Common Landlord questions for letting out a property

How do I start the process of renting my property out?

Firstly, contact Prospect Estate Agency! We will then arrange a time that is convenient for you to carry out a free, no obligation rental valuation. At this time, our expert agents will give you all of the information that you will require to begin the process of letting your property.

What costs are involved in lettings my property?

Costs can vary depending on the size of the property, whether it's furnished or unfurnished, how many bedrooms it has and the Property Management level you wish to join. For a complete breakdown of all of our Landlord Fees then click here. Our expert agents will be happy to discuss details of this with you following your free, no obligation rental valuation.

When will viewings occur? Do I need to be present for them?

We will conduct viewings of your property 7 days a week, from early morning to early evening. We will accompany prospective Tenants on all viewings, so your presence will not be required. We sometimes find that Tenants often feel more relaxed and ask more questions when the Landlord/owner is not present.

What happens with the tenants deposit?

The tenant’s deposit will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This is a government run scheme, allowing you to rest assured that the deposit is in safe hands and completely protected.

Can you arrange an inventory for my property?
How will you market my property for rental?

Prospect’s innovative marketing includes industry leading property particulars and a dynamic online strategy. As 88% of property searches begin online, we understand the importance of ensuring maximum online exposure for your property. We will promote your property on our main website prospect.co.uk, which receives over 1000 hits a day, alongside all the major property portals – including Rightmove. Click here to find out more about our marketing services for Lettings properties.

Do I need to inform my mortgage company that the property is being let?

Yes. There are often restrictions with regard to letting your property, which is likely to be prohibited without permission. It is rare for lenders to refuse permission and typically you will agree a time period in which you can legally let your home. Prospect are partnered with MAB, who can provide you with expert, independent mortgage advice.

Do you offer a Property Management Service?

Yes, our Property Management services are designed to take the stress out of being a full time Landlord. Our experienced Property Managers oversee everything from maintenance checks to complete refurbishment solutions, informing you of the latest legal requirements, taking care of your property and relieving you of the responsibility. Read more about our Property Management department, or contact them directly on 0118 955 9747.

Do you offer a protection service?

We understand that minimising the risk on your investment is always a priority for a Landlord. We can offer you options to suit your personal requirement for Legal Costs and Rent Protection Insurance (subject to T&C’s), when you rent your property through us.

Are you a member of any Lettings Associations?
Do I have the option to rent the rooms out individually rather than the entire property?

Yes. Prospect Rooms gives you the opportunity to achieve a higher yield for your property. Using our network of offices and Award Winning Lettings team, we can fill your vacant rooms quickly and dramatically increase the amount of rent you are receiving. Click here to find out more about Prospect Rooms.

What is an EPC and how long is it valid for?

It is a legal requirement for Landlords to have ordered an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before the property is marketed. This measures the energy efficiency of a property using a scale of A – G , new legislations requires an EPC to meet a standard rating of A to E and is valid for 10 years. Click here to find out more about EPCs.

What references will the tenant need to supply?

We will typically ask tenants for employment references and current Landlord references. We will carry out a credit check and you will need to provide us with photo I.D. and proof of address.

Will Prospect be contactable over the weekend?

Yes, our Lettings Agents and Property Management team are available to contact 7 days a week.

What safety regulations will I have to abide by having a rental property?

There are a number of safety and legal obligations that Landlords must adhere to when renting a property. These apply to gas safety, fire safety, electrical wiring, appliances and more. If you opt for our Premier or Overseas Property Management Services, we will ensure that you adhere to all legal obligations. We are happy to offer guidance and advice to all Landlords, no matter the service.

Who does my tenant contact if they have any problems or maintenance issues during their tenancy?

Your Tenant will contact you directly if they experience problems during their tenancy, unless you have opted for one of our Property Management Services.

Should I rent my property out furnished or unfurnished?

The choice is yours and you can discuss the best option to take with our expert agents. It is common for rental property to be let part furnished, e.g. with carpets, curtains and white goods in the kitchen.

Are smoke dectectors required if I let my property out?

It is a legal requirement for all residential tenancies to have at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of the property , where by the property is deemed a house in multiple occupation (HMO) licenced or unlicensed it is a legal requirement to have smoke alarms installed in each bedroom also.

We're proudly rated excellent by our clients on TrustPilot

'Prospect' has recently helped me with selling my flat although my property was not the easiest to sell. 'Prospect' is represented by a team of enthusiastic, hardworking, professional, hardworking people who don't easily give up. I definitely recommend 'Prospect'.
- Katarzyna.

I moved to Prospect from another Agency last year after a complete refurbishment of my flat ready to let and I am so glad I made the move! I am particularly impressed with Agnese and the way she is managing my property, very efficient, always cheerful and very helpful.
- Melanie.

Prospect Estate Agency is committed to conduct our operations in a fully compliant manner. We fully support and adhere to all regulations covering the industry including The Estate Agency Act 1979, Competition Act 1998, The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007, Consumer Protection Regulations 2008, Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, GDPR Act 2018, UK Competition Law, The Property Ombudsman Code of Practice and ARLA & Propertymark Protection.

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