Landlord Information

Letting your property with Lees Property Services

Our Letting service includes:

          • Advertising and marketing of the property
          • Accompanied or virtual viewings
          • Reference and credit checks through Vouch
          • Preparation of tenancy agreement (The PRT)
          • Organising of all certificates needed (EPC, EICR, Gas Safeties, Legionella)
          • Full Inventory preparation on Inventory Base
          • Lodging of deposit with Safe Deposit Scotland
          • Utility companies informed of readings, Council informed of tenancy changes
          • Collection of monthly rent from tenants and then paid to landlord
          • Property inspections carried out three times per year – follow up email sent to landlord detailing any issues.

Fees for full management service are:

          • A set-up fee equivalent to 50% of the first monthly rental which covers all the initial services listed above.
          • A management fee of 10% pcm, (8% if two or more properties)
          • No VAT or extra fees
          • Should your property be removed from our services before a tenancy begins, you will be charged for the costs incurred for advertising the property.

Repairs

The responsibility for repairs is down to you, with the exemption of damages caused by the tenant. Repairs can be carried out by nominated parties or by our contractors, their fee will be deducted accordingly. We will organise any repairs with either your preferred contractors or our approved contractors.  We will inform you of any work required before going ahead with repairs, with the exception of emergency repairs. We can also set a pre-agreed limit to works that can be carried out prior to approval.

Rates and Services

Water rates, council tax, gas, electricity, and telephone bills are the responsibilities of the tenant.  We do inform Moray Council of incoming/outgoing tenancies.  We also inform Utility companies and give readings where applicable.

Deposit

One month’s rent is collected for a deposit.  This is lodged with Safe Deposit Scotland within the first week of a new tenancy beginning.  this will be returned to the tenant in full upon satisfactory final inspection at the end of the tenancy agreement. The cost of any breakages or repairs required will be deducted from the deposit.

Landlord Responsibilities

Private Landlord Registration

All landlords and agents are required by law to register with the local authority to ensure they are ‘fit and proper’ to be letting a property. This will help the authority to remove disreputable landlords and agents from the market.

As a landlord, the registration will mean that you will be able to operate in a market without the unfair competition of bad landlords. It will also ensure that Lees Property Services can market the company and you as deemed to be ‘fit and proper’ by the local authority.

The registration lasts for 3 years from the date your application is approved by the local authority.   Please note, we as the letting agents can provide you with any paperwork we hold, however we cannot register on your behalf.

Before a property can be let, you have a number of responsibilities as a private landlord.  In order to gain your Private Landlord Registration, you will need to have certification for the following.

Energy Performance Certificate

As part of a Scottish Government initiative, all Landlords have an obligation under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to provide a certificate which details the energy efficiency of the property. A property cannot fail this check, it will only receive a low rating and a certificate detailing what improvements could be made.

We are happy to arrange for Highland Surveyors Ltd. to carry out the work. The cost is approximately £120.00 (dependent on the size of the property). Should you wish to arrange this yourself, we will require a copy of the certificate for our records. The certificate lasts for 10 years.

Gas Safety Certificate

It is a legal requirement that a Gas Safety Inspection to be carried out by a corgi registered engineer or plumber.  We are happy to arrange for a local engineer to carry out the work. The cost is approximately £75.00. Should you wish to arrange this yourself, we will require a copy of the certificate for our records. The certificate must be renewed every year.

Legionnaires Risk Assessment

Legionnaires’ Disease is a pneumonia like illness caused by the Legionella bacteria and can be fatal. The infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria. The disease cannot be passed from one person to another. Legionella bacteria are found in the natural environment and may contaminate and grow in water systems, including domestic hot and cold-water systems. They survive low temperatures and thrive at temperatures between 20 – 45°C if the conditions are right. They are killed by high temperatures at 60°C or above.

Landlords are under a duty to ensure that the risk of exposure to tenants, residents, and visitors by Legionella is properly assessed and controlled.

We are happy to arrange this with Simpsons Plumbers Ltd. This usually costs around £45.00. Should you wish to arrange this yourself, we will require a copy of the certificate for our records.

Electrial Installation Condition Report

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is also a legal requirement and must be carried out every five years.  It is also considered best practise to have a Visual Check to be carried out between each new tenancy.  The installation of interlinked smoke alarms, a heat alarm and fire extinguishers are required. Alarms can be mains powered with battery backup or use long-life lithium batteries that cannot be changed.  The battery alarms must be a sealed or tamper proof type.  The cost of this is dependent on the size of your property.

Any soft furnishings within the property must comply with the fire safety regulations.

Your property should meet the Repairing Standard.  It needs to be wind and watertight, but also needs water, gas, electricity and heating to be in a reasonable state of repair. 

Buildings & Contents Insurance

Landlords must have suitable buildings insurance in place to cover the property along with any fixtures, fittings and effects that are not the tenant’s responsibility. We are happy to provide a quote for this and arrange for cover to be put in place. Should you wish to arrange this yourself, we will require a copy of the certificate for our records. The certificate must be renewed every year and a copy provided to us. 

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