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Landlord Guide

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Landlord Guide

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The team at Arington have a wealth of experience in letting all types of residential lettings properties across Sussex, from studio apartments through to HMO’s (houses of multiple occupation), from the single professional through to groups of students. For more information on renting to students view our student landlords guide.

Due to the nature of the lettings industry, legislation is frequently being updated with an ever greater emphasis being placed upon landlords. As professionally accredited letting agents we have the experience and knowledge to look after your property and take the strain.

With a passion for property and a desire to provide an outstanding professional service to both landlords and tenants, the lettings team at Arington have compiled the following guide to assist landlords in their understanding of the letting process and the many legal obligations placed upon them.

Extracts from our landlord’s guide:

Where to start – New to letting and looking at buying a buy to let

When looking for your investment or next investment, speak to our team with the knowledge to assist you in finding the property that will best suit your budget, level of experience and time constraints...leading to your investment delivering the results you desire...request our full landlords guide

Why choose us

Professional Recognition - Arington takes great pride in our professional recognition and performing to the highest industry standards. Through continuous training, our staff remain at the forefront of industry developments and legislation changes, ensuring our landlords receive exceptional industry knowledge.

Arington are proud to be members of ‘The Property Ombudsman’ (TPO) and the ‘Association of Residential Letting Agents’ (ARLA – Propertymark)...request our full landlords guide

Service levels to suit your needs

Arington offer a range of comprehensive packages to provide stress free letting.

We understand the importance of your asset(s) and that it can be a daunting experience becoming a landlord, in ensuring you’re meeting your legal requirements...request our full landlords guide

Getting started – Free market appraisal and valuation

Arington offer a market appraisal and valuation of your property FREE of charge with no obligation...request our landlords guide

Request a free market appraisal and free valuation

Marketing & Letting your property

As you would when selling a property, lettings properties should be marketed to their full potential and ‘sold’ to future tenants. Arington use a variety of methods to generate the maximum interest, achieving the best rental price and finding the most suitable tenant...request our full landlords guide

Meeting your legal requirements

  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

    All properties to be marketed for sale or rent legally require an EPC. In addition, legislation updates that came into effect on the 1st October 2015, where a tenancy began on or after the 1st October 2015 a landlord must possess an EPC for the property, before they may serve a Section 21 for it to be valid. A copy of the EPC must be made available for the tenants prior to entering into a tenancy agreement...request our full landlords guide.

  • Electrical Safety

    Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Plugs & Sockets etc (Safety Regulations 1994 landlords are...request our full landlords guide.

  • Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificates

    Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, all landlords across the UK have a legal obligation...request our full landlords guide.

  • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

    For all new tenancies commencing on or after the 1st October 2015...request our full landlords guide.

  • The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

    The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998 (As amended 1989, 1993 & 2010) – Landlords are required to ensure that all...request our full landlords guide.

  • Consents to Let

    If you have a residential mortgage, you will require...request our full landlords guide.

  • Buildings & Contents Insurance

    Landlords are required by law to take out...request our full landlords guide.

  • Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

    A property is classed as an HMO if it is let to 3 or more tenants not from...request our full landlords guide.

  • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

    Your local council may choose to...request our full landlords guide.

Additional Areas of consideration for Landlords

Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure a property is...request our full landlords guide.

Preparing for the tenancy

  • Tenancy Agreements / The Legal Documents

    A tenancy agreement is a legally binding document, setting out the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant.

    The majority of tenancies are let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST) under the Housing Act 1988 as amended 1996, for a fixed period of 6 months or greater.

    There are some circumstances where an AST cannot be used...request our full landlords guide.

  • Cleaning & Gardening

    It is recommended that a property is professionally cleaned with...request our full landlords guide.

  • Inventory / Schedule of Condition

    Many landlords ask the question: why an Inventory / Schedule of Condition is required when they are not...request our full landlords guide.

  • Tenancy Deposit Schemes

    Since April 2007, all new AST’s where a security deposit is taken from the tenant; the security deposit must...request our full landlords guide.

  • Utilities and Council Tax

    Tenants are usually responsible for...request our full landlords guide.

  • Keys

    At least one set of keys should be provided per tenant, along with...request our full landlords guide.

  • Redirection of Mail

    Arington recommend landlords take steps to...request our full landlords guide.

During the tenancy

  • Collection of rent

    Arington are quickly able to identify any issues as they arise and address them swiftly. For complete peace of mind Arington offer a rent and legal expenses guarantee. Arington produce monthly landlord statements detailing rent received less any landlord fees and disbursements...request our full landlords guide.

  • Property manager

    All our properties are allocated their very own...request our full landlords guide.

  • Mid-Term Inspections

    Mid-term inspections are an essential part of effective property management. Mid-term inspections provide landlords with...request our full landlords guide.

  • Repairs & Maintenance

    Arington have built up a network of reliable and trusted contractors throughout Sussex, who can arrange...request our full landlords guide.

  • Tenancy Renewals / Rent Reviews / Notices

    Arington will advise on tenancy renewals, rent reviews and notices to be issued, and where instructed we will...request our full landlords guide.

  • Tax and Tax on Overseas Landlords

    If you receive funds for renting a property you are receiving...request our full landlords guide.

Rent Guarantee

For complete peace of mind Arington offer a rent and legal expenses guarantee...request our full landlords guide.

End of Tenancy

  • Regaining possession

    Arington will serve the relevant legal notices to end a tenancy upon your instructions. Should the tenant fail to vacate or you wish to evict a tenant due to breaches of the tenancy agreement...request our full landlords guide.

  • Re Marketing & Void Periods

    Once you know your tenants will be leaving...request our full landlords guide.

  • End of Tenancy Checks and Deposit Return

    At the end of the tenancy , a...request our full landlords guide.

  • Utilities

    Arington...request our full landlords guide.

Supporting our tenants

Arington are strong believers that a happy tenant equals a happy landlord. If we can keep a tenant happy, whilst ensuring they understand and adhere to their obligations, it commonly results in longer tenancies and better cared for properties.

Management pack and dedicated property manager – Arington issue our tenants with an extensive management pack that will not just help them to settle into the property but guide and support them throughout the tenancy...request our full landlords guide.

  • Lost Key Service for Tenants

    Arington offer...request our full landlords guide.

  • Utility Management

    Arington...request our full landlords guide.

  • Tenants Contents Insurance

    Arington offer tenant’s content’s insurance, again reducing...request our full landlords guide.

Service fees & schedule

Arington offer a range of packages to meet your requirements. From our basic finder’s fee package for the confident landlord with time to resolve issues as and when they arise, to our fully managed premium package for complete peace of mind...request our full landlords guide with landlord fees and landlord services.

Landlord’s checklist

Arington have compiled a handy landlord’s checklist...request our full landlords guide.

Landlord Guide FAQs

Question: What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is the amount of tax on a property or land purchase payable to the government upon the completion. The amount you pay depends upon the purchase price and your circumstances. When purchasing a buy to let that is not your only property you will be liable to pay an additional 3% on top of the standard rate of stamp duty payable. Stamp duty can also be incurred where a property rental exceeds £125,000 per annum. Use our stamp duty calculator here to find out how much or if you will need to pay when purchasing a property. View the stamp duty payable on stamp duty land tax.

Question: How much stamp duty will I have to pay on a property purchase?

Use our stamp duty calculator to work out how much you will need to pay.

Question: Furnished or unfurnished?

The answer will depend upon the property, location and tenant you are looking for. Best to speak with Arington, contact Arington.

Question: How much rent can I expect to achieve?

Arrange a free market appraisal with Arington and we will be able to advise you. Arrange a free valuation.