Landlords
We have available a comprehensive ‘Landlord’s Guide to Letting’ which covers all aspects of letting your property and fully explains our services and charges. Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy. We list below some of the most commonly asked questions raised by prospective landlords, and we will be delighted to address any particular queries you may have
Q. How much rent will my property achieve?
A. As you will no doubt appreciate, it is extremely difficult to value your property without seeing it. Income levels can be greatly affected by a number of factors (e.g. location, type of property, furnishings and equipment) and you are advised to arrange for one of our qualified staff to visit the property in order to give you an accurate valuation. pj Carroll residential Ltd. we have a strict policy to always give our clients a realistic, achievable rental assessment - we have met many landlords whose properties have been substantially overvalued by agents whose sole initial aim is to receive the instruction to let. It is then most disheartening when the property remains empty and your letting income is lost for a protracted period of time.
Q. How long will it take you to let my property?
A. This is the $64,000 question! We fully understand that having taken the decision to let, you wish to be assured that a suitable tenant will be found quickly and that the property will remain occupied throughout its rental lifetime. Our marketing and advertising of your property is formulated to maximise the capture of potential tenants. From a purely commercial point of view, we do not earn any fees on empty properties, so it is very much in our own interest that properties are let quickly in the first instance and kept continuously occupied.
Q. How can i be assured of letting to a suitable tenant?
A. The quality of tenant is of paramount importance. It is our duty to obtain the maximum rent achievable, whilst at the same time ensuring the highest quality of tenant. For a successful and financially rewarding let, these two factors go hand-in-hand and we will always endeavour to match the right tenant to your property. All prospective tenants are thoroughly vetted and we use the specialist services of ‘Leaseguard’ for all tenant assessments. Their expertise provides one of the most thoroughly researched financial, social and employment information on prospective tenants available in the lettings industry today. Any potential tenants who are not acceptable to ‘Leaseguard’ will not be offered a tenancy.
Q. When will my rent be paid?
A. Your rental payment be paid directly into your bank on the last working day of each month. Statements are remitted monthly or quarterly or annually, depending on your requirements.
Q. How can I be sure my property is being kept in good condition?
A. At the commencement of a tenancy, we will prepare a full inventory of all the contents within the property. This will include a Schedule of Condition, showing the condition of all walls, ceilings, floor coverings, paintwork, worktops etc. On moving into a property, tenants must check, agree and sign for the contents of these documents. During the tenancy, we would normally inspect the property at quarterly intervals.
Q. What repairs/maintenance am I responsible for?
A. As the Landlord, you are responsible for repairs, maintenance and general upkeep of the property and all its contents which have been provided by you. We have an excellent team of tradespeople on hand to deal with every aspect of property repairs and maintenance, or you can instruct us that you wish to attend to these matters yourself. If any repair arises due to tenant misuse, they will have to bear the cost.
Q. What are my insurance obligations?
A. It is your responsibility to insure the building and your contents and you are also required to have public liability insurance.
Q. Will I have to pay tax on my rental income?
A. Rent derived from letting property is taxable, and your personal tax position will determine whether you pay tax or not. All profit you make from letting should be added to your other taxable income for the year, but financial records should be kept separately. There are certain deductible expenses which can be offset against your letting income and our ‘Landlord’s Guide’ gives full details of these. Please contact us if you would like a copy or call us if you have a specific query.
Q. Do I have to comply with any safety regulations when letting?
A. Yes, there several areas of legislation which must complied with by law, covering Fire and Furnishings, Gas Safety, Energy Performance and Electrical Equipment Safety. Full details of your statutory obligations are contained within our ‘Landlord’s Guide’ - please contact us for a free copy.
Q. What are your fees and charges?
A. Details of our fees and charges are given below, together with examples. As we aim to offer a tailored service to our clients, our fees may vary slightly dependant on factors such as how many properties you have and the particular services you require from us.
We trust you find this information useful, and we will, of course be happy to address or clarify any issues arising.
