Every week your property remains un-let it can cost you dearly. We endeavour to let your property in the quickest time at the best rent. We can think of at least 10 good reasons why you should choose only us: We believe we are the busiest and most successful local agent. We are the longest local established Estate Agent in South Harrow now in our 20th year and have re-opened our Harrow branch on Pinner Road. David Conway is a professionally qualified (FRICS) valuer & surveyor David himself has been selling & letting property locally since 1976. We have a reputation locally which is second to none. As we are a family concern we will try harder to achieve the best results. We advertise your property prominently in full colour and regularly in the local press. We are one of the few local agents who take up references by using a specialised referencing agency, endeavouring to ensure we introduce only the very best tenants to your property. (See referencing section) We have our own web-site www.davidconway.co.uk , and are represented on other top property web-sites including:- rightmove.co.uk, findaproperty.com, home-sale.co.uk, fish4homes.co.uk, icHarrow.co.uk, zoopla.co.uk, primelocation.com, globrix.com and more! We will place the details of your property in our prominent window display & with your authority, place our eye catching To Let board at the property. Our South Harrow office has been selected as the ‘Best’ independent Estate Agent to represent the Homesale Network in the South Harrow & the surrounding area. Bringing you more prospective tenants from over 700 associated offices throughout the UK.

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Getting your property right
Every week the property remains empty it is costing you money. Money and time invested in the beginning will more than pay for itself in the medium to long term. At the very least the property should be clean and in good order. Make sure that furnishings and furniture are in good repair and comply with fire regulations (see ‘You and the Law’) curtains (where applicable) are hanging properly, that carpets and floor coverings are clean, wallpaper should be intact and paintwork clean and not chipped; the kitchen and bathroom should be spotless - with no broken cupboard doors etc. Make sure there are no incumbent charges still attached to the property - gas bills, electricity bills, water rates, council tax etc. An in going tenant will want to move in with a "clean slate". In short an untidy property may, attract slovenly tenants!

In short, prepare the property as if you yourself were going to live there. At this stage we would recommend that if the property is unfurnished that you refrain from purchasing furniture until a suitable tenant has been sourced. The property can then be furnished to the tenant’s requirements which would save having purchased unwanted items. We would advise however that in a majority of lets even if the property is unfurnished tenants normally require white goods in the kitchen. We would be happy to advise you on furnishing requirements. It is advisable that you contact your mortgage lender, your insurance company and if you are a leaseholder you should check your lease to ascertain whether you are able to sub let your property.

You and the law
Under the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire Safety) Regulations 1993 all furniture must comply with current fire safety standards. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 and 1996 there must be a gas check carried out to your property by a qualified contractor who must supply you with a gas safety certificate in compliance with these regulations. Every electrical appliance must be tested for safety under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. All the wiring in the property must also be checked by a qualified electrician who should supply you with an electrical safety certificate. Serious breach of the safety laws above could result in heavy fines, and in cases of causing death - imprisonment. We will be happy to arrange gas and electrical safety checks at your cost on your behalf.

Inventory
To comply with the new government legislation, tenant’s deposits will be protected by a regulated agent and disputes about their return should be resolved swiftly, inexpensively and impartially. However, to reach a resolution, one must have an independent inventory in place. We include this in our ‘Gold’ package or you can purchase this separately (see price list) An inventory will provide an independent report on the condition and furnishing at the property at the time of the tenancy beginning. The inventory can then be used to refer to, at the end of the tenancy if arbitration is required.

Houses of multiple occupancy
On the 6th of April 2006 mandatory HMO licensing came into force across England. In brief a property let to more than two people who are not related where the tenants share a kitchen & bathroom will require a license. Once a valid application has been submitted you will still be able to let your property whilst your application is being considered. The cost of a license will depend on the local authority concerned & lasts up to five years. For more detailed information on compliance, criteria & the application process etc. we advise that you visit the government website at www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1151996

Utilities
Unless agreed otherwise the tenant is responsible for payment of gas, electricity water rates and the local authority council tax. As far as leasehold properties are concerned you the landlord are responsible for payments of service charges & ground rent & for the buildings and contents insurance. You should also responsibility to inform your freeholder (if applicable) mortgage lender and current insurance company that you intend to let the property.

