Sep/090
Finding The Right Lettings Agency
The primary aspect for choosing a good letting agency is to know about the agents and that they are cooperative and courteous at all times when dealing with the client. A well repudiated agency updates all its accommodation details at least twice a week and advertises regularly. They communicate the progress with the clients between every 3 to 4 days and update them instantly if they find their desired accommodation. The letting agencies assure that all the documentation and property details are properly given to the forthcoming tenants without any distortion.
The agency should check the property condition prior to its tenancy security. The agents should check and verify that the Gas safety (Fixing and Use) standards comply with Regulations 2009 before they advertise in the paper. This can be done by confirming the yearly Gas Safety Check of the premises. The yearly Gas appliances check should be verified by the agency.
All the wiring and electrical components should be properly checked by the agency. They should be in a proper working condition and be safe to use during the time the tenants stay. With the help of an expert electrician, a complete survey should be done for all the electric installation at least after a period of five years.
Along with the above mentioned point, an agency must make sure that yearly checking of the electrical appliances at the accommodation is carried out, which is known as PAT (portable appliance testing); although it is not required at the Government level, it is compulsory to make certain that electrical appliances that are present are safe and secure.
Accommodation must comply with the furnishing and furniture (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. It is the duty of the agency to make sure that the housing fulfils all the regulations laid down by the Local Authority and is robust and protected, mainly with consideration to the incidence of fire and the ways of run away from the house.
Agency must keep an eye at the cleanliness of the accommodation and should be free from infestation at the start of the contract. It is the agency's duty to ensure that the accommodation is equipped with sufficient heating system, one refrigerator, a cooker and a vacuum cleaner.
It is the prime responsibility of the agency to ensure that the housing is managed as per the Government's Housing Act, (i.e. Tenancy Deposit Protection, HMO Licensing and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System). The agency should confirm that all the property owners, who are marketing their properties through them, hold the right to let them, i.e. they must verify that the person possesses or has been granted the access to let the property.
The accommodating tenant will be given a tenancy agreement or a license which will highlight the terms and conditions of the contract and will be given a time frame (one working day) to check it and decide before he/she signs it. The letting agent will give the exact timelines to the new coming renter to get his agreement checked before offering the housing to any other party. It is the job of the letting agent to ensure that all undertakings are dealt with prior to the commencing of the contract such as, renovation and installation of any appliances. If the agency abides and fulfils all of the above mentioned details it can be considered as a genuine and responsible company for tenancy.
James L Harrison is a real estate agent. You can rent luxury and comfortable leftbank apartments at a affordable price from estate agents manchester.