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dedicated property management team & offices...
Each member of the 11 strong team has a specific role and responsibilities, reflecting their area of expertise. This allows a more thorough and speedy response to your requests and requirements. The Property Management Department is separate from our Sales and Lettings, in both roles and in offices. This means that each department can get on with what they're good at. The Lettings teams are skilled in finding tenants for your property, whilst the Property Management teams are dedicated to caring for your property and tenants during the tenancy. But whilst the different departments have different parts to play in the lettings process, you can be assured that they are still working together to offer the best in service to you, the landlord.
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open 6 days a week with 24/7 emergency line for tenants...
Our Property Management Department is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30, and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 17:00. The branches have the same opening hours, with Chorlton opening on Sundays too.
In the peak periods when the department is very busy, mid-June through to mid-September, we work extended hours, so that we're available to deal with as many enquiries as possible.
In addition, we operate a 24/7 emergency repair telephone line, so that you can be sure that we are always on hand to deal with any unexpected problems your tenants face.
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advice on marketing strategy, achievable rents & attracting tenants...
Working together, our Lettings and Property Management Teams are specialists in the Manchester Rental Market. We have been operating as the biggest letting agent in the area for over 15 years.
We offer every landlord who is interested in our Property Management Services a free appraisal, where we will visit your property and evaluate the accommodation, and advise on what the demand will be, and the likely rental income that can be achieved, as well as any improvements or changes that could be made to increase these to get a quicker let at the best possible terms. We will also advise on the most suitable tenants, and how to target them.
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advice and help on regulations & best practice...
As every professional landlord knows, there has been a flood of new legislation designed to improve standards in rental accommodation, and amongst private landlords- Tenancy Deposit Protection, HMO Licensing, Selective Licensing.
Then there are the safety standards that have long been in place, such as Gas and Electrical Safety, and Furniture and Furnishing Regulations.
For many landlords, it has made the lettings process a minefield, with hefty fines for non-compliance, and mixed information abounding.
homes4u have implemented training and procedures to make sure that we're up-to-speed with all the latest developments and advice, and can make abiding by the regulations as easy as possible for our managed landlords. For example, we handle all aspects of gaining a license.
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quotes for specialised landlord insurance...
Many landlords experience difficulty in obtaining suitable insurance to cover their property whilst it is let. We have forged links with independent insurance intermediaries Endsleigh. After consultations with landlords who primarily deal with young professionals and student tenants, they have drawn together their established expertise alongside the needs of landlords to create an exclusive insurance policy.
Their comprehensive and competitively priced policy has been specifically designed for the specialist landlords' needs.
obtain quote now...
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furniture packages...
We have successful relationships with several interior design companies, offering ranges to suit all budgets and styles. We will co-ordinate the project for you, and ensure that everything is completed to a high standard, recording details on the property file for future insurance and inventory purposes.
examples of packages available
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renovation and refurbishment services...
A very important feature of our management service is our proactive approach to looking after your property. From essential repairs to cosmetic touches, we will give you guidance on making the most of your investment, obtain quotes where required, and project managing the process.
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full marketing of your property...
With everything in place , and having recieved comprehensive advice and guidance on how to make the most of your property investment, the next step is to find suitable tenants for your property. This process can begin as quickly as the day of your free appraisal!
homes4u employs a highly sophisticated computer letting system which is “networked” between all of its branches ensuring wide marketing coverage for your property. Our website receives over 19,000 viewers a month. In Jan, Feb and March 2006, we received over 3,000 viewing requests via our website. We also advertise on www.rightmove.co.uk and other well known property search engines.
We are also able to offer an array of other advertising vehicles to encourage the maximum amount of prospective tenants viewing your property, including adverts in the local press and in our branches.
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regular feedback regarding potential tenants and viewings...
During the marketing process, our Lettings teams will keep you up-to-date with progress, and offer guidance where necessary to avoid void periods. Our systems ensure that information regarding interest is logged across our branches. Whilst it is important to achieve a quick let at a good price, it is also important that the tenants are suitable, and we will offer you advice on that too.
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negotiation with suitable tenants & effective tenant referencing...
Once a party is interested in your property, we will negotiate terms, ensuring the most suitable length of tenancy and best possible price. We will also employ effective credit referencing for professional tenants, via Endsleigh, and obtain guarantors for all student tenants. We will always check the details of the tenants and the tenancy with you for consent to let before going ahead with an agreement.
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quality tenancy agreements, drawn up and updated by legal advisors...
Our tenancy agreements are regularly checked and updated by legal professionals to offer the most secure contract possible for our landlords. Most commonly we use a plain-English Standard Assured Shorthold Agreement, however we have solid agreements at hand for other situations that arise, such as Company Lets.