Conclusion of the Tenancy
Unless you have arranged a management or check out service, it is the landlord's responsibility to meet the tenants on the final day of the tenancy when all their personal effects have been removed, to check the condition of the property, obtain meter readings and check through the inventory. Landlords should obtain a forwarding address for the tenants so that final readings can be sent to the relevant services so that closing accounts can be forwarded to tenants and the services transferred back into the landlords name or the name of any new tenant. At the end of the tenancy the deposit which has been deposited under the scheme must be reimbursed provided of course that there has been no dispute over damages, damaged or missing furniture or unpaid rent as set out in the Tenancy Agreement. In the event that a dispute is not resolved within 14 days the disputed amount shall be passed to ‘The Dispute Service’ An independent complaints examiner (ICE) will adjudicate & The Dispute Service will distribute the disputed amount according to the instructions of the ICE.

Services	BRONZE Standard	SILVER Rent Collection	GOLD Full Management
Tenant Introduction
Advertising
Credit Checks
Referencing
Assured Shorthold Tenancy (Contract)
Legal Cover for Rent Arrears* **
Setting up Standing Order Mandate
Informing Utilities
Rent Collection
6 Months Rent Guarantee Insurance * **
12 Months Rent Guarantee Insurance * **
Periodic Property Visits
Property Maintenance & Repair
Schedule of Condition Report (Out)
*Schedule of Condition Report (Out) ** Subject to HomeLet's terms and conditions. Please ask for more information

BRONZE Please enquire for charges

Tenant Introduction
We will immediately match your property with our in-house database of actively looking tenants enabling us to arrange viewings almost instantly.
Advertising –
We use a number of medias for advertising including full colour local paper advertising as well as appearing in our prominent office window displays. We also advertise on all of the top property websites i.e. Rightmove, Zoopla, Findaproperty, Property Finder, Globrix, Gumtree, including our www.davidconway.co.uk website.

Referencing & Credit Checks -
Through Homelet, an independent outside referencing agency, the prospective tenants go through an extensive referencing process to include:-
- Credit Checks
- Tenancy application score
- Bankruptcy & Individual Voluntary Arrangement Check
- County Court Judgement and Court Decree check
- Anti-fraud check with fraud score
- Personal Identity Check
- Report on detrimental credit history
- Undisclosed address check as standard
- Bank Validation check
- Anti-terrorist check

Comprehensive Referencing
- Previous landlord or managing agent reference
- Full employers reference or accountants reference if self employed
- Future employer’s reference (if required)
- If required we will obtain additional documentation such as bank statements or wage slips to support an application

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (Contract) –
We will provide you and the tenants with a legally binding assured shorthold tenancy agreement & the required ‘section 21’notiice enabling you the landlord to gain possession of your property end of the tenancy. 

TDS – Please enquire for charges
We will retain tenants' deposits in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents (TDSRA) and account for these at the end of the tenancy in accordance with the rules of the Deposit Scheme

Standing Order – We will provide the tenant with your bank details in order for them to set up a standing order to pay their rent directly into your account (This applies to Bronze Package only)

Utilities We will inform the utility companies of the meter readings entry supplying the details of the new tenants & passing your details over as landlords for any interim bills during unoccupied periods. Please note Landlords are not responsible for any unpaid utility bills or council tax payments any periods when the property is occupied by a tenant.

Legal expenses

We will through HomeLet provide you with legal expense cover should you need to gain possession of your property due to non payment of rent.
 

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SILVER Please enquire for charges

Includes all of the above, plus;

Rent Collection – We will collect the rental payments from the tenant and then forward it you by way of a Bacs payment each month. This service suits those Landlords who do not wish to be chasing tenant’s rental payments if for any reason they are late or if the tenants find themselves in financial difficulties.  More often than not it’s far better & more likely that you will achieve a satisfactory outcome if an agent rather than a Landlord addresses your tenant on this delicate matter.  This together with the rent guarantee insurance this should provide you with complete peace of mind. 

 

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GOLD  Please enquire for charges

Includes all of the benefits listed in the Bronze and Silver Packages, plus;

Legal Expenses and Rent Guarantee Insurance for 12 months
-We provide our cover from HomeLet who have a specialist in-house Legal and Claims team to ensure your claim is paid promptly.
-All legal costs incurred in evicting the tenant as a result of non-payment of the rent, up to a maximum £25,000.
Cover pays you up to five rental payments.

