EASYLET Professional Rental Management

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Aron Cook
5 years ago
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1 EASYLET Professional Rental Management

2 WELCOME TO EASYLET What is EasyLet? Easylet is a professional rental service run by PATH (Plymouth Access to Housing) in partnership with Plymouth Homes4Let (PH4L) and Plymouth City Council (PCC). Easylet makes letting easy for you whilst providing much needed accommodation for people in housing need. Why choose EasyLet? It provides you with: Full property and tenancy management by PH4L Fast tenant finder service minimising voids Market rents with no hidden charges Deposit equivalent to one month s rent plus 100 Regular property inspections Housing benefit specialists Ethical business practices A comprehensive inventory with digital photographs Free, friendly and professional advice Help to bring your property up to the Decent Homes Standard

3 How does EasyLet work? Contact us and we will arrange to visit your property; working with Plymouth City Council, we can immediately advise you about property standards, helping make sure that your property is lettable and free from hazards. Once the property meets the Decent Homes Standard and is ready to let, an inventory is carried out by Path and photographs taken to record its condition. Who will be my tenant? Your tenants will be people in housing need who have approached Plymouth City Council for assistance. PCC will propose tenants to PH4L, with PH4L conducting viewings and choosing the tenants. Prospective tenants will be advised on how to maintain a private rented tenancy prior to signing the tenancy agreement. Tenants are offered a six or twelve month assured shorthold tenancy. At the end of the fixed period the tenancy agreement will continue on a monthly basis unless we agree with the tenant to renew the agreement for another 6 or 12 months or if the tenant/s decide to vacate. If the tenant leaves your property we will find you a new tenant. How is the rent paid? The rent is collected by PH4L and paid into your bank account. If your tenant is on housing benefit, rent will be paid directly to PH4L from Plymouth City Council for most tenancies. PH4L will process payments to you within 14 days of receipt. Your first payment will be a full calendar month and thereafter on a four weekly basis where the tenant is on full housing benefit. You will receive thirteen payments in a calendar year.

4 How much rent will I receive? EasyLet s market rent is linked to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for Plymouth. The LHA rates for Plymouth from April 2015 March 2016 are: Plymouth LHA Rates April 2015 March 2016 LHA Category Weekly Amount 4 Weekly Amount Monthly Amount Room in Shared House Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Will I get a deposit? Your tenant must provide a deposit which is secured with a Deposit Protection Scheme. If the tenant is unable to pay a deposit themselves they can apply for a Deposit Guarantee from Path. A Deposit Guarantee is a 12 month agreement between Path and PH4L. The tenant saves over the 12 month period to replace the Deposit Guarantee with their own cash one. If they fail to save their deposit, with your authorisation, PH4L can look to evict them. This may incur a cost as per normal eviction processes. The aim, however, is to have settled tenants with a deposit sufficient to cover your needs

Will I get rent in advance? As part of EasyLet, your tenant must provide rent in advance. Tenants unable to afford this will receive assistance to raise these funds.

5 Will I get rent in advance? As part of EasyLet, your tenant must provide rent in advance. Tenants unable to afford this will receive assistance to raise these funds. Rent in advance is required to provide some immediate rental income, especially as Housing Benefit is paid in arrears. Who will be responsible for managing my property? PH4L is the managing agent for EasyLet. PH4L will: Arrange and carry out viewings with potential tenants Prepare legal agreements for tenants to sign Inform utility companies as tenants move in and out Secure any cash deposits in a Deposit Protection Scheme, when relevant Undertake regular inspections Collect and pay the rent to you Manage repairs and refurbishments on your behalf if required or requested Use professional and insured contractors Arrange gas and electrical safety certificates at discounted rates Arrange an energy performance inspection if required Who is responsible for repairs? As part of the full management service PH4L will manage and conduct repairs with your prior permission if required. PH4L has access to a fully insured and competent contractor base to ensure that repairs are resolved as soon as possible to protect your property from further disrepair or damage. If you have preference to particular contractors or wish to conduct the repairs yourself PH4L can contact you directly when repairs are required. If PH4L organises the repairs, the costs are then usually deducted from your next rent payment and are clearly shown on your rent statement.

6 How much does this cost? Easylet offers you this unique service for a monthly management fee of 10% +VAT for flats and houses and 15% +VAT for HMOs, which is taken directly from the rent we receive. There is also a one-off initial set-up fee of 250, which will be deducted from your first rental payment. This payment covers all preliminary work undertaken to take the property on, including our lettings advice. Is my property suitable? If your property is safe and meets the Decent Homes Standard it is suitable for EasyLet. The Decent Homes Standard is a minimum non statutory standard set by the Government. To be decent your property must: Have no category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) 1 Be in a reasonable state of repair Have reasonably modern facilities and services Provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort You must also provide current and satisfactory: Landlords Gas Safe Certificate Energy Performance Certificate Electrical Periodic Inspection Report What next? If you re interested in EasyLet and would like to arrange an advice visit to the property or more information please contact EasyLet now on: or or via easylet@pathdevon.org We will meet you at the property to identify whether any work is required to meet the Decent Homes Standard. This service is free of charge with no obligation so, why not call us? 1 Information regarding HHSRS can be found at:

7 Application form 1 Personal Details Title and Forenames ( I) Surname (I) Title and Forenames (2) Surname (2) Home address Postcode 2 Contact numbers Home Mobile Work Fax 3 Property to let details Address Postcode Number of bedrooms When will it be available? Please tick the boxes if your property has the following: A current and satisfactory Gas Safe Safety Record A current and satisfactory Electrical Periodic Inspection Report A current Energy Performance Certificate Mortgage provider Insurance provider

4 Landlord Preferences Please tick the correct box: Allow agent to manage repairs I would prefer to pay repair invoices Pets welcome I will arrange for repairs myself Smokers welcome 5 Preferred

8 4 Landlord Preferences Please tick the correct box: Allow agent to manage repairs I would prefer to pay repair invoices Pets welcome I will arrange for repairs myself Smokers welcome 5 Preferred contractors Name Name Name Telephone Number Area of Work Telephone Number Area of Work Telephone Number Area of Work All tenants must provide one month s rent in advance (tick box) Some tenants may qualify for free cavity wall and loft insulation. Please tick the box to confirm that you are happy for your tenant to apply for free insulation. Please use the space below to supply any further details you would like to tell us about the property or your application. I confirm that I am the legal owner of this property, or have permission to act on behalf of the legal owner in regards to the letting of the property. Signed Signed Date Date

9 Please return completed form to: EasyLet Team Path Renting Support Service 1st Stop 71 New George Street Plymouth PL1 1RF

10 Notes

11 EASYLET Professional Rental Management

12 CONTACT EasyLet team Path Renting Support Service 1st Stop 71 New George Street PL1 1RF T M E easylet@pathdevon.org

Introduction Only Service - All Fees (inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated)

Introduction Only Service - All Fees (inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated) Introduction Service 7.20% of annual rent (6% + VAT) One off fee of 7.20% of the rent for the first twelve month s rent will