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Why choose us?
The talanted and professional team of staff continually strive to provide a high quality an personal level of customer service to all their clients.
Landlords
Letting your property can be a stressful time especially if you are not receiving the right advice. At realty property solutions ltd we aim to guide you through the process one step at a time. The following information provides helpful tips and advice to help you let your property successfully.
We are accountable to our clients and, therefore, we will do our utmost to ensure you are fully aware and prepared for your property to be occupied by the tenants recommended to you. We take care in carefully matching prospective tenants with our client's requirements. Full references and credit checks will be taken up through Homelet, an outsourced referencing and insurance company. The final decision and approval will always be the client's.
People viewing your property will always compare it to the others available. Its condition and appearance will affect both the rental value and the speed at which it is let. Make the most of its appearance - first impressions count.
Here at realty property solutions ltd we have our own dedicated departments set up to deal with the specialist areas within the lettings industry providing our clients with the best attention and advice from staff trained within their specialist field. The departments are separated as follows:
The Property Management department
We believe that clients opting for us to look after their property and oversee the tenancy require specialist advice and 100% attention to any issues that may arise. This department is responsible for overseeing and arranging any agreed maintenance relating to your property, organising up to date safety certificates, carrying out periodic inspections to ascertain the current condition of your property, carrying out the final check of the property on tenants departure dates and dealing with any deposit disputes.
The Client Accounts department
As we are members of A.R.L.A. Association of Residential Letting Agents) we are governed by their and R.I.C.S. (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) code of conduct in relation to client accounting and the holding of other peoples money. This involves rigorous security checks and regular stringent reconciliation in order to supply A.R.L.A. with regular chartered accountant reports. This department uses the most up to date accounting software to monitor incoming rent payments and to ensure clients receive payments and statement of accounts within 7 working days of us receiving the monies. We are also covered by client money protection insurance to safeguard clients monies from any eventuality.
The Residential Lettings (new business) department
We have three full time members of staff dealing solely with taking on new properties, finding new tenants, administering all paperwork and advising on the correct rent and market conditions for your property. This department is responsible for visiting you at your property to advise on market rents and service levels, carrying out accompanied viewings with tenants, updating all websites with up to date information and photos, advises on up to date legislation, organise inventories (depending on service level), organise Energy performance Certificates and any other safety certificates required, drawing up of Tenancy Agreements and all other aspects leading up to the tenancy start date.
Q: What services do you offer?
We are aware that some people want to leave everything to us, especially if they are overseas or leading busy lives where calls about a leaking tap or blocked drain would be a nuisance. Others, however, want to be actively involved in the business of renting their property.
Our staff will be happy to discuss the various options and costs with you. All of our fees are subject to VAT.
Our servicesrealty Letsecure+
Letting and full management service. Advertising and introducing a tenant to the property, the transferral of rents, quarterly inspections and the management of the tenancy. The point of contact for both landlord and tenant is ourselves, there is no communication direct unless otherwise specified. Also included free for the first 6 months only is rent and legal insurance.
realty Letsafe
Letting only service. The advertising and introducing a tenant to the property. Tenants will be supplied with the landlord's contact details to discuss maintenance and management issues.
Please contact us to discuss these services and other services available in more detail. We can come to see you in your home to discuss our fee structure based on a bespoke service just for you.
Q: Will I still need insurance?
Most property owners will have buildings and contents insurance covering for their own occupation of the property. Always check your policy documentation if you are considering renting as most products will not insure for 'tenanted occupation'. We are premier agents with national insurers homelet, therefore we are able to provide quotes for all insurance products. We would always advise contents insurance even for unfurnished properties, this will protect your carpets, any white goods in the kitchen and your decor!!
We are also able to offer rent and legal insurance policies. There are various policies that can cover you for loss of rent and legal costs should you have to take your tenants to court (subject to individual cases), you can even have this insurance with no excess. We offer free rent and legal insurance for all letsecure and letsecure+ tenancies for the initial 6 months.
Q: Do I need to organise an inventory?
