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| WHY USE HOLLAND ALEXANDER TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY We could talk about competitive fees and marketing like every other estate agent, however Estate Agency is about PEOPLE as well as PROPERTY and the PRICE is only part of a PROCESS in which a PROFESSIONAL Estate Agent is key to reducing the stress and uncertainty involved. The Co-Directors Tim Holland and David Loosley, as well as having professional qualifications, have over 30 years of experience selling and letting property in good times and bad. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation, explain our approach, inspect your PROPERTY and advise you PROPERLY. PEOPLE are individuals with different motivations. Taking time to understand how the proposed sale fits into your life will help us to advise you properly. By investigating a prospective buyer’s situation we can gauge how likely they are to actually complete the purchase. This should be taken into account before an offer is accepted. It might be better to say no and continue marketing rather than slapping up a ‘SOLD’ sign and then having to take it down again later having wasted marketing time. PROPERTY is the most valuable asset that most people own. Why is it then that many people spend more time on deciding how to buy or sell their car than they do their property? Just as you would clean and tidy a car your home should be well presented to prospective buyers. Who are the most likely type of buyers? How can you make it appeal to them? A little time and effort at the start is often well worthwhile. We consider that advice on this should be part of the Estate Agents role. PRICE is an important part of marketing but is only a part. Some Agents will suggest a high price in an attempt to get a property on the books. However yours is unlikely to sell for that price if there are other similar properties available. A good estate agent will consider what else is available and how to make your house stand out so that prospective buyers choose to view yours before others. After taking into account your overall situation we will tell you what we really think not what we think you want to hear! PROCESS of a property transaction needs to be understood by everyone involved. People often get disappointed when sales seem to drag on. Until everyone is ready to exchange contracts no-one can say when completion might be, so no date can be set. An experienced Estate Agent will monitor progress, anticipate problems and communicate to reduce both delays and risk of a transaction failing to complete. PROFESSIONAL is a word that is often misused. We consider that it means that we should always consider the welfare of the Client first whilst acting within a legal and ethical framework and being fair to anyone else involved. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation, explain our approach, inspect your PROPERTY and advise you PROPERLY WHY USE HOLLAND ALEXANDER FOR LETTING YOUR PROPERTY Whilst the amount of rent is important we firmly believe that the quality of Tenant is more important and the best way for a Landlord to judge our approach is to ensure they know how we treat prospective tenants. The information below is given to prospective tenants at the outset. We strongly recommend that prospective Tenants study the following notes carefully as they form the usual basis on which properties are offered through our agency. These notes are subject to the contents of the individual property particulars and tenancy agreements which take precedence over these notes. Initial Interview. Before taking you to view a property we will ask you some questions by telephone or in person about your financial ability and general suitability for the property you are interested in. Suitability depends on the property and the preferences of individual Landlords. At any stage the Landlord may wish to meet you and we, or the Landlord may wish to inspect your current home. Guarantor. A guarantor will usually be needed if you are under 25, receive housing benefit or your income is less than three times the rent. A guarantor might also be needed if you have had financial difficulties. If a guarantor is involved they will have to complete an application form and have checks made on their financial circumstances. The Guarantor will be as responsible for all the terms of the tenancy as the tenant. They will need to see and sign the tenancy agreement and a form of guarantee. Application. Prospective Tenants wishing to take a tenancy of a particular property must complete an application form. One form will be needed for each person and guarantor. The forms must be completed in full. We will not proceed with incomplete applications. Include all telephone numbers, postcodes and full names and addresses. The questions set out on the application form represent information about prospective tenants generally required by our Landlord clients. You should then make an appointment to bring the form or forms with you for a personal interview. Restrictions. Whilst we try and treat each application on its merits some landlords express preferences about housing benefit, children, pets and smoking. This will usually be discussed at the application stage but if you are particularly concerned please ask before arranging to view a property. Referencing Fee. Generally for each applicant and guarantor a referencing fee of £70 will be required before we take up references and carry out other checks on your background. Once a referencing fee is accepted we will not accept an application from anyone else whilst these checks