Whatever your reason for becoming a landlord, you can relax in the knowledge that our experienced and dedicated team will be able to guide you through the process, create a bespoke service to suit your requirements and ensure that your property is left in safe hands.
As members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA Propertymark), Harvey & Wheeler adhere to a strict code of professional practice to ensure letting staff are kept fully informed of current legislation.
From your initial enquiry our Lettings Manager, Wesley, will be your main point of contact whilst finding a suitable tenant.
When a tenancy is agreed our in house Property Management team will look after you, the property and the tenants throughout the tenancy. Our close knit team and comprehensive management software enables all members of the team to be aware of issues regarding your property.
We pride ourselves on our effective marketing strategies, which include portals, our website and social media platforms. We maintain excellent links with local companies, hospitals, relocation agents and educational institutions and are, therefore, confident that not only can we secure good tenants but do so within a reasonable timescale to ensure maximum occupancy.
We trust that you will find the article below to be informative and helpful and will be more than happy to provide more information on our services and a free of charge marketing proposal for your property.
MARKETING
Distinct properties in different locations require tailored marketing approaches which are all included in our service.
Photography
We believe that potential tenants see the charm and personality the property has to offer though high-quality images. Therefore, we put in a lot of effort in to show the property at its best. We work with talented photographers to bring out the best in any room of your property.
Floor plan
A floor plan is an essential marketing tool. Our detailed floor plans are prepared to RICS guidelines.
Description
We understand well-written property descriptions encourage tenants to book in viewings. Therefore, we support the photographs with a description that captures people’s attention in order to generate interest.
Online
To market your property, we use two main property portals Rightmove and Onthemarket as well as social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We have also invested significantly in our own website in order for our properties to feature prominently in search engine results.
Window card
Our office at 33 Dulwich Village is centrally located in the village where families and commuters regularly walk past. We therefore put great emphasis on designing eye-catching window cards for every property.
To let board
We think a To Let Board outside the property is a powerful tool to attract potential tenants, however this is completely at the discretion of the property owner.
Tenant network
We maintain an up to date database of registered potential tenants actively looking in Dulwich and the surrounding areas.
Advertising and editorials
We advertise in many local magazines supporting local community groups such as The Dulwich Society, Dulwich Players, Dulwich Choral Society, Dulwich Hamlet Football Club and Dulwich Gardens ‘Open for Charity’. Also, over the years, we have built up good relationships with local magazines who highlight our properties in appropriate editorials.
From 2020, we are now proud to be a main sponsor for the Dulwich Artists’ Open House Event in May. For this event Harvey & Wheeler will be displaying property boards all around Dulwich, Herne Hill, East Dulwich, Camberwell, Peckham Rye, West Norwood and Sydenham advertising local artists who will be displaying their work during this two week summer event.
PRESENTING FOR VIEWING
After the legal and safety requirements (see below) have been complied with, it is important to present the property well to get the best possible tenant.
Potential tenants often see several properties in a short time. Being flexible with viewing times helps the chance of finding a suitable tenant quickly.
For each viewing we give you detailed feedback and record it in our database to build a useful picture of how (and to whom) your property appeals.
Properties in good decorative order do let faster. If you are looking at doing renovation and/or decorative works before the tenancy starts we will be more than happy to assist with our team of approved contractors.
First impressions count. A clean and tidy entrance makes a difference.
Good natural light is appreciated by potential tenants. Clean windows and curtains or blinds fully open help. If you use lamps rather than pendants it will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
It is also important to keep the property at a comfortable temperature.
LEGISLATION AND DUE DILIGENCE
This needs to be completed to make your property fully compliant and legally ready for occupation. This can seem daunting but our team our here to help with all of this. The following points are by no means exhaustive but will give you an idea of what to expect.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP
If you are not the sole owner of your property, all co-owners must be named on the Tenancy Agreement.
TERM OF LETTING
Tenancies tend to run for an initial period of one or two years. You can negotiate specific terms for early termination or renewal with your tenants as part of the contract.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
Income from letting properties is subject to UK tax. We strongly recommend you obtain proper tax advice from an accountant, or similarly qualified person, when letting a property.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides potential tenants with an indication of the energy efficiency of a property rating on a scale from A to G. The certificate takes into consideration various factors such as the heating systems, insulation, and window glazing. You are legally obliged to have a certificate before marketing your property. If your property requires an EPC we will arrange for an accredited EPC provider to assess your property and the cost for this is included in our service.
APPLIANCES AND MANUALS
Appliances like cookers, fridges, washing machines and boilers need to be in good working order. Make sure you leave operating instructions or manuals for all your appliances in the property. Also inform us if you are subscribed to any maintenance contracts.
FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED
There is generally very little difference in the rent you can obtain between letting your property furnished or unfurnished. In an unfurnished property you are still commonly required to provide curtains or blinds, suitable floor coverings or finishes, and white goods. On the other hand, “furnished” means that a tenant can move straight in which can be an attractive option. You can always consult us if you need any guidance on this. It will be worth noting that all furniture and furnishings included in the Tenancy need to adhere to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988/1989, 1993 and 2010 – we will go through this with you before agreeing a let.
UTILITIES AND COUNCIL TAX
Tenants are generally liable for all utility bills (energy, water, and phones) as well as TV licence and council tax. The landlord usually remains accountable for any ground rent payments and service charges.
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT (EICR)
The Government is proposing new legislation surrounding Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. For private rented properties, The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is being introduced from 1 July 2020. The EICR is a formal document that is produced following an assessment of the electrical installation within a property and this process must be carried by a qualified electrician or approved contractor. The report simply provides proof that the electrical installation within the property is safe and will form part of the normal duties a landlord, or their managing agent, will carry out to protect their tenants and the property. As a matter of course for all new managed properties, the EICR will be incorporated into the services we will commission on behalf of landlords from 1 July this year (should this legislation be passed). For all existing tenancies we will arrange for this to be completed on renewal. We do however, as part of best practice, suggest you do this before the legislation is passed.
