Landlords

Thank you for clicking on our Landlords page. We would love to help you match with the best possible tenant(s) that you're looking for. Let us know how we can help....our contact page on our Meet the Team page can be used to direct message us.

We’ve been established in Birmingham since 2003 and are landlords ourselves and have a wealth of experience in assisting you whether you are a new or experienced landlord.

Did you know…….We’ve recently won the top award in the British Property Awards for our Lettings Service and we’d love to help you with whatever rental opportunity you approach us with!

Click here to read more: Ferndown Estates wins Gold Award in British Property Awards

Click her to read more: Ferndown Estates wins Gold Award in Daily Telegraph / ESTAS London Awards

We recognise that right from the start it's helpful for you to know about how we operate. First of all, let’s cover our fees.

Click here to view our Agency Agreement which includes our levels of service and our landlord fees

It is important you review all charges from agents as some may exclude certain important elements of the lettings process and charge additional money should you require them.

We were one of the very first Agents in England and Wales to scrap the charging of tenant fees in October 2017. This was in advance of the Governments’ announcement to ban letting fees to tenants which came into effect on 1st June 2019.

Our fees are reflective of the work undertaken to move a quality tenant into your property. Our referencing process can include visiting a prospective tenants’ home before moving into your property and assuming the tenants pass our referencing you will be able to qualify for a rent protection policy which includes legal cover (Included for 12 months free of charge in our Managed service)

If you're interested in speaking to us about assisting you, then feel free to call, e-mail or make an appointment to pop into our office whenever you're ready!

We are part of the Safeagent Client Money Protection Scheme

Please click here to view our Client Money Protection Certificate

Establishing Your Property's Value

Whilst a general picture of your local market place can be researched and assessed via website property portals, to establish an accurate rental value for your property you will benefit from the services of an accredited property management company.

We will visit your property and meet with you and we will discuss your specific needs relevant to your own situation, market forces and current demand. This will also include our own experience of previous rental transactions in your street and activity levels with other property similar to your own.

From this we will be able to advise you on the value range applicable to your property and anything we think you can do to enhance this value. We will then suggest an appropriate marketing strategy for you and discuss this to meet your requirements.

Our comprehensive marketing strategy will be explained together with the service level you can expect from Ferndown. Any questions or concerns you have will also be addressed and points of contact will be given.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme

For our Managed properties, we use the Tenancy Deposit Insurance Scheme. If you intend on managing the property yourself (non-managed) you will need to make your own arrangements with the tenants’ deposit within the required timeframe following the start of the tenant.

The TDS has been developed to ensure that the deposits are protected and that disputes about their return are resolved swiftly, inexpensively and impartially. Under TDS if there is no dispute the deposit will be returned at the end of the tenancy by us.

If there is a dispute, the disputed amount will be sent to the TDS. The dispute will deal with by their Independent Complaints Examiner (ICE). The ICE will not visit the property, but adjudicate on the dispute by way of a paper trail.

The housing Act does not dictate that landlords produce inventories or schedules of condition, but the suggestion is that a landlord will need to provide evidence of the condition of the property at the commencement and termination of the tenancy if he is to win his case should there be a deposit dispute. Our managed service includes the production of a comprehensive inventory report which is issued to all parties and reflects the condition of the property at the commencement of a tenancy.

Fixtures & fittings

All fixtures and appliances should be serviced and PAT tested (where applicable) before the start of the tenancy and in good working order. If you have instruction booklets, make them available or write out clear instructions for use. All items left at the property are replacement items and this should be considered in both your expectations and the rental figure your property will achieve.

All properties should be fitted with smoke alarms on each floor of the property (in the event of a first floor maisonette, then the entrance hallway should have an alarm fitted along with one installed on the first floor) Where the property benefits from a solid fuel heating appliance, then a carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed in the same room.

We would recommend a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm is installed in each rental property where there is a gas appliance fitted for the safety of the chosen tenants and their families.

Selecting an Estate Agent

Having established the rental value of your property and decided to go onto the market, you will need to choose an Agent to act for you. When considering which company to use, watch out for those suggesting inflated values (which can leave you languishing on the market and lose you weeks of rental income) We would also suggest you ask the Agent in question what legal redress they offer in the event of you needing to make a complaint against them in future.

Property Management is a complex business and one that requires a high level of competence and experience to ensure you are aware of your legal responsibilities. It’s also important you know and trust your chosen agent and understand that whatever actions your chosen agent undertakes is done so in your name. Did you know that you are legally liable for your agents actions?

Furnished or unfurnished

There can be a marked difference between the rental achieved for a furnished property depending on the level of furnishing. Providing a property for let on a fully furnished basis does require you to provide for more than basic furniture and appliances.

'Unfurnished' is normally defined as being provided with flooring only. Potentially the property may have other soft furnishing items like curtains.
'Furnished' is usually defined as being a property ready for someone to move into. The furniture really needs to be of good quality along with kitchen equipment, white goods, crockery, bedding etc etc - We're more than happy to advise you on what should be left and what should be removed.

Preparing Your Property

Tenants are usually prepared to pay more to get more while a property in first-class order can usually be let more easily. Be aware of the level of furnishings that are left in a property and that they comply with all safety precautions and current legislation. Old or tired looking fixtures and fittings can lower tenants interest. Tenants want and expect quality furnishings and fixtures in a property and properties with these elements attract market leading rents.

Ideally, your property should offer modern and clean kitchens, bathrooms and decoration however it is also important to ensure your property benefits from other features such as quality internet connection and manuals and booklets for appliances being left.

Upgrading/Maintaining your property

Ferndown offers a comprehensive maintenance service from professionally qualified service engineers and craftsman. From a replacement washer to a full property upgrade, including decorating, replacement kitchens, windows, guttering and central heating systems, we can offer a bespoke service for any type of property and budget.

Consents

If you have a freehold property with no mortgage on it, there should be no barriers to letting it out to tenants.

If you have a leasehold property however, you must check your lease in connection with sub-letting and obtain the necessary consent if required. If you have a mortgage on your property, consent may also be needed from your lender.

Insurance

You'll need to make sure both the property and its contents are fully insured. You must inform your insurance company that the property is to be let, check that the conditions of the policy are complied with and that there are no restrictions on letting. We would advise that all policies taken in relation to your buildings insurance include a good level of liability cover.

Inventories

It is the landlord’s responsibility to prepare a thorough inventory if Ferndown are only introducing a Tenant. If the property is to be managed by Ferndown then we will prepare an independent inventory and condition report as part of our service.