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Before a property can be let, there are several lawful matters which the
owner will need to comply with.
Mortgage
Leaseholds
Sub-letting
Insurance
Bills
and regular outgoings
Council tax
The
inventory
Income tax
Important safety
regulations:
-
Electrical
-
Furnishings
- Gas
-
General Products
Preparing the property for letting
General condition
Appliances Decorations
Furnishings
Personal items
Gardens
Cleaning
Mail
forwarding
Info
for tenants
Keys
Mortgage
If
your property is mortgaged, you are required to obtain your mortgagee's
written consent to the letting. Additional clauses in the tenancy
agreement may be required of which you must inform us.
Leaseholds
If
you are a leaseholder, you should check the terms of your lease, and
obtain the necessary written consent before letting.
Insurance
You
should ensure that you have suitable cover for both your buildings and
contents insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your
policies.
Bills and regular outgoings
By
prior written agreement we may make payment of certain bills on your
behalf, providing that bills are received in your name at our office,
and that sufficient funds are held to your credit.
Council tax
Council tax is the responsibility of the occupier. You should inform
your local collection office that you are leaving the property. During
vacant periods the charge reverts to the owner. When unoccupied but
furnished, the charge is 50% of the normal rate. When unoccupied and
'substantially' unfurnished, there is no charge for the first six
months, and thereafter a charge of 50% of the normal rate.
The inventory
It is
most important that an inventory of contents and schedule of condition
be prepared, in order to avoid misunderstanding or dispute at the end of
a tenancy. Without such safeguards, it will be impossible for the
landlord to prove any loss, damage, or significant deterioration of the
property or contents. In order to provide a complete service to the
landlord, we will, if requested, arrange for a member of staff to prepare
a video inventory and schedule of condition, at a cost to be quoted
unless already included in your package.
Income tax
When
the landlord is resident in the UK, it is entirely his responsibility to
inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received, and to pay any tax
due. However, where the landlord is resident outside the UK during a
tenancy, under new rules effective from 6 April 1996, unless an
exemption certificate is held, we as landlord's agents are obliged to
retain and forward to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis, an amount
equal to the basic rate of income tax from rental received, less certain
expenses. An application form for exemption can be obtained from us, and
further information may be obtained from the Inland Revenue.
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