The Vesta Management Process
So you’re looking to rent your property. Whether it’s a home you currently live in, or have lived in recently, or a buy to let investment, we know what a huge deal of trust you’re putting in us.
Let’s take you on the journey.
- Let's view your property and provide a current market valuation to secure you the right rental income and draw in viewers
- Your property will feature prominently on all major property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and On the Market, as well as our social media
- An experienced property manager will escort all viewings to your property and ensure all applicants are fully briefed about the property, the terms and conditions of the let and the potential time frame they can move in
Once a let has been negotiated and agreed between landlord and tenant:
- Your new tenant will undergo a comprehensive credit check, satisfy the credit check, provide details of their employment and a previous landlord reference (if they have one)
- Should your tenant fail to meet the income requirements to satisfy the referencing criteria, they may be able to provide a guarantor, who will be subject to the same referencing procedure<
- All tenants will be asked to set up a standing order payment for monthly rental periods. When a tenant pays a term in advance, they may prefer to make this payment in one lump sum at a time
- The tenant will be served with all the documents needed to meet your legal obligations; for example the Government How To Rent Guide, Gas Safety Certificate (where appropriate), EICR and Energy Performance Certificate at the time they are issued their tenancy agreement
- Your new tenant can move in once funds have cleared. We will meet them at their new home with a welcoming gift, and talk them through the essential things they need to know, and answer any questions they may have>
Property Safety
As your property management partner, safety and compliance are at the forefront of what we do.
- Gas Safety Inspection – Tested every 12 months by a registered Gas Safe engineer. We recommend you conduct a service simultaneously to save on duplicate call-out charges
- Legionella Risk Assessment – Every 2 years (though more pressing in properties which have been empty for long periods)
- Electrical Safety Report – Every 5 years
- PAT Testing – Any portable electrical appliances left at the property should be PAT tested.
- Energy Performance Certificate – Every 10 years
- Smoke Alarms – All properties are legally required to have a smoke alarm fitted on each level of the property which must be working at the beginning of the tenancy and on ‘moving in’ day
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms – since 1st October 2022 it is legally required to have a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is a solid fuel or gas burning appliance (yes, that includes your gas boiler!)
Additional Information
- Consents - The Landlord confirms that any other consents or approvals to let the Property have been properly obtained, in particular from the Landlords’ mortgage lender and the freeholder/head Lessee of the Property
- Deposits – The maximum deposit we can collect against your property is the equivalent of 5 weeks' rent unless the property has an annual income of over £50,000. If you rent out your home on an AST that started after 6 April 2007, you must place your tenants’ deposit in 1 of 3 tenancy deposit protection schemes:
- Deposit Protection Service
- MyDeposits
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme. We are members of the DPS Custodial scheme (more info here).
Furnishings – Should any furniture remain in a property, then you, as Landlord, must ensure it is maintained and (for electrical/mechanical equipment) repaired should it become faulty, Any soft furnishings (chairs, beds, mattresses, sofas, etc.) must comply with The Fire and Furnishings Regulations as well as be clearly labeled attesting to said compliance. Any furnishings that are non-compliant must be removed from the property.
Insurance - As Landlord, you remain responsible for the building and thus for insurance of the building(s). The Landlord accordingly confirms that the Property is insured against all usual risks and will continue to insure the structure of the buildings and contents. The Landlord warrants that the insurance company has been informed that the Property is to be let and that any permission required from the insurance company has been obtained.
Inventories - An inventory, or schedule of condition, is a report on the contents and state of your Property. Such reports provide an independent record of the condition of the property at the start of a tenancy and are included in our management packages. At the end of the tenancy, a checkout report against the original inventory should be completed to guide us as to whether there have been any dilapidations and any discrepancies, save fair wear and tear, will be cost estimated and then deducted from the tenant’s deposit.
Non-Resident Landlords - We work with plenty of landlords whose home is overseas, we have an obligation in law to deduct tax from your rental income and submit a return to HMRC in respect of the same. It’s usually possible for you to obtain an exemption certificate which would entitle you to receive rent gross of tax. If so, we must be provided with and hold a copy of this certificate.
Property charges – You, the Landlord pay all ground rent, service charges, insurance premiums, mortgage payments and any other charges or sums due concerning the Property, together with any hire purchase or similar payments relating to the contents of the Property.
Tax - Income received from renting any property is subject to tax. Expenses incurred can be set against this liability. We strongly recommend that you take advice from a qualified accountant.
Utilities - Generally, utilities are your tenants' responsibility. We provide a ‘Switch’ service for the transfer of the accounts into the name of your tenant and (to make it easy for all parties) complete this as standard