Here at Strats, we pride ourselves on providing a high standard of properties that give value for money for students and a consistent and reliable investment yield for landlords. We therefore require all of our rentable properties to conform to minimum standards. Quality properties attract quality tenants, who are more likely to respect landlords properties and in turn reduce rental void periods and the risk of fines or worse.
We have created this guide to help you get the most out of your rental property.
Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord’s expense unless misuse can be established.
Gas and electrical safety certification must be obtained and kept up-to-date
An Energy Performance Certificate of no less than an E rating must be obtained.
Appliances such as washing machines, fridge freezers, cookers, dishwashers should be in a safe and usable condition and carries a CE safety mark.. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord’s expense unless misuse can be established.
PAT testing on all electrical appliances supplied with an HMO property must be carried out annually.
Interior decorations should be in good condition and we recommend neutral colour schemes.
We recommended that properties have minimum furnishings which should be of a reasonable quality and meet current fire safety standards. These items should be present at tenant viewings. When letting unfurnished properties we recommend that the property contains carpet, curtains and a cooker.
Personal possessions such as ornaments, pictures, books, etc., should be removed from the property. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the owner’s risk. All cupboards and shelf space should be clear for the tenant’s own use.
Student tenants are not required to maintain their gardens. Residential tenants however are required to maintain their gardens to a reasonable standard, provided they are left the necessary tools.
At the commencement of a tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenant’s responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition. Where they fail to do so we can arrange cleaning at their expense.
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Application forms are available at their counters or online and the cost is minimal. It is not the tenants’ responsibility to forward mail.
It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant on operating the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm system and the day on which refuse is collected etc..
You should provide one set of keys for each tenant and if we are managing the property, a set of keys for ourselves
Health and Safety
Thumb turn locks on entrance and exit doors
Interlinked hardwired smoke alarms
Heat sensor in kitchen
Fire extinguisher
Fire blanket
Bedroom Furnishings
Clean bed and mattress
Study desk and chair
Wardrobe and chest of drawers
Curtains or blinds
Communal areas
Adequate seating arrangements appropriate to number of tenants
Kitchens
Oven with Hob
Fridge and freezer, adequate for number of tenants
Washing Machine
Ample food storage cupboards
Sink and work surfaces
Bathroom
Fully equipped with bath/shower curtain or screen
WC
Sink
All accommodation should have natural light and ventilation, central heating and preferably double glazing. Be of a good decorative order and with working appliances. Gardens must be neat and tidy and cleared of any rubbish, including drains and guttering. Landlords will need to produce current gas safety certificate, electrical safety certificate in addition to an energy performance certificate relating to each property prior to commencement of tenancy
Or why not let us get your property ready to rent?
With our own in-house maintenance department and a team of approved tradesmen and women, we can transform your investment property into the perfect rental property in no time at all and at super cost-effective rates.
Ask us for a quote today!
Find out how much your property is worth
info@strats-estates.co.uk
