Landlords Information Pack...a fresh approach to lettings Fresh Move Ltd fresh-move.co.uk enquiries@fresh-move.co.uk 03333 440 856
Contents Welcome 1 About us 2 Our history 3 Our ethos and standards 4 Our brand 5 The market 6 Landlord & tenant frustrations 7 How we can help 8 What we can do 9 Our fresh differences 11 Why fresh move? 12
Welcome Welcome to fresh move, the innovative, credible, and novel approach to property lettings and annuity based services. At the forefront of customer acquisition, fresh move adopts a modern mindset to letting properties by challenging the stereotypes surrounding traditional high street agents. By championing an ethical approach to property lettings, with an emphasis on clear communication, transparent costs and value-led services, fresh move have created a unique product within this thriving and highly competitive market. These intrinsic brand values have anchored fresh move s reputation into the property sector as a trust-worthy operator with a commitment to excellence. 1 fresh move Landords Information Pack
About us James and Fiona Gardner are the proud creators of the fresh move concept, and have successfully operated in Devon as independent specialists in residential lettings and property management since 2006. fresh move is now recognised as market leaders across South Devon. Regulated by the Property Ombudsmen for Residential Lettings, the Association for Residential Letting Agents and members of the Devon Landlords Association, fresh move clients can be sure to receive professional direction and expert guidance at all times. As a specialist lettings agent, which means we have no association with residential sales fresh move can provide you with honest, unbiased advice about all aspects of a rental property, from realistic rents to local hot spots for potential Buy to Let investors. We have total confidence in our ability to secure tenants correctly matched to your property. Landords Information Pack fresh move 2
Our history 1. Founded Oct 06 in James and Fiona s spare bedroom, Teignmouth 2. First fresh move rental property - converted holiday let to residential, Bovey Tracey 3. End year one, fresh move doubled projections and doubled again by end year two 4. 2014 exceed revenue six times original forecasts, doubling turnover on previous year 5. In 2014 UK average market growth for Letting Agents was 6%. fresh move exceeded 35% growth 6. fresh move now employs six lettings specialists in lettings and property management, has over 600 landlords and maintains over 14,000 tenants which contribute to over 60 property enquiries per day 7. In 2014 as a single branch operation in Torquay, Devon fresh move rented twice as many properties than any other single branch operation outside London (Maras) 8. fresh move are consistently awarded more new property instructions than any other agent in South Devon (Right Move) 9. fresh move consistently rent properties twice as fast as any of their competition (Zoopla) 10. January 2015 new offices launched Mayfair coming to Exeter @ Dean Clarke House, Southernhay East, Exeter 3 fresh move Landords Information Pack
Our ethos & standards 1. To exceed expectations in service 2. To always have an honest and ethical approach 3. To treat everyone as equal and with respect 4. To always do the right thing 5. To always maintain a fresh approach in everything we do Landords Information Pack fresh move 4
Our brand In the oxford dictionary, the adjective for fresh is something new of different. fresh move is what it says on the tin. We are fresh in everything we do from using advancements in the latest technologies to help us keep ahead of the competition, from taking a completely fresh move approach to the lettings market. So what is fresh about our fresh move? 1. We have fresh ways of doing things 2. We have fresh evidence of our success 3. Our people, our brand, our processes and our lettings solution is totally fresh! 5 fresh move Landords Information Pack
The market Of the 23.4 million homes (or households) in England and Wales on census day in March 2011, 15 million (64 per cent) were owner occupied and 8.3 million (36 per cent) were rented; a figure that has doubled over the last 25 years as owner occupancy has declined. At the start of the 19th century over 90% of households rented privately. Compare this to the mid- 1990s when the private rented sector accounted for just 8% of homes. Today the figure stands at 16% and is growing by 6% per annum. According to the latest government data, on average, there are 3 rental properties for every 7 owned properties and the number of households in England will grow by an average 232,000 per year until 2033. New research has indicated that almost half of non-homeowners between the ages of 25 and 34 do not believe they will ever be able to buy a property. As the expansion of the UK s private rented sector shows no signs of slowing down, fresh move delivers a targeted and appealing product to this growing market. Landords Information Pack fresh move 6
Landlord & Tenants frustrations 1. Poor communication 2. Repairs not managed 3. Weak marketing 4. Late payments 5. Aggressive tactics 6. Lack of support 7. Marking up maintenance 8. Deposits lost 9. Leaking contracts 10. Lack of marketing 11. Not doing what it says on the tin 12. Dishonest / Disloyal 13. Disputed inventories 14. Drip feeding tenant fees 15. Inefficient ways 16. Lack of people experience 17. Mistakes on paperwork 18. Limited resources 19. Ridiculous agent terms 20. Poor inspections fresh move has been created by addressing the problems in the market so we could do it right 7 fresh move Landords Information Pack
