Properties Birmingham Landlords
Properties Birmingham fully understand the requirements of today’s investment landlord and the need for an efficient and reliable service enabling rental yields to be maximised with minimum hassle. The directors can call on years of experience in the property industry to ensure the best possible advice. We are happy to offer investment guidance to first time landlords or to experienced landlords looking to maximise their returns or further expand their portfolio.
We provide our landlord clients with a comprehensive service ranging from ‘Let Only’ to ‘Various Management Packages’, enabling them to tailor their lettings requirements to their individual needs.
For further information or to arrange a free ‘no obligation’ rental appraisal please contact us on 0121 643 5570 or email us via our contact page.
We look forward to doing business with you.
As a landlord, or prospective landlord of a property to rent in West Midlands, you may have queries about the process.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
We advise that a professional inventory is done for every tenancy. This is so that the deposit can be released at the end of the tenancy. It should be a comprehensive list detailing the items and condition of the entire apartment. Should a dispute arise at the end of the tenancy, this document will be referred to. We have a recommended company that we use, please contact us for further details and costs.
From 1st October 2008, it will become necessary to have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) completed on all property to rent in Birmingham. The EPC grades the energy efficiency of properties on a scale of A-G, with the most efficient homes in band A. The Certificate takes the form of a chart setting out the property’s energy performance and environmental impact, as well as any steps that could be taken to improve the property in this respect.
It will soon become law that to let a property, an EPC rating of E or above must be applicable.
We have a recommended company that will be able to perform these certificates, please contact us for further details and costs.
Introduced in April 2007, it is now compulsory to adhere to government guidelines regarding the registering of the deposit in an approved scheme.
Properties Birmingham registers the deposits for all managed properties with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS). Further information, terms and conditions can be found at www.depositprotection.com.
If you manage your own property or properties, you will need to register the deposit yourself when the money is transferred to you by Properties Birmingham following the move in date of your tenant.
As a ‘let only’ landlord you have the choice of using the DPS or an alternative scheme that can be found by visiting the government website. Details of whatever scheme you use must be made available to your tenant.
Properties Birmingham will register deposits for ‘let only’ landlords if they request this service. Please contact our offices for further information and costs.
Properties Birmingham will carry out inspections every 3-6 months on properties that we manage to check that everything is in good order during the tenancy and that the terms of the tenancy are being adhered to.
We strongly advise that ‘let only’ Landlords check their property during the term of the tenancy to clarify that everything is in order.
Properties Birmingham offers a separate service to ‘let only’ Landlords whereby they can carry out one of these inspections for a separate fee. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices for further information and costs.
If you cannot find the answer to your question above, please do not hesitate to contact us for information.
As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. Landlords’ duties apply to a wide range of accommodation, occupied under a lease or licence, which includes, but not exclusively:
- residential premises provided for rent by local authorities, housing associations, private sector landlords, housing co-operatives, hostels
- rooms let in bed-sit accommodation, private households, bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels
- rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats on inland waterways
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.
Landlord’s responsibilities
If you let a property equipped with gas appliances you have three main responsibilities:
Maintenance
Pipework, appliances and flues must be maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If these are not available it is recommended that they are serviced annually unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Gas safety checks
A 12 monthly gas safety check must be carried out on every gas appliance/flue. A gas safety check will make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use.
Record
A record of the annual gas safety check must be provided to your tenant within 28 days of the check being completed or to new tenants before they move in. Landlords must keep copies of the gas safety record for two years.
Properties Birmingham can arrange for gas safety checks. Please contact our offices for further information and costs.