Before your tenant takes over occupation of your property we will instruct (subject to level of service) an independent inventory clerk to compile the inventory and schedule and condition of your property. This will be carried out just after you have departed and just before the tenant takes over.
Everything will be noted exactly as you leave it, so be sure that the property is in good clean order. The inventory will then be issued to your tenants, they will be asked to check the document over the following 5-7 days and return it to us signed (and amended wherever necessary). This signed copy will then be used for the 'check out' which is carried out on the day of the tenants vacation.
Q: What areas do we cover?
We cover a wide area from Wareham to Verwood (as per map on home page). We have high profile internet advertising and local press adverts which enable us to generate enquiries over a wide catchment area. We also work with some major companies in the area and house their staff whenever they have employees relocating within this country and from abroad.
Q: Do I need to register with a deposit scheme?
We are members of The Dispute Service so you will not need to register if you opt for us to manage your tenancy, however, if you opt for a non-managed service you will need to register with a scheme and supply us with a certificate. Many landlords in the private sector receive a deposit against possible non-payment of rent or damage to property. When a tenancy comes to an end, there is usually no disagreement about the return of the deposit. But sometimes there is, and this can cause much hardship and inconvenience to both landlord and tenant.
The Housing Act 2004 (Chapter 4, sections 212-5; & Schedule 10) made provision for both the protection of tenancy deposits and the resolution of disputes over their return. The Dispute Service has been awarded a contract by the Government to run one such scheme: The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
The legislation came into effect on 6 April 2007. All deposits taken for Assured Shorthold Tenancies after that date must covered by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. We register all deposits for tenancies that we manage (Letsecure+ only) with the dispute service, for further information log onto www.thedisputeservice.co.uk.
Q: Will I need an energy performance certificate?
From October 2008 landlords offering property for rent will be required by law to provide prospective tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate for their property.
The certificates ('EPCs') will have to be provided free either when (or before) any written information about the property is provided to prospective tenants or a viewing is conducted.
A new certificate will not be required on each let since, in the case of rental property, EPCs will be valid for 10 years. The requirement is being introduced to comply with the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) which applies to all property, including rented property. This became law in 2003 and allowed until January 2009 for full implementation so as to provide time for sufficient numbers of energy assessor to be trained.
About us
Deciding which agent to instruct to let your property can, for some landlords, be a very daunting experience.
As a homeowner or investment landlord who has taken care and pride in their property, you want to know that your letting agent will find tenants that will continue to maintain the property to the highest of standards. realty are members of A.R.L.A (Association of Residential Letting Agents) and the National Approved Letting Scheme, (N.A.L.S) both are government initiatives set up to ensure high standards throughout the lettings industry.
N.A.L.S and A.R.L.A affiliated agents must have professional indemnity insurance and client money protection cover giving you the added benefit that your affairs are in good hands. Associated membership requires that agents follow a certain code of practice and have complaints procedures and qualified staff giving you the best advice.
Joining N.A.L.S and or A.R.L.A is essential for any agent within the industry who wishes to offer the highest standards of service and integrity.
As an associated member we receive regular updates on changing legislation, to ensure that our contracts and business methods are kept up to date. We are continually striving to provide quality service within the residential lettings sector. Our aim is to provide a no-nonsense professional service where all client needs are met and delivered at the right price and on time.
Be careful when choosing a letting agent as many are not associated with any governing body and are therefore not audited or regulated to ensure certain basic standards are met. Ask the agent if they have:
- Staff qualified to national A.R.L.A. standards
- Client money protection
- Separate client accounts with regular audits
- Customer complaints procedure
- Professional indemnity insurance
If the answer to any of these is 'no' then you would be wise not to use the agent, remember any mistakes or poor advice could be very costly to you in the long run.
We concentrate on the letting and management of residential property in the Bournemouth and Poole areas, we also offer a property sales service if you ever wish to sell your rented property. we can provide a dedicated first class professional service with a happy balance of knowledge, experience and professionalism with a friendly personable approach to our clients.
Jonathan Alsford
Director