Landlord Guide


1Free Rental Valuation

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Your aim should be to let your property at the best possible price in the shortest possible time. Our expert and experienced valuers carry out a number of FREE valuations every month giving us intimate and unparalleled knowledge of property values in your area.

Additionally we will advise you on all the aspects of the lettings process and provide you with up to date information with regards to recent lettings of comparable properties in your area so you can make an informed decision.

This is why we consistently achieve the asking price across all our clients' properties.

Did you know? First 4 Lettings are a national multi – award winning company. If you are looking to let your property, call us today on 0116 270 6000 for a FREE rental valuation.

2Select your service plan

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First 4 Lettings offer two service plans to suit your needs and personal requirements.

Choose our basic Tenant Find Service or why not go for the crème de la crème and choose our most popular Fully Managed Service.

Our top tip: Industry experts advise that tenants often opt for properties fully managed by agents to ensure their maintenance needs are well looked after by professionals.

3Presenting your property

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First impressions counts! The presentation of your property is essential to a successful let. Consider addressing any DIY jobs that you have been meaning to get done and add a fresh coat of paint where necessary. A tidy lawn and clean windows will give a much better impression!.

4Extensive online advertising and modern window displays

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First 4 Lettings will ensure that your property will be instantly available on our modern, up to date website; with detailed description, professional photography and even a location map. We will also market your property on a number of leading property portals. Additionally we go one step further and use social media extensively, to reach as many potential tenants as possible.

The benefit of good window displays in busy locations should not be underestimated in their ability to catch the eye and draw in potential tenants, as a result, First 4 Lettings have invested in the latest ultra-bright LED light pockets to ensure your property receives the attention that it deserves!

5Professional photography and HD video

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The first thing potential tenants see before they even pass through the front door is the photographs of your property.

First 4 Lettings use professional, digital SLR cameras with an ultra wide-angle zoom lens and invest in professional training in order to capture the best pictures that will make your property let quickly.

Be careful: After seeing the quality of our professional photographs you may want to instruct us for your next special event!

6Free ‘TO LET’ boards

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First 4 Lettings will erect a free ‘TO LET’ board at your property. These are an invaluable advertising tool, clearly identifying your property and generating interest from would be tenants. Our distinctive ‘TO LET’ boards are extremely prominent throughout Leicester.

7Viewings and Feedback

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First 4 Lettings provide an unparalleled viewing service. We will accommodate a tenant’s viewing request as much as we possibly can. Furthermore we will ensure that our team have detailed knowledge of your property in order that they can present it in the best possible way. We will endeavour to provide you with as much feedback as possible.

Our top tip: Listening to feedback from viewings can be helpful to determine how to make your property more attractive to tenants. First 4 Lettings will update you regularly on the letting progress of your property.

8Negotiating and agreeing an offer

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Our experienced Lettings Negotiators strive to obtain the best possible rental and will notify you any time an offer has been made. We will handle the negotiations between you and the tenant and relay all relevant information in a timely manner.

Once negotiations have reached a positive conclusion and you are happy to accept an offer, we will arrange for the tenant to reserve the property.

Our top tip: Be clear with your agent about the type of tenant you will be happy with, for example: are pets an issue?

9Comprehensive referencing

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First 4 Lettings understand how important it is to conduct appropriate checks on prospective tenants to ensure that your investment will be secure. We use strict referencing procedures which can give our landlords a comprehensive understanding of tenants’ personal and financial circumstances; including a check on their employment history, previous addresses and credit worthiness.

Did you know? First 4 Lettings maintains low rent arrears at 0.2%. We believe strict referencing betters your chances of avoiding problems with payments further down the line.

10Dotting the I's and crossing the T's

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Once in receipt of satisfactory references, First 4 Lettings will:

  • Organise signing of the Tenancy Agreement
  • Collect payment of the deposit and first rental
  • Conduct a Property Inventory / Home Condition Report (depending on the service plan selected)

For your added peace of mind, where applicable, we will hold the deposit as a stakeholder and register this with a deposit protection scheme, resulting in a faster and more efficient deposit release process at the end of the tenancy.

Did you know? First 4 Lettings can get your property ready for move in by organising; a Gas Safety Inspection; a Portable Appliance Test and a professional clean of your property.

11Move In

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Keys will be released to the tenant on the move in day.

If the property is fully managed, the tenant will be advised of their dedicated property manager for point of contact. Otherwise we will provide them with the landlord’s contact details.

Congratulations, your property is now let!!

Our top tip: Small gestures will go a long way in building good relationships with your tenants, leave out instructions to appliances. (This may also mean tenants will be less likely to break the appliance!)

We hope you've found this guide useful, and should you need any further help please feel free to contact us.

Property Valuations

Are you interested in finding out what rental price your property could achieve? If so, then please contact us to get a FREE valuation. You have nothing to lose whilst getting our expert advice.

Landlord Yield Calculator

Look at our FREE RENTAL yield calculator to see if your property is a good investment. Contact us to see what we can do to make your investment more profitable.

Students

We have a large selection of student properties located near both UOL and DMU. With a budget to suit all students, First 4 Lettings is the one stop shop for all looking to secure student accommodation in Leicester.

Maintenance

Tenants can have the peace of mind that all our managed properties are fully maintained by our 24/7 maintenance department. All issues are dealt with in a swift and prompt manner to ensure your stay in the property is as enjoyable as possible.

Fees

PERMITTED PAYMENTS

As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

1) Holding Deposit: Up to one week’s rental

2) Deposit: One month’s rental (5 weeks rental dependent on individual’s circumstances)

3) Payments for utilities (gas, electricity & water), communication services (telephone & broadband), Installation/Subscription of cable/satellite, TV licence and council tax

4) Default Fee (late payment of rent): If full Rent is not paid within 14 days or more of the Rent Due Date there will be a charge 3% plus the Bank of England base interest rate of the full rental amount until full payment is received

5) Default Fee (breach of tenancy agreement, any other permitted payments, under relevant legislation including contractual damages): For any breach of the tenancy agreement based on the reasonably incurred costs of the agent or landlord

6) Replacement of keys, fobs or other security devices

7) Default Fee (changes to the tenancy): An administrative charge of £50.00 or greater for any assignment, variation or novation of the tenancy agreement made at the tenant’s request (only if agreed by The Landlord and/or The Landlord’s Agent)

8) Payments in respect of early termination of a tenancy agreement at the tenant’s request


TENANT PROTECTION

First 4 Lettings is a member of Client Money Protect which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of PRS (Property Redress Scheme), which is a redress scheme.