How we can help At fresh move, we closely monitor the lettings market. With extensive lettings experience, we are able to identify regional variations and local trends to ensure that we provide the very best advice. The recession has had a dramatic effect on house sales, with more people than ever choosing to rent properties rather than buy. And here s why: Some people are renting until the property sales market picks up or they have more job security. Some people have inherited a property and want to enjoy monthly rental income. Some people are unable to sell their property and are double renting i.e. renting out their homes and downsizing to a rental property in a less expensive area. Many people are unable to access the funds needed to obtain a mortgage More people than ever before are choosing to rent as a lifestyle preference because they enjoy the flexibility and peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly how much their budget is each month. Investors are able to: View Buy to Let as a long-term investment opportunity Regard property as a pension provision in later years Help children to get a foot on the property ladder Buy property for children in higher education Invest in local rental property hot spots Plan an exit strategy Receive expert advice from wealth management specialists Specialist help Fresh move is constantly monitoring the lettings market and assessing regional variations in rental properties. This enables us to advise landlords on realistic rental incomes and the likely capital appreciation of a property. Landlords can opt from one of several management packages and fresh move will then use its considerable resources and extensive database to find a tenant that matches the landlord s preferences. Expert advice Many local estate agents market properties as viable Buy to Let investments. We recommend that, prior to committing to any purchase, landlords find out as much information as possible regarding the area and type of property that has the potential to make the best long-term investment. fresh move offers free, unbiased advice to landlords who are seeking to extend their portfolio. Landords Information Pack fresh move 8
The Letting Process 1) Prepare the property for tenants Discuss what type of let maximises revenue from the property Ensure the property meets the required guidelines for letting Update the property if required Obtain gas, electrical safety and energy performance certificates 2) Market the property Confirm maximum and minimum rental price Arrange property details for websites Carry out property viewings Conduct landlord feedback Negotiate rent/letting period Accept an offer 3) Let the property Confirm tenant reservation Tenant references Prepare invertory / statement of conditions Security deposit and first months rent Finalise legal documentation Sign contracts Hand over keys to the tenant 4) Lettings Management Periodic property visits Dealing with day-to-day tenant issues and manage disputes Renewal of safety certificates Receive and pass rent quickly and deal with rental disputes Deal with insurance claims free of charge with fresh move bespoke insurance Maintenance management 5) Tenancy Exit Serve/receive notice on/from tenant Inventory check Organise any remedial works Manage legal disputes with our bespoke legal support service Organise refund of deposit 9 fresh move Landords Information Pack
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Our fresh differences 1. We are 100% focused on residential lettings. If we do not let your property we do not get paid. Our income is derived from lettings, not sales. 2. We are in the lettings business, not a bolt on. Our team are letting and management experts. This is all they do day in day out. 3. We are ethical and transparent. We do not believe in misleading or misguiding our clients that always results in a short term relationship. We only profit from landlord and tenant fees. 4. Our contractors are selected on performance not profit 5. Through our automated property repair software we help tenants fix simple issues themselves reducing your maintenance costs 6. Through our discounted British Gas contracts we reduce your utility maintenance costs helping to minimise any surprise / unforeseen maintenance bills such as boiler repairs / servicing, faulty plumbing / drains / water supply or electrical problems 7. We use the latest technology and methods to market your property through high resolution wide angle photography, real time video tours and accurate property descriptions 8. Each property is accurately marketed to fresh move s extensive database of existing tenants and new applicants based on their specific requirements that meet the landlords criteria. Our average rental listing time is 2-3 weeks compared to the average agent in the local area being 2-3 months. 9. Fresh move receive in excess of 70 enquiries a day for properties to let. The average high street agent may receive upto one of third of this. 10. We include rent protection and legal expenses cover on the firsts 6 months cover on every new managed contract / tenancy to protect our landlords investments 11. Our services are designed to offer value at an affordable costs. Not to secure a quick win. 12. We are different in our approach and care about what we do and how we approach any given task or opportunity. 13. Through our state of the art landlord online property management platform (epropertyfile) fresh move gives you instant access to vital information for your property / portfolio whenever and where ever you may need it via any device with internet access. providing information such as online statements, safety certificate notifications, tenants details, security deposit registration, downloadable accounts, direct contact details of your fresh move property manager and all maintenance and inspections carried out. 11 fresh move Landords Information Pack
Why fresh move? 1. We save you time and money 2. We offer you protection 3. We help you prepare 4. We offer versatility 5. We find great tenants 6. We offer superb marketing 7. We provide great legal advise 8. We conduct fault proof inspection and inventories 9. We protect deposits properly 10. We are on your side 11. We are an efficient team 12. We maximise your income 13. We minimise tenant void periods 14. We consistently out perform our competitors 15. We keep you up-to-date Our prime objectives are to maximise your rental yields & minimise void periods whilst maintaining the value of your property asset(s). The result is that your property / portfolio is managed as an efficient business. Landords Information Pack fresh move 12
...a fresh approach to lettings Fresh Move Ltd fresh-move.co.uk enquiries@fresh-move.co.uk 03333 440 856