Tel: 01424 217337
E-mail: info@polecatproperties.co.uk
The Switching Service
Fancy a Change?
Are you:
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100% satisfied with your current managing agent?
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Getting the best return possible on your investment property?
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Enjoying managing your rental property yourself?
If you answered 'No' to any of these questions then you might want to consider our switching service.
Switching from one letting agent to another can be a straightforward process. First, review your current contract to ensure you understand any notice periods or termination conditions. Of if you have decided that property management is taking up time that you would rather use for something else then we can help you. Simply contact us and we will take care of everything.
The Switching Service; Your Questions Answered.....
1. I have an agreement with my letting agent, can I end the agreement? It will often be the case that you will be tied in to an initial fixed term period with your letting agent. This is to avoid landlords leaving a company immediately after an agent has invested considerable time and effort in finding, referencing and moving in a new tenant. The initial term can vary from agent to agent, but it is usually 6 to 12 months. The best place to start is to check the Terms of Business that you have signed, this document will outline the fixed term period and also the notice that you must give to terminate your contract. If you are out with your initial fixed term, or are approaching the end of the contract, you can most likely end the contract by giving 1 or 2 months’ written notice. This does not have to coincide with the end of your current tenancy.
2. My Property has good tenants and I don’t want to lose them, do I have to wait until the end of the tenancy Many landlords believe that they have to wait until the end of a tenancy to switch letting agent, however, this is not the case. The Tenancy Agreement is a contract between the landlord and the tenant, with the agent working on behalf of the landlord, so changing agent does not affect the legal rights or obligations of either party. It is actually a much more straightforward process to change agent during an ongoing tenancy as it means that the new agent can smoothly transition the property without the added task of advertising and finding a tenant. If a letting agent has not been delivering on service, it is likely that the tenant will be pleased that the management is changing, meaning that they may be more likely to stay in the property for longer than they would have with the previous agent.
3. What do I have to do? I haven’t got the time to switch agent. Changing letting agent – whether at the end of or during a tenancy – really is a straightforward process for landlords. Once a landlord has given their agent written notice that they no longer require their services Polecat Properties will handle all aspects of the switch on behalf of the Landlord.
What will you once I decide to switch? 1.Contact the tenant The first step for us is to get contact details for your tenant. We liaise with the tenant directly regarding the changeover, letting them know who we are and when we will be taking over the property. We ensure that the tenant knows who to contact in the event of any maintenance issues, and has the correct bank details to make rent payments. •Obtain tenancy documents Including the Tenancy Agreement, proscribed information, referencing reports, deposit details, and check-in inventory. 2. Obtain property documents Including safety certificates and warranties. We will check that your property is fully compliant with current safety legislation. 3. Collect keys We will collect all sets of keys held by the previous agent on behalf of the landlord. 4. Arrange a property inspection Our initial inspections are scheduled in the first 6 weeks from taking on the property. Inspections are then 6 monthly, unless we identify an issue that requires more regular inspections.