A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Parsons Son & Basley are responsible for the letting and management of thousands of properties throughout the UK and we are well established as one of the premier agents in the South East of England. We have been providing professional property solutions to clients since 1825.

We aim to meet and exceed each individual landlord’s expectations by combining a personal and professional service with up to the minute technology, thereby providing a truly bespoke service, tailored to mirror a clients own personal requirements.

We will provide landlords with peace of mind that they have an agent working with them that understands their needs.

We have the added security that Parsons Son & Basley is a full member of both ARLA (the Association of Residential Letting Agents) and RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). Membership of these professional bodies gives both Landlords and Tenants the assurance that they are working with a letting agent that adheres to a high set of standards and hold qualifications that confirm their ability to perform competently. Another benefit of this membership is in respect of Buy to Let purchasers where most mortgage lenders require membership of ARLA when seeking rental assessments.

Please consider the following before making the decision to use us to let your property:
(please click to find out more)

MARKETING & PROMOTION

SERVICES OFFERED

COMPLIANCE (statutory obligations)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (for you to able to let your property)



MARKETING & PROMOTION

The key to achieving the best possible rental is to make the widest possible audience aware of the property through a professional marketing campaign and I set out details below:

Internet

The internet now forms a major part of our business and we will advertise your property on Parsons Son & Basley website www.psandb.co.uk which is currently receiving a high number of visits per month. Your property will have full details and photographs for potential tenants to view. Your property will also be on www.rightmove.co.uk which is the current market leader in online property search engines. At the time of writing our office has the highest CTR (click through rate) out of the 44 agents advertising on Rightmove in Brighton.

Property Lists

We produce a constant up to date supply of these in our Brighton office providing all walk in enquiries with details and photos of your property.

Window Display

Our Brighton office is situated on the main route between Brighton Station and the City Centre we receive a high level of 'walk in' enquiries. Our constantly changing window display is a major source of initial enquiries.

Advertising

We advertise on a weekly basis in the Latest Homes magazine. We have established through monitoring that this publication generates more quality enquiries than other local publications, which is paramount for property similar to yours. In addition we will submit your property for editorial within this medium which hopefully will result in editorial comment being valuable “free” advertising.

To Let Board
We will arrange for a To Let Board to be erected (if allowed). Boards are an extremely useful marketing tool, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Viewings
We will accompany all viewings during the week from Monday to Saturday by prior appointment.

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SERVICES OFFERED

Introduction Only Service

Where PS&B are instructed on an introduction only basis they will carry out the following:

• Attend and inspect the property.
• Advise on rents, market conditions, furnishings and any pertinent matters.
• Advertise the property as necessary.
• Arrange appointments for prospective tenants to view the property and accompany all viewings.
• Secure prospective tenants and take up references.
• Introduce prospective tenants to the Landlord if required.
• Arrange for a detailed inventory and schedule of property condition.
• Prepare and complete the tenancy agreement.
• Once the tenants have taken possession send to the Landlord the first month’s rental (less any deductions), signed tenancy agreement and inventory.
• Prepare and provide tenants with contact information for the Landlord and bank details (for standing order rental payments)
• Notify all services (gas, electricity, water, council) of the Landlords forwarding address for final accounts to be sent and of the incoming tenant(s) details for the services to deal direct with them.
• Register the Tenants deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
• As an additional service PS&B are able to provide, upon request, a final inventory check out charged in accordance with PS&B letting and management fees.

Rent collection Service (Brighton only)

PS&B will perform all those items as listed in the "INTRODUCTION ONLY SERVICE" as above and in addition:

• Demand rent and pursue any non payment (including guarantors). Rental must be paid in advance and this will be made a requirement of the tenancy agreement. As the Landlord you should allow an administration/clearing period from the rent due date for net rental payments to be received. Although PS&B are not liable for any default by the tenant on the rental payments, should the situation arise PS&B have the experience to act quickly and effectively.
• Account periodically to the landlord for rents collected, less expenditure including commission at the agreed rate.

Full Management Service


All of those items as listed on the ‘INTRODUCTION ONLY SERVICE’ and ‘RENT COLLECTION’ service as above. Where PS&B are additionally appointed to act in a Full Management capacity then for the purpose of enabling PS&B to carry out this service (and without prejudice to the generality of the appointment) the Landlord. It expressly authorises but does not oblige PS&B to:-

• Carry out repairs to the property including replacement, maintenance, servicing or repair of any furniture, furnishings, appliances, equipment or machinery.
• Hold a float during the Tenancy to enable us to perform maintenance and emergency work on the property.
• Visit the property at reasonable intervals and forward a written report to the Landlord when appropriate.

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COMPLIANCE (statutory obligations)

Energy Performance Certificate

All properties available for rental as of the 1st October 2008 will require an EPC. Prospective tenants must be supplied with an EPC along with a Recommendation Report in order that they can assess if they wish to proceed with the tenancy.

The report gives Landlords and Tenants information on the energy efficiency of a property. The report will list improvements that could be carried out and how they would change the energy and carbon emission rating. This information can then be used to cut fuel bills, improve energy performance and help cut carbon emissions.

Once carried out an EPC is valid for 10 years and a new certificate is not required for each change of tenant. If an EPC has not been provided to the tenant prior to signing a Tenancy Agreement then they can contact Trading Standards who are the enforcing body.

We are able to prepare this report as we have qualified Domestic Energy Assessors employed by the firm. Click here for more information.

Gas Safety Report

More often than not this is a simple inspection carried out by a Gas Safe registered inspector. Upon satisfaction, a record is issued for 12 months. A gas safety record typically costs in the region of £ 50.00 + VAT, but may cost more if work is required for your property to comply. The gas regulations state:
• Landlords must maintain gas appliances annually
• Gas appliances must have detectors, which cut off the gas supply before dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide build up
• Gas appliances such as open flue boilers are banned from bedrooms due to incidents when lives have been lost because of faulty appliances
• A Gas Safe registered installer must carry out maintenance of appliances
• If an appliance is faulty, both Landlord and Tenant must be notified, only Gas Safe registered installers will be allowed to carry out reconnection, repairs or fit new appliances
• If a faulty appliance is not disconnected, an installer who will use their Statutory Rights to disconnect the appliance should inform British Gas
• The tenants have the right to complain to the Health & Safety Executive if they believe an appliance to be substandard
• The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations are in addition to the Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989

Electrical tests

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. All the electrical supply and electrical equipment supplied in a property must be safe, not cause danger and comply with standards and the requirements of the Regulations. There is no mandatory requirement to undergo testing but the obligation to ensure it is safe remains.

Fire & Furnishings Regulations

The above regulations place a responsibility on the landlord of a furnished or part furnished property to ensure the furniture, which is supplied in the property, complies with current legislation.
The following notes have been prepared as a guide to enable you to comply with the law.
In general:
• Upholstered furniture must have a fire resistant filing material.
• Cover fabrics must have passed a match resistant test (covers in certain fabric such as cotton or silk maybe used in a non match resistant form, provided the furniture has a fire resistant material.)
