1. If you have a mortgage on your property, you must obtain written permission from your mortgage lender.

2. Your insurance company will need to be informed that you will be letting your property/ies. Some insurance companies will refuse to insure your property if let.

3. If you are going overseas, you will need to inform the Inland Revenue and obtain a FICO exemption certificate. This will allow us to pay you your rent without deducting tax.

4. You must ensure your property is ready for letting. Please contact a member of staff to discuss the standards expected.

We are able to offer
2 types of service in which to let your property. (Student properties incur a charge of £100.00 per property, to cover the Council accreditation inspection & administration).

Tenant Introduction Service
You may want us to find tenants for you, without us being involved in the management of the property. As with all our services, your property will be extensively advertised within our office and on our web site.

We arrange viewings accompanied or otherwise at the property. Once applicants are found, a reference check is done, making full use of a professional referencing agency, before an application is accepted. PRO Lettings will liase with all landlords to discuss applications whilst preparing the contract, which is provided by the law society, and sit with the tenants for a tenancy signing, which lasts approximately 40 minutes. At the tenancy signing a deposit is taken from each tenant. Once the tenants have signed the agreement, you will receive all relevant details through the post, including the deposit transfer information (this is a legal requirement).

From then on, you will be responsible for the day to day running of the property. We offer free advice in all other aspects of renting, either over the telephone or at the accommodation office in person. The fee for the Tenant Introduction Service is 3/4 months rent (+ VAT).

Deposit Protection Scheme
As you may be aware, it is a legal requirement for all deposits taken by Landlords and Letting Agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST’s) in England and Wales commencing from 6th April 2007, to be safeguarded within a Government-authorised tenant deposit protection scheme.

PRO Lettings Ltd currently uses ‘The Deposit Protection Service’ to hold all deposits received in accordance with the new legislation.

At the end of the tenancy it will be necessary for the Deposit Protection Service to be notified of any deductions that are intended to be made from the deposit, and the payment from the deposit held must be agreed to by both the Landlord and the Tenant. Should any amount be disputed an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service, run by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, will aim to resolve the matter quickly and without the need for court action.

Full Management Service
Our dedicated team of experienced staff will deal with every aspect of letting your property. As well as dealing with the day to day running of the tenancy, this service also includes the full marketing of the property, accompanied viewings for prospective tenants, legal arrangements concerning the tenancy agreement, collection and administration of rent and damage deposits and arrears management. This services costs 10% (+VAT) of the rental income, deducted upon receipt of the monthly rent, with an initial setup fee of £200 (+VAT).

Professional Tenant Selection
In finding new tenants, PRO Lettings offers accompanied viewings (where the existing tenants are unable to show people around). Prospective tenants will be required to complete application forms if they wish to live at the property. PRO Lettings then screen each individual, making full use of a professional referencing agency, before an application is accepted. Our experienced Lettings Officers will then deal with tenancy signings, and try to ensure that tenants meet their obligations under the tenancy agreement.

This includes:
[br] Inspecting the property regularly, for damage and cleanliness. The tenants are also provided with a comprehensive handbook giving them information on all aspects of living in a rented property. This includes information on utility bills and council tax, as the tenants are responsible for organising the provision of gas, electricity and telephone themselves (PRO Lettings will liase with the council regarding tax).

Legal advice
If there are any legal issues regarding the tenancy, we have access to solicitors who will advise us accordingly.

Handover Period
Between the end of one tenancy and the beginning of another we advise a short vacant period where possible, in order that we can ensure the property is ready for the new tenants (allowing time for any repair work or cleaning that may be required). We advise that houses are given a thorough clean between tenancies. If the cleaning required is excessive, the tenants will be charged.

Inventory
We provide managed properties with an inventory and schedule of condition. However, our staff would be happy to arrange this with unmanaged properties, for a one off payment. The inventory assists us when we carry out a final inspection after the tenants have left, and this along with our inspection, forms the basis of our damage deposit decision where we determine whether to refund a deposit in full or make deductions.

Repairs
PRO Lettings have a database of contractors, which we use on a regular basis. We are therefore able to arrange repairs to the property on your behalf. This includes obtaining quotations for works to be carried out. This is only applicable to minor repair works, we regret we are unable to arrange any mojor building works on your behalf.

For further information, help and advice, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01332 298 198 or derby@prolettings.co.uk inspecting the property regularly, for damage and cleanliness.

The tenants are also provided with a comprehensive handbook giving them information on all aspects of living in a rented property. This includes information on utility bills and council tax, as the tenants are responsible for organising the provision of gas, electricity and telephone themselves (PRO Lettings will liase with the council regarding tax).