Our lettings services
Berrys offer both a letting only service, and full management services.
Letting Only Service.
Berrys provides comprehensive and thorough procedures within the letting
only service, in order to achieve a successful letting
of our client’s property.
- Initial property inspection and appraisal
Berrys understands that all properties are unique, and therefore an initial visit and inspection will enable us to produce an appraisal advising you on aspects such as rental level and other matters relevant to letting.
- Advertising the property
After appraising the property we will advise you on an advertising schedule that will give the best coverage for your property. Berrys provides a fixed budget in our fee for advertising in the local press and on our website. Although Berrys advertising budget does not include advertising in national press or journals this additional service can be arranged with you.
- Property Details
Our service includes the production of colour details, which will be sent to prospective tenants on our database, respondents to our advertisements in the press and from the website.
- Accompanied viewings of the property
Accompanied viewings with one of our letting staff can be arranged, as they are beneficial in allowing us to assess the suitability, and interest, of any potential tenants. This then enables us to provide feedback and recommendations to you on how to proceed.
- Vetting prospective tenants.
This is an important stage in the letting process and Berrys has developed a comprehensive vetting procedure for any potential tenants. The potential tenants will be interviewed initially by our staff and then by you, if required. References from three different sources, credit checks and county court judgements will then be requested, and only if all these are acceptable will a tenancy be offered.
- Preparing the tenancy agreement
Berrys understands that the tenancy agreement is fundamental to the letting and that each client, and property, will have their own individual requirements. Berrys has produced its own tenancy agreement in conjunction with our solicitors, which can be used for your property. We will arrange for the agreement to be signed, dated and if necessary stamped for duty. Should you wish to have your own solicitor draw up a tenancy agreement we will provide heads of terms and any other necessary assistance.
- Collecting the initial rent and deposit
On signing the tenancy agreement Berrys will collect the first months rent and the security deposit that is usually a minimum of one months rent. These monies will be paid into your account after the deduction of Berrys fees.
- Utility readings
We will arrange for utility readings to be taken at the commencement of the tenancy and also inform the relevant utilities and authorities of the change of occupant. Any closing charges will be forwarded to the client.
- Property Handover.
If required Berrys will meet the tenant at the property to handover the keys and answer any further questions.
Following a successful letting, Berrys is able to provide the additional service of rent management for the property. Our clients can have confidence that as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Berrys follows strict procedures for the management of client’s money.
- Initial property inspection and appraisal
- Advertising the property
- Property Details
- Accompanied viewings of the property
- Vetting prospective tenant
- Preparing the tenancy agreement
- Property Handover
- Utility readings- Commencement & Termination
- Collecting the initial deposit and holding in account
On signing the tenancy agreement the tenant will pay a security deposit, usually a minimum of one months rent, which Berrys as agents will hold in a designated account during the term of the tenancy.
- Monthly collection and transfer of rent
At the same time as collecting the deposit Berrys will collect the first months rent that will be paid into your client account subject to the deduction of our agreed fees.
Berrys will instruct the tenant to pay the rent, by standing order monthly in advance, into a client account on an agreed day. We will then transfer the rent to our client by an agreed date, subject to deduction of Berrys fee and any other agreed outgoings.
- Statements of Account
Half yearly statements will be sent to you that will detail the income and expenditure over the previous period. Rental statements for taxation purposes can be supplied to you, or your accountant, upon request as well as rent book printouts.
- Retention and payment of tax for overseas Landlord.
As required by the Finance Act 1995, Berrys will deduct and pay the tax due on the rental income for overseas Landlords unless instructed otherwise.
- Serve all relevant notices
During the course of the tenancy it may be required to serve notices on the tenant, which will either be done by Berrys or by an appointed solicitor.
- Rent Reviews
Rents are usually reviewed annually or bi-annually and can be conducted by Berrys at an agreed commission. Rent reviews require a visit to the property, a comparison of rents in the area and the service of a rent review memorandum.
Although some reviews are agreed quickly, there are occasions when the tenant may not agree to the review, and further work is required that will be charged at an agreed fee.
- Rent Arrears
When a tenant fails to make a rent payment, a letter with a rent demand notice will be sent out within seven days demanding payment within seven days. A further letter will be sent out on the fourteenth day advising that non-payment within the next seven days will result in an application to the County Court.
- Tenancy Changes
If there is a change of tenant during Berrys management a letting fee will be payable by the new tenant on the commencement of the new tenancy.
- Tenancy Extensions
If during the tenancy the landlord and tenant agree to an extension of the agreement this will be covered by the management fee.
- Property return
On the termination of the tenancy, Berrys will inspect the property to ensure that all the tenant’s belongings have been removed. If a record of condition and inventory were produced at the commencement of the tenancy, this will be used during the inspection before the deposit is returned.
- Property Management
Under Berrys full management service the time consuming business of day to day property management can be left to us. We will agree a budget that is available for maintenance works before we are required to gain your authorisation. When the cost of work is over our agreed budget, we will obtain and submit estimates for your approval before authorising and overseeing the works, except in emergencies. The cost of the works will either be deducted from the monthly rent, provided funds are available, or sent to our client for payment.
- Property Inspections
The first inspection will be one month after the tenancy commencement and half yearly thereafter, unless otherwise agreed. Berrys will make a visual inspection of the internal and external of the property, the garden and outbuildings and a report will then be sent to you with any comments or recommendations.
