Rentals & Lettings

At Gatehouse Estates Property Management Ltd we understand that landlords want piece of mind through rent guarantee & legal expenses cover. As even the best of tenants sometimes experience difficult times through redundancy, business failure, accident, sickness and relationship splits - things that can happen to anyone, often through no fault of their own. Under these circumstances, even the most efficient Letting Agent may not be able to collect the due rent. However, we can now offer Rent Guarantee and Legal expenses cover.

With rent guarantee & legal expenses cover we aim to minimise the risk involved through protecting the landlord’s rent during tenancy and providing legal expenses cover in the event of rent arrears or a dispute.

For most Landlords, receiving the rental income each month is number one priority. Rent Guarantee cover – if the tenant can’t pay the rent provides:

•   Rent guarantee on all rent Payments for up to a maximum 12 months
•   60 Days from non payment of rent, to register a claim
•   Excludes first month’s lost rent.
•   50% of the rent for up a further 3 months whilst re-letting, after vacant possession obtained
•   Cover is available for all type of tenants, incl self-employed, students & companies              

Legal expenses cover means landlords don’t pay legal costs for disputes. In case the unthinkable happens you’ll be covered for legal costs relating to disputes with tenants or unauthorized occupants.

• £50,000 worth of legal expenses cover. 
• Covers any Legal Tenancy dispute with Tenants.
• For arrears of rent, we chase up the Tenants after the first 31 days.
• For arrears of rent, solicitors issue all legal/eviction notices.
• All costs paid – no excess applies.

No paperwork, no hassle – we’ll take the admin off your hands!

The Cost of this policy is 3% of your monthly rental + 5% insurance premium tax.
Eg. £500 pcm x3% £15.00 x 5% £0.75 (ipt) = £15.75 per month
As part of our Management Service we will take care of all the application forms,
paperwork and administration required for this policy on your behalf.
To benefit from rent guarantee & legal expenses cover protection or for more information on rent guarantee & legal expenses cover please contact us (01480) 433933 or visit www.gatehouserental.co.uk
 P.S. Don’t forget the whole premium can be written off against tax.

There are many legal Landlord obligations that need to be in place before a tenant moves into a property.

The main Landlord obligations are as follows: 

• To cover the cost of all ground rent & services charges that apply to the property.
• To insure the building & any contents if the property is offered furnished.
• To gain permission from the mortgage lender to rent out the property.
• To make sure all furniture & furnishings (if provided by the landlord) comply with all regulations.
• To ensure a yearly gas-safety certificate is arranged on the property.
• If your property is leasehold you may require permission from the freeholder to sub-let.
• To cover the cost of any maintenance of appliances & equipment.
• To cover the cost of any maintenance needed on the property.
• Provision & maintenance of smoke alarms
• If you are an overseas landlord, apply for the Exemption Certificate from the Inland Revenue.
  

If you require any further information on Landlord Obligations please call (01480) 433933 or visit www.gatehouserental.co.uk

From 1st October 2008 all rental properties with a new tenancy agreement in England and
Wales will be required by law to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

If you rent out a property that does not have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) you could receive a £200 fine.
  
We can arrange for you to have a Energy Performance Certificate on your rented property by a fully accredited Domestic Energy Assessors. 

Our EPC for rental properties prices remain the same regardless of location, size of the property or number of bedrooms your rented property has.

Please call (01480) 456520 now to find out our fantastic rates in order to get your Energy Performance certificate (EPC) in place before 1st October 2008.
 
 

A property with a problem tenant is the biggest risk facing landlords, as often it is a bigger liability to have a bad tenant than no tenant at all.

This is due to the fact that often problem tenants do not pay their rent & usually damage your property. Then follows the long drawn out process of the legal proceedings in order to gain possession of the property back from the problem tenant.

At Gatehouse Estates all of the tenants are fully referenced and in the event that you are unlucky enough to have a problem tenant they offer a rent guarantee & legal expenses policy which gives all landlords total peace of mind knowing a dedicated legal team are working to obtain vacant possession back from the problem tenant and handle the entire process. Plus the rent guarantee payment takes away the pressure of trying to fund the money to cover the mortgage payment supporting the investment.

For more information please visit www.gatehouserental.co.uk or call (01480) 433933/(01234) 345353.

Gatehouse Estates Property Management need more houses to let in Letchworth Garden City.
We let this property within 24 hours of receiving the landlord’s instructions.

This 2 bedroom furnished flat was to let in Letchworth for around £1000 per month. If you have a property to let in Letchworth and need an efficient property management company to either provide a tenant finding service, or a fully management service. More information on this…
Contact Gatehouse Estates Property Management on 01480 433 933

Energy Performance Certificates for Rental Properties
From October 1st, 2008 all properties made available for rent will require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The report will be required for new tenancies only and will be valid for up to 10 years.

As you can imagine, the demand for Energy Performance Certificates (EPC´s) will be vast. With only qualified Domestic Energy Assessors being able to complete the EPC´s, there could well be a backlog leading to delays in rental agreements being able to be put into place.

Fortunately, as the reports will be valid for up to 10 years, there is nothing to stop you getting ahead of the game and ordering your EPC now. Additionally, if you alter the property it may even be worth buying a new Energy Performance Certificate. Landlords who regularly let to students will have heard many ask what the bills are. This is an excellent way to keep your property let by demonstrating the heat retention.

Gatehouse Estates Property Management has already arranged for a fast, efficient, professional service and with fees starting from just £70 plus VAT. Discounts are available for large property portfolios.

email us here for a quote, or call 01480 433933.

Gatehouse ´Rental´ have moved from their office in St Neots high street to a new office in Godmanchester.

The move was inspired by an increased demand from tenants for property to rent in the Huntingdon and Godmanchester areas. As Gatehouse Estates already had an office in Godmanchester, it seemed sensible to move to where the demand was. The office is located on the corner of The Causeway (by the river) at number 63 Cambridge street. Hours of business remain the same, but the telephone number has changed to 01480 433933.
To view a selection of properties available visit www.gatehouserental.co.uk

Tax Breaks for UK Landlords.

Landlords could be eligible for a maximum tax break of £1,500 per property against the cost of installing draught proofing, loft insulation, or insulation for hot water systems. The Government are keen to encourage all home owners, including landlords, to improve the energy rating of their properties.

Most landlords are unaware that they can make this tax deductable improvement to their rented property. Furthermore, it will improve the property’s energy rating when they have to conform to the new EPC ( Energy Performance Certificate ) scheme that comes into force in October 2008. By improving the energy performance rating, the landlord is simply improving their chances of letting sooner, and for more rent. Savvy tenants will want to see the energy rating of the property to rent, before they agree to let. With the cost of energy rising seemingly weekly, this will become a major decision maker.

This tax break is called LESA, Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance. Talk to your financial advisor for more information, or if you are local to our offices in Godmanchester, or Bedford, call in. Contact us

More articles on letting property and EPC’s……

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