use PCs,
laptops, tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices.
Making a difference
in the communities
we serve
We are passionate about making a real difference for our
chosen charities which include the Bobby Moore Fund,
Making a positive contribution
British
Heart
Foundation,
Breast
Cancerthe
Care,
to the
local
community
across
UKSport Relief,
Shelter and The Children’s Trust Tadworth. Through our
A record
£100,000
raised
staff’s fund
raising activities
wefor
werecharities
able to raise over
and
local
communities
across
the UK
£500,000 for charity in 2013.
Making a positive contribution
Making a positive contribution
to the
local community
across the UK
provide a subsidised
Cyclescheme
and carshare
he localWe
community
across
UK
initiatives forA
our
staff to £100,000
improve health
and reduce
our
record
raised
for charities
£100,000
raised
for
charities
...and
more! footprint.
carbon
and local
communities across the UK
al communities
across
the UK
and Financial
ton raised
h UK and Shelter
k Marathon.
> Members of the Blundells senior management
team auctioned off themselves as ‘Slaves for
a Day’ and rasied £2,752 for the Whirlow Hall
Farm Trust to enable disabled children from
five local schools to visit Whirlow Hall Farm in
Sheffield.
es include the
> Blundells branches throughout Sheffield
eart Foundation,
and North Derbyshire joined forces to raise
lief, Shelter and
£5,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
h which we have
,000 for in 2011.
lleague to Cystic
edicated Jake
Chairman’s
Cancer Research UK
British Heart Foundation
ts as a fundraiser
> Members of the Blundells senior management
senior management 2011 Highlights:
team auctioned off themselves as ‘Slaves for
lves
as ‘Slaves for > Group CEO Grenville Turner and Financial
Workplace
a Day’ and rasied £2,752 for the Whirlow Hall
or the
Whirlow
ees,
which
has Hall
Services Director Nigel Stockton raised
Farm Trust to enable disabled children from
ed
children
from
a HR
industry
£50,000 for Cancer Research UK and Shelter
five local schools to visit Whirlow Hall Farm in
hirlow Hall Farm in
by competing in the New York Marathon.
Sheffield.
itiatives were
> Countrywide’s chosen charities include the
>
Blundells branches throughout Sheffield
hout
Sheffield
e employee
Bobby Moore Fund, British Heart Foundation,
and North Derbyshire joined forces to raise
forces to raise
ndfootprint.
Breast Cancer Care, Sport Relief, Shelter and
£5,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
Hospital Charity.
The Childeren’s Trust Tadworth which we have
branches on
helped to raise a further £18,000 for in 2011.
mpact on the
We’re conscious about our environmental impact so use
paper approved by The Forest Stewardship Council and
recycle more than 15 tonnes of paper per year.
munities.
...and more!
oved by The
nd has recycled
British
Heart
Red
Nose
DayFoundation
Cancer Research UK
Headway
British Heart Foundation
Headwayin Need
Children
Shelter
Red Nose
‘Slaves
for Day
a Day’ for the Whirlow Farm Trust
Headway
‘Slaves for a Day’ for the Whirlow Farm Trust
Red Nose Day
Shelter
‘Slaves for a Day’ for the Whirlow Farm Trust
> Following the sad loss of a colleague to Cystic
Fibrosis, Countrywide has a dedicated Jake
Hubbard
Award at
Cancer
Research
UKthe annual Chairman’s
Children
in
Need
Awards and the ceremony acts as a fundraiser
for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
ontributions to
> Countrywide launched a new Workplace
Giving scheme for all employees, which has
te £35 of
been nationally recognised in a HR industry
e Eleanor
award.
child to have
> Cyclescheme and carshare initiatives were
r a day.
launched nationally to improve employee
nards Hospice in
health and reduce our carbon footprint.
ntributions and
> Guidance has been issued to branches on
ensively via To
how to have a more positive impact on the
ising.
enviroment in their local communities.
nsor school books
s to fund new
> Countrywide use paper approved by The
d youth projects.
Red
Nose
Day
Stewardship
Council and has recycled
RedForest
Nose
Day
20 tonnes in the last year.
> We support teams to make contributions to
local causes, e.g.
> Gravesend branches donate £35 of
each new instruction to the Eleanor
Lions Hospice to pay for a child to have
Chemotherapy at home for a day.
> £10,400 raised for St Leonards Hospice in
York by matching £20 contributions and
promoting the hospice extensively via To
Let boards and bus advertising.
> Tyne & Wear branches sponsor school books
and anti-bullying campaigns to fund new
Shelter
neighbourhood policing and youth projects.
Our people
We pride ourselves on attracting and developing the very best people to ensure
we constantly refine and improve our award-winning lettings services.
Our staff have access to the latest rental indices so they can provide
comprehensive advice on all facets of the lettings market including residential,
student, corporate and prestige lettings.
Check your
let online
We have introduced a dedicated Landlord Zone
which enables you to have more control over
information you need, when you need it.
When you let your property through us on a
Standard Lettings Service or Fully Managed
Service option our innovative new service
will allow you to log into your own secure
online area to view and download
statements. If you are a landlord with
multiple properties you will see all of
your properties conveniently grouped
together.
Navigating
legislation
Energy Assessments
Landlords need to produce an EPC every time they let their property
(www.communities.gov.uk in England and Wales or www.scotland.gov.uk)
Gas
Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use)
Regulations 1998, and carry out all necessary maintenance to gas
appliances, gas pipe work and flues in their property through a Gas Safe
registered engineer. You are also legally responsible to arrange for an
annual gas safety check to be carried out on on every appliance and flue,
provide a record of the check to existing tenants within 28 days of the
check being carried out (or before new tenants move in) and hold records
of the checks for a minimum of 2 years from the date they are carried out
(www.gassaferegister.co.uk)
Furniture & Furnishings
It is an offence to let a property with any furniture or furnishings that do
not comply with safety regulations set out in the Furniture and Furnishings
(Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended in 1989 and 1993 (www.
firesafe.org.uk)
Smoke Detectors
Since June 1992 building regulations have required that all properties built
have smoke detectors installed. Properties built after June 1992 must have
mains operated smoke detectors fitted on each floor. Special, additional
conditions apply for higher risk premises (www.direct.gov.uk)
Electricity
Landlords need to ensure that all electrics and electrical equipment in their
properties are safe and will not cause harm (Electrical Equipment (Safety)
Regulations 1994) (www.niceic.org.uk)
The Housing Act 2004 (HMO Regulations)
All property owners must comply with the regulations relating to Houses in
Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Penalties for breach of these laws are severe with
fines of up to £20,000 for failure to obtain a licence or for breaching permitted
numbers and tenants may be able to claim back rent they have paid whilst the
HMO has been operating without a licence. (www.legislation.gov.uk)
Mortgage and Leasehold
If you have a mortgage you must obtain consent from your mortgage lender. If
your interest in the property is leasehold, you may also need to obtain consent
from your landlord (or Freeholder) prior to sub-letting.
Tax
You are required to pay income tax on rental income and have a legal
responsibility to notify HM Revenue and Customs. If you reside outside the UK
for more than six months out of twelve the rent receiving agent has a statutory
obligation to deduct basic rate tax on the net income and make quarterly
payments to HM Revenue and Customs on your behalf. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk
or contact one of our Tax Advisors for more information on your tax obligations.
Insurance
Standard home owner insurance may well be invalidated when you let your
property. Our Lets-Cover insurance policies provide landlords and tenants with
a range of insurance solutions at competitive premiums. Visit www.lets-cover.
co.uk for more information or an instant quotation.
Landlord Building & Contents and Tenants Contents Insurances are provided by
and underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc.
Terms and conditions, exclusions, limitations and eligibility criteria apply.
AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lets-cover is a trading name ofCountrywide Residential Lettings Limited, which
is an Appointed Representative of Countrywide Principal Services which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered address: 4th Floor,
Thamesgate House, 33-41 Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, SS2 6DF.
One of the most
comprehensive
lettings services
available in the
market today
We help a wide variety of landlords and manage numerous
property portfolios. We don’t believe “one size fits all”.
We take a consultative approach to understanding exactly
what you want to achieve so we can recommend the right
service plan for you.
Lettings
services
Over 1300
estate agency
and lettings
branches**
Whether you’d like us to manage just one
property or a large portfolio, we have the
lettings solution to meet your needs.
Full Management
Service
Standard Lettings
Service
Tenant Introduction
Service
Market appraisal
3
3
3
Comprehensive marketing, advertising and property viewings
3
3
3
Tenant selection, introduction, and referencing
3
3
3
Preparation of the tenancy agreement*
3
3
3
Tenancy extension agreements*
3
3
3
Tenancy deposit administration*
3
3
3
Gas, Electricity, and Energy Performance Certifications*
3
3
3
Inventories and schedules of condition*
3
3
3
Lets-Cover buildings and contents insurance*
3
3
3
Transfer of rents
3
3
Tax advice and Rental Income reports*
3
3
Legal Advice*
3
3
Notify utilities at beginning and end of the tenancy
3
Arranging routine repairs and maintenance under £250
3
Project management of repairs and refurbishments*
3
Payment of property related outgoings
3
Routine property visits*
3
Expert property advice
3
Our Service
*Additional charges will apply for this service and are highlighted in orange. Basic services are highlighted in blue.
**As part of the Countrywide group.
Award winning
service
With an extensive team of skilled property
managers, legal specialists, tax teams and support
staff working around the clock we’ll get all your
monies paid as quickly as possible.
All our staff regularly undertake a wide variety of
specialist courses with expert training teams to
ensure we provide superior customer care.
Our commitment to excellence has been
acknowledged by the lettings industry who have
awarded Countrywide Residential Lettings over
40 lettings awards in the last 5 years*.
*For more information on our recent award wins please visit www.propertywide.co.uk/awards
Tangible results
for landlords
• Being part of the UK’s biggest and most successful property services group
• Having your property listed on websites which are visited 74 million times per month*
• Currently helping over 60,000** landlords every year with their lettings needs
• Registered 450,000 tenant applicants in the last 12 months***
• Supported by central social media presence who blog and tweet to over 2,000 subscribers
every week
• Offering a range of landlords services from over 1,300 locations across the UK
• £3.5 million invested in technology enabling landlords to manage their portfolios more
easily
• Market leading investment in technology to ensure our landlords’ properties are always
showcased in the best light. Whether properties are viewed on a laptop, mobile phone, PC
or other device landlords can be assured their properties are being showcased properly.
* March 2013 hitwise reports
** As at March 2013
*** Oct 2012 to Sep 2013, Countrywide Residential Lettings network
Protect yourself
from tenant arrears
Safeguard your rental income
Terms and conditions, exclusions and limitations
and eligibility criteria apply
underwritten by
DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.
lets-cover is a trading name of Countrywide Residential Lettings Limited, which is an
Appointed Representative of Countrywide Principal Services Limited, which is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered address: 4th Floor,
Thamesgate House, 33-41 Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, SS2 6DF
Building and Contents
Insurance developed
specifically for landlords
Comprehensive insurances for landlords which include:
• Accidental damage cover as standard
• Theft and malicious damage by tenant (contents cover)
• 10% premium discount if both buildings and contents selected*
• Alternative accommodation or loss of rent up to 30% of the buildings sum insured (buildings cover)
mum protection
ped specifically
ndlords
Full policy details are available upon request
Please contact your nearest branch for a quotation or alternatively apply online at:
www.lets-cover.co.uk
* Subject to minimum premium
underwritten by
AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lets-cover is a trading
name of Countrywide Residential Lettings Limited, which is an Appointed Representative of Countrywide
Principal Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 4th Floor,
Thamesgate House, 33-41 Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, SS2 6DF
Produced by Countrywide Residential Lettings
Registered in England No 2995024, Registered Office: 4th Floor, Thamesgate House, 33-41 Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6DF. VAT No. GB 212551112