Full Management –
- Properties inspected prior to letting & advice given as to works required at the property.
- Providing a first point of contact for the Tenant & liaising with the Landlord.
- All rents collected from tenants and accounted for direct to the landlord’s bank account via BACS once cleared
- Statements  produced on a monthly basis showing rent received & expenses.
- Two property visits will be carried out based on a 12 month contract and one visit for a 6 month contract to ensure tenant compliance with the terms of the letting. Any additional checks and reports can be carried out at an additional charge
- Maintenance and repairs will be handled by our and contractors instructed within an agreed budget.
-Tenants & Landlords provided with a 24 hour contact number in case of emergencies.
-Day to day management matters including arranging for minor repairs through our Property Management Department up to a maximum of £200 + Vat without the Landlords approval. For repairs over £200 + Vat we will contact the Landlord for approval except in an emergency in the case where the Landlord cannot be contacted immediately. Wherever practical estimates are obtained and submitted to you for approval.
-Our management appointment is for the letting period and does not include security or supervision of the property when it is not let, other than where special arrangements are made.

Schedule of Condition Report (Out) -
-When the tenancy agreement expires and tenants are not renewing, we will organise for an unbiased inventory clerk to organise a schedule of condition report (out)/check out.

-You will need to be aware that fair wear and tear of the property is not the responsibility of the tenant.

-We will inform the tenant that there will be a check out at the property and this if the property is not left clean and tidy, there may be charges from their deposit for the cleaning or to pay for any damage. The clerk will check the original inventory.

-Photographic C.D. will also be provided for you and the tenant for ease of comparison at the end of the tenancy.

-The deposit will only be released back to the tenant once you have given us permission to do so based on the evidence shown in this report.

Upgrades & Extras

Tenancy Deposit Scheme Please enquire for charges
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has been established under the Housing Act 2004. It requires landlords to register details of the start and end of all Assured Shorthold Tenancies. The Dispute Service (TDS) runs this particular scheme and is required to supply summarised details of all tenancies to [the Department of] Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Please enquire for charges
From the 1st October 2008 properties must not be placed on the market to rent without an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). We would be happy to arrange this on your behalf. The company who we organise these through are fully licensed and BRE qualified to carry out this service.

P.A.T Testing - Please enquire for charges
Portable Appliance Testing is recommended by insurance companies on all rented properties.
We include complimentary plug changing with the P.A.T. Test if required

Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate Please enquire for charges
All Landlords have a legal requirement to have a Gas Safety Inspection carried out on any accommodation they are renting out. Landlord Gas Safety Inspections must be carried out every 12 months by a Corgi Registered Engineer. We are able to arrange this for your convenience at the price quoted above.

Upgrade to 12 months rent guarantee & legal expenses Please enquire for charges

The policy is also transferable which ensures cover is in place even when your tenants change – subject to satisfactory referencing

Additional property visits Please enquire for charges

 

Inventory Please enquire for charges

An independent inventory should be prepared before the start of a new tenancy. It is used to check the tenant into the property when they arrive (schedule of condition – in) and should be used as a checklist to ensure the standard of the property is maintained at the time of the tenants departure (schedule of condition – out).

The inventory lists the property room by room and will include decorative condition, electrics, fixtures and fittings, furniture and storage (where applicable).

The inventory will mention the condition of each item and all equipment with further description (where appropriate), keys at the property and meter readings where possible.

Photographic CD will also be provided for Landlord/Tenant at the beginning of the tenancy.

When agreed and signed by the tenant and the landlord or their representatives, the inventory becomes a legal document.

Schedule of Condition Report (In) Please enquire for charges

At the time that the tenant moves in ('checks-in'), we will go through the inventory report with them, noting and revising any discrepancies in either content or condition of the items listed.   We take meter readings and ensure that the Check-In Report is agreed and signed by the tenant or their representatives. If, as a result of the check-in, the inventory needs to be amended, we will issue an updated copy of the inventory.

 

Should you wish for us to market the property on your behalf
please call us on 020 8422 5222