To accurately value your property, we will consider a range of factors including its location, number of bedrooms, proximity to local services and amenities, and its overall condition and presentation.
Based on this, we will provide you with guidance on a realistic rental value, taking into account current market conditions to ensure your property is competitively positioned and attracts suitable contract-holders.
Managing a rental property can be demanding and requires ongoing attention. From dealing with maintenance issues such as boiler breakdowns, to handling rent payments or unexpected changes in occupancy, there are a number of situations that require prompt and effective management.
In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities, there are also important legal obligations that must be met both before and throughout an occupation contract. If you choose to manage the property yourself, you will also need to obtain a landlord licence through Rent Smart Wales.
At Hern & Crabtree, we can manage these responsibilities on your behalf. Our service ensures that your property, your contract-holders, and all legal compliance requirements are properly looked after, helping the occupation run as smoothly as possible.
When preparing to let your property, you should carefully consider whether to offer it furnished or unfurnished. Each option has different implications for cost, maintenance, and tenant appeal.
If you choose to let the property furnished, you should allow for ongoing costs associated with wear and tear, as furniture and items may need to be repaired or replaced over time. You will also remain responsible for maintaining these items throughout the occupation contract.
If letting the property unfurnished, we recommend providing essential white goods as a minimum to meet expectations and ensure the property remains practical for everyday use.
Maintaining a degree of flexibility can help broaden the appeal of your property, as requirements will vary between prospective contract-holders. Any items not required should be removed prior to marketing and, where necessary, placed into storage.
At Hern & Crabtree we work hard to market all our available properties across a wide variety of mediums. For each property we develop a tailored marketing strategy to ensure it achieves maximum exposure to prospective tenants. As standard, we also provide professional photography, detailed floorplans, and immersive 360° virtual tours to showcase each home at its very best.
Once we receive an application from a prospective tenant, we will present this to you along with detailed information about the applicant. This includes verification of their employment status, rental circumstances, intended occupants, and proposed length of tenancy. We will discuss each application with you before proceeding to formal referencing. If you choose not to accept an application, we will continue conducting viewings until a suitable tenant is secured.
Once a suitable tenant has been found, we will request a holding deposit along with identification and proof of current address, which will be copied and securely retained on file in our office. We will then commence the referencing process. During this period, all viewings are suspended until the necessary checks have been completed.
All tenants will undergo comprehensive background checks to assess their suitability. These checks will include identity verification, employment and income assessment, a previous landlord reference, and a credit check to identify any adverse credit history. These checks enable us to make an informed assessment of each applicant’s suitability as a tenant
Once all referencing has been completed and the applicant has been deemed suitable, we will prepare the tenancy documentation, including the occupation contract. This will be issued to the tenants for electronic signature. Once signed, the agreement will be completed and countersigned as required.
We will then request payment of the first month’s rent and deposit at least 48 hours prior to the tenancy commencement date.
If you have chosen our fully managed service, a full inventory will be carried out at the property, which will be reviewed and signed by the tenants on the day of move-in
On the tenancy start date, tenants will collect their keys from our office. Prior to their move-in, they will be provided with a Move in Pack containing all relevant tenancy documentation, including the occupation contract, inventory, Gas Safety Certificate, and EPC.
They will also receive full contact details for all tenancy and property-related matters should any assistance be required during the tenancy.
On the tenancy start date, the tenants will collect their keys from our office. They will be provided with a Move In E-Pack in advance of their move in day which will include all the tenancy documentation such as the agreement, inventory, gas safety certificate and EPC. They will also be provided with contact information for all matters relating to the tenancy and the property in case of any matters needing assistance.
