Lettings Services at Howe & Hawksby
Howe and Hawksby Lettings was established in November 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The company has achieved a strong foothold in the Corby lettings market by successfully letting properties quickly and consistently.
The basis to our success has been down to four main factors. A friendly customer service approach, an efficient work ethic, a driven attitude towards getting the job done, and a marketing strategy which is second to none.
Central Town Location
We are at the forefront of the market place with our innovative marketing techniques, constantly introducing ideas new, unique ideas. With our convenient central position in the town, we believe we receive more foot traffic than our competitors leading to a high level of rental enquiries. The premises also provide dedicated, highly visible windows promoting letting properties to the busy foot traffic walking past.
The Boldest, Brightest, Most Noticeable Signs!
Rental Guarantee Scheme
To view details of our rent guarantee scheme, please visit http://www.homelet.co.uk/ or click on the icon below.
All of our properties can be found on all the major property websites!
NOTES FOR LANDLORDS
Energy Performance Certificate
From the 1st October 2008 all rental properties in England and Wales with a new tenancy will be required by law to have an Energy Performance Certificate - EPC.
An Energy Performance Certificates tells you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
A landlord (or landlord's agent) will be required to show the EPC to prospective tenants. The tenant will be able to see at a glance how energy efficient and environmentally friendly a particular rental property is.
They will have to be provided when any written information about the property is provided or a viewing undertaken. If neither of these occur it must be supplied before entering into a contract to let.
The certificates will be valid for 10 years. If a property has recently been purchased, it is likely to have an Energy Performance Certificate as this has formed part of the HIP (Home Information Pack) in England and Wales. There will be no need to get EPCs for current tenancies or renewals to the same tenants. A tenant cannot 'legally' move in to the property until an Energy Performance Certificate has been produced.
The Gas Safety Regulations (Installation and Use) 1994
Over recent years there have sadly been an increasing number of incidents involving tenants and faulty gas appliances. Many of these have resulted in fatalities. To counter this alarming increase the government has introduced safety laws regarding gas appliances.
These regulations state Landlords are now responsible for the safety of their tenants and are legally obliged to service any gas equipment regularly. Regular gas safety checks, at least once a year must be carried out. The government are imposing some very large fines and penalties if the regulations are not strictly adhered to.
Howe and Hawksby Lettings advise all Landlords to comply fully with this regulation. We also advise that they have a gas service and gas safety check, by a CORGI REGISTERED ENGINEER or GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER at least once every twelve months. This can be arranged for you by us if you wish.
However, we must stress that this is the law. Failure to provide us with the Gas Safety Certificate by the date that your tenant moves in will result in Howe and Hawksby organising the safety check on your behalf and a subsequent charge of £60.00 + VAT will be made to your account.
Please provide us with your clear instructions regarding this safety check.
Electrical Safety
You must ensure that the electrical installation and all electrical appliances are ‘safe’ with little risk of injury or death to humans, or risk of damage to property. This applies throughout the life of the tenancy and includes all mains voltage household electric goods supplied by the landlord such as cookers, kettles, toasters, electric blankets, washing machines etc. Any equipment supplied should be marked with the appropriate CE symbol.
Appliances you supply should be checked by a qualified electrician before the property is let. All paperwork regarding the item (i.e. receipts, warranties, certificates of inspection) should be kept for a minimum period of six years.
One way of helping to achieve safety is to undertake a regular formal inspection of the installation and appliances on an annual basis.
Deposit Protection Scheme
The Housing Act 2004: the Government has introduced a tenancy deposit protection for all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales where a deposit is taken. The legislation aims to ensure that tenants who have paid a deposit to a landlord or letting agent and are entitled to receive all or part of it back at the end of that tenancy, actually do so. For further information please visit www.depositprotection.co.uk
NOTES FOR TENANTS
The tenancy will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. The initial period shall be a minimum of 6 months.
The rent is payable monthly in advance, the first month’s rent, together with the deposit which is equal to one month’s rent plus £100.00 is payable upon signing the agreement. This amount must be either a banker’s draft, building society cheque or cash.
Housing benefit recipients will be considered if they can provide the deposit and the first month’s rent in advance, together with a guarantor.
References will be taken up from employers and bankers of each tenant and guarantor if necessary. All adult occupiers will be named as joint tenants on the agreement.
A fee of £100.00 for all tenants over the age of 18 and guarantors is payable to cover these costs.
Contract renewals are charged at £30.00
RENT IS TO BE PAID BY STANDING ORDER (IF THIS IS A PROBLEM PLEASE SPEAK TO ONE OF THE LETTING TEAM)
The tenant is responsible for:
- Charges in respect of electricity, gas, water, telephone and council tax.
- For arranging meter readings before commencement and termination of the tenancy.
- Keeping the property in a clean and good state of repair and decoration to the standard on taking possession as shown on the schedule of condition.
- Any redecoration to be agreed in writing with the landlord or the agent before commencement of works.
- Maintaining the garden to a fit state of cultivation, weed flowerbeds, cut grass and disposal of garden waste.
- Ensuring that items on the inventory are in a satisfactory condition on termination of the tenancy.