are being carried out. The referencing fee does not guarantee that the tenancy will be offered. However, we will not accept a referencing fee unless we are reasonably sure that it will. This assumes satisfactory responses to the references within a reasonable time. It is up to you to check with your referees that they have received the request for information from us, or the referencing agency, and are replying quickly. If the Landlord withdraws the property for letting or accepts another offer the referencing fee will be returned. The referencing fee will NOT be returned if the prospective tenant withdraws or if the references or responses to the other checks are unsatisfactory. By unsatisfactory we mean if they do not confirm the information you have given us. In that case your application will be refused and the referencing fee will go towards the costs of our time involved. Information. Any information about you or the guarantor that we receive during the application process will be passed onto the landlord to enable them to decide on your suitability as a tenant or guarantor. Identity. Tenants and Guarantors will be required to prove their identities and current addresses before an application proceeds. This will involve allowing us to photocopy a current passport or driving licence, a recent utility bill or bank letter or statement heading. Approval. Once the references and other information are received we will discuss their content with the Landlord. If satisfied we will then contact you and offer you the tenancy subject to contract and arrange a start date. We will then arrange for preparation of the Tenancy Agreement. Tenancy Agreement. Each tenancy will be subject to a Tenancy Agreement. This agreement will be prepared in duplicate. One copy will be sent to the Landlord for them to sign and the other will be sent to you and any Guarantor. This is a legally binding document. If there is anything in it which you or the Guarantor do not understand or are unsure about you should consult a Solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau before signing. Tenancy Length. Properties are offered for rent on assured shorthold tenancies for six months. In many cases the landlord is prepared to renew or extend that period subject to the satisfactory conduct of the Tenant. However Holland Alexander & Co cannot guarantee a longer term. Ingoing Costs. The deposit, first months rent and contribution to the landlords costs must be paid in full prior to the start of the tenancy. We are unable to allow access to the property if these sums have not been paid. They either need to be paid in cash or to be paid by cheque at least 7 working days before the start of the tenancy to allow time for the cheque to be paid in and clear. If an inventory clerk is to attend to check the tenant into the property their fee in the region of £30 plus VAT will also be payable. Tenancy Deposit. A deposit equal to at least one months rent will be required. This is required as a payment on account to underwrite each tenants liabilities under the terms the Tenancy Agreement. If Holland Alexander & Company Limited are to manage the property (i.e. collect the rent) then the deposit will be retained by Holland Alexander & Company Limited as agent for the landlord. This means that we can only return the deposit with the landlords approval. Where Holland Alexander & Company Limited are only introducing the tenant, the deposit will be paid on to the Landlord. Rent. The Tenancy Agreement will specify how the rent is to be paid after the first payment. It will usually be paid to us (or to the Landlord if we do not manage the property) by Standing Order direct from the tenant’s bank account (or Building Society account if appropriate). A signed and completed Standing Order instruction form must be handed over to us for onward transmission to a tenants bank with the payments set out above before the commencement of the tenancy. Landlords Costs. The Landlord will have various costs to pay which may include a letting fee, agreement fee, and preparation of a record of condition and/or inventory. Instead of passing individual costs onto the tenant a fixed contribution of is payable by the tenant. Stamp Duty. Stamp Duty is payable on some tenancies. Stamp duty must be paid within 30 days of the date the agreement becomes effective. If you do not have the document stamped within this period you will be liable to pay a penalty as well as stamp duty. If you decide not to have your agreement stamped it cannot be used as evidence in a Court of Law, except in criminal proceedings, or for any other matter. Bills. Tenants will be responsible for the payment of all bills including Council Tax, Electricity, Water, Sewerage, gas and telephones (if connected). Where we know the address of the service provider we will give them the Tenants name and meter readings, if applicable, at the start of the tenancy. Tenants must make arrangements direct with British Telecom. Existing telephone numbers must not be changed without the consent of the Landlord. If there are key or card meters for gas or electricity
the Tenant will need to arrange direct with the gas or electric
company to have the meters reset. This can take several working
days so should arranged prior to the tenancy start to ensure the
supply is available when moving in. Insurance. The Landlord is only
responsible for insuring the building. The Landlord is not responsible
for any damage to the Tenants contents even if caused by damage
to the building. The Tenant should insure their contents against
any damage.
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