Our agreements cover all recent changes in legislation, such as Tenancy Deposit Protection and HMO regulations, and offer fair and clear terms to landlords and tenants alike.
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deposit administration- including detailed content & condition inventories...
In order to comply with the legislation, which states that all Assured Shorthold Tenancy deposits, up to £25,000, taken after 6th April, must be protected in one of three Government appointed schemes. homes4u take care of all aspects of this.
Within 14 days of receiving a new deposit, we protect the monies, and provide tenants with all of the information required by law. At the end of the tenancy, we conduct an inspection, based upon the detailed inventory carried out prior to move-in, taking photographic evidence where necessary, and liaise with the tenants to ensure that all parties are happy. Upon receipt of evidence of final-bill payment, we will liaise with the tenants to agree the refund of the money, subject to any agreed deductions for works.
In the event of any dispute, we will endeavour to reach an amicable agreement through discussion with yourself and the tenants. If necessary we will work with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Service, the independent body appointed by the government to help resolve any disputes in the event that an agreement cannot be reached by the parties alone. The scheme will retain the disputed amount until a conclusion is reached.
With careful preparation, research and training, homes4u has implemented checks and procedures to ensure that the process of deposit administration goes as smoothly as possible, and does not result in void periods or fines.
read more on TDP, and download goverment guidance
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detailed content & condition inventories, + periodic inspections...
Before the commencement of each new tenancy, our inspections clerk will prepare a detailed inventory of the property, logging information on the condition of the property and any existing damage, as well as of the contents.
From this report, a list of any repairs or improvements will be made for discussion with you. The tenants will then have the opportunity to review the inventory report, and will be asked the sign and acknowledge the property contents and condition as recorded.
homes4u will arrange periodic inspection reports. It should be appreciated that such inspections would embrace only apparent, obvious defects and would not amount in any way to a structural or complete survey. We partly rely on tenants reporting defects to us. Any special inspections can be arranged upon request through homes4u.
Periodic inspections also provide us with the opportunity to highlight to the tenants any areas that are likely to lead to deductions from there deposit, and this is backed up by detailed guidance notes on moving out, which provides information on common deductions, and how they can be avoided.
At the end of the tenancy, another detailed inventory inspection takes place, where property contents and condition are reviewed against the move-in report, and any differences or deteriorations are logged, with photographic evidence taken where appropriate. Issues of fair wear and tear and of essential repairs will then be discussed with you for authorisation in order to minimise void periods. Issues of tenant neglect or damage will then be dealt with via our deposit administration process for deductions.
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ongoing key management...
All keys entrusted to homes4u have kept securely, with detailed logs of their movements. Our systems allow us to keep track, and this is monitored by our Viewings and Key Co-ordinator.
We're on hand to release keys to contractors, surveyors and tenants, with proper security checks and signing in and out procedures.
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setting up of standing orders, rent collection, monthly accounting to owner...
Our experienced Property Management team includes accounting staff, who will collect rent on your behalf on a monthly basis. The latest in software assists in the tracking and transferring of funds, and ties in up-to-date invoices and payments recieved to allow us to pay over monies to you accurately after deduction of fees and any taxes or expenditure applicable.
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detailed advice & statements...
Each monthly payment to yourself will be accompanied by a detailed statement, which can be sent to you by post or via e-mail, and even summarised in a text if requested. Copy invoices for any agreed expenditure, such as repairs, will also be forwarded. Any queries will be quickly and efficiently handled by our Accounts team.
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debt monitoring & service of appropriate notices...
Throughout the tenancy rent payment is carefully monitored so that any arrears can be dealt with swiftly. Every effort will then be made to resolve the issue, in communication with both landlord and tenant. Where this is not possible, we can issue required notices. We can also liaise with solicitors, either providing recommendations, or with your appointed solicitor. In addition we ensure the correct issuing of standard Section 21 notices.
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management of approved maintenance & monitoring of approved contractors...
Throughout the tenancy, homes4u can carry out all routine repairs within our agreed parameters. Quotes for works over and above the agreed value will be discussed with you, wherever possible, for your approval. homes4u can be contacted 24 hours a day on our emergency line for any tenant with an urgent repair.
homes4u employs a Maintenance Supervisor whose responsibility is for the protection of your property. We only engage the services of quality contractors, on competitive terms for our clients, most of whom we have had long term successful business relationships with. Only C.O.R.G.I registered heating engineers and N.I.C.E.I.C registered electricians are instructed.
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 download our Property Management Agreement
request a free property appraisal
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