Landlords
Buccleuch John Sale is the biggest Letting agent in the Scottish Borders with several hundred properties. We offer two types of service for prospective landlords:
Introduction of a tenant and management of your property
or
Introduction of a tenant only
The letting and management of a residential property is a complex business and it is necessary to follow a management system with well worked out procedures and documentation. Buccleuch John Sale have or have access to the necessary information and are members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (the main organisation regulating the letting of residential property). We are also members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and our client accounts are regularly audited to comply with the requirements of both professional bodies.
Management Service
Although few lets cause problems, letting is not for the fainthearted and prospective landlords should be aware that there are problems which can arise which may cause you considerable worry and expense. Our management procedures are designed to protect your rights. Our service includes:
A free no-obligation rental assessment of the property.
Advertising the property on our website, let list, in our window and an advert with colour photograph in the local press (additional adverts available at extra cost)
Finding the right tenant
Referencing prospective tenants through an external referencing agency MARAS - the Managing Agents and Referencing Advisory Service.
Preparing the lease and AT5 documents
Witnessing the signing of the tenancy agreement
Collection of the first rent
Collection of the deposit (equal to two months rent)
Holding of the deposit in our non-interest bearing client account.
Handling subsequent rent payments and forwarding them to an account of your choice.
Providing you with a statement of income and expenditure on a monthly basis
Deducting tax for non-resident landords
Pursuing rent arrears (if necessary)
Preparing an inventory for the property
Checking tenants into the property, taking meter readings and checking through the inventory
Ensuring that the inventory is correct at the start and end of each tenancy
Property inspections at least once throughout a tenancy
Arranging annual gas and electrical safety checks
Notifying utility companies and local authorities of change of tenancy details and meter readings
Dealing with any routine repairs, queries or problems raised by the tenant
Organising extensions or alterations to the lease
Serving Notices to Quit (if necessary)
Checking out tenants at the end of the tenancy
Assessing any dilapidations, organising any work and deducting the cost to rectify them from the tenants deposit.
Tenant Only Service
Our Tenant Only service includes:
Rental assessment
One advert with colour photograph in the local press (additional adverts available at extra cost)
Advertising properties on our website, our weekly let list and in our window
Arranging viewings through the landlord (or accompanied viewings at extra cost)
Referencing of prospective tenants
Arranging the preparation of the lease and AT5 documents (unless otherwise specified)
Witnessing document signing
Collection of rent and deposit payments
Holding of the deposit in our non-interest bearing client account (if required)
It is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure that properties have an up to date inventory and meet safety legislation, especially with regards to fire and furnishings and gas safety checks.
Furnishing
As a landlord it is your decision whether you let your property furnished, unfurnished, part furnished or furnishing negotiable. In the current market, there is no difference in rental achieved for furnished or unfurnished properties.
Recommended items for a furnished property:
HALLWAY - Furniture not essential - should have hardwearing floor covering.
LOUNGE - Suite, coffee table, lamp
DINING ROOM Dining table, dining chairs, sideboard or cupboard
KITCHEN Fitted units wherever possible, cooker, fridge, washing machine.
Kettle, washing up bowl, dish drainer, waste bin, saucepans/frying pan, crockery, colander, glasses, utensils, cutlery, sweeping brush, mop, iron, ironing board and vacuum cleaner.
BEDROOMS Bed(s), chest of drawers, wardrobe(s), bedside lamp(s), bed linen.
BATHROOM Towel rail, toilet roll holder, toilet brush and holder, mirror.
EXTERIOR Dustbin, washing line.
GARDEN Lawn mower, gardening tools
Furnishings and fittings should be in good order and must meet safety guidelines (detailed below).
Recommended items for an unfurnished property:
The property should be fitted with floor coverings, light fittings, curtains and white goods (including fridge freezer, washing machine and cooker).
We suggest that all properties should be professionally cleaned prior to letting.
Fire and Furnishings Legislation
All furnishings in rental property must meet the regulations of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 & The Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993. All furnishings must carry permanent labels which state that the item meets official fire resistance standards. Each property must have at least one smoke detector per floor.
Landlord Registration
The Scottish Executive has implemented a National Registration Scheme for Private Landlords which requires every private landlord to register with their local Council.
HMO Legislation
Houses in Multiple Occupation legislation applies to properties occupied by three or more unrelated applicants, such properties are required to have a licence issued by the local council. Properties with an HMO licence are required to have mains operated fire alarms, fire doors, fire blankets and/or extinguishers, one toilet and bath/shower for every five people and adequate heating, lighting and ventilation.
Heath and Safety Legislation
Gas Safety - under the 1994 Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations, gas safety checks must be carried out for all gas fittings and appliances and certificates provided every year, tests must be carried out by a CORGI registered engineer and must cover all appliances.
Electrical Safety - for our managed service we require each property to have an up to date electrical safety certificate from a registered electrician carried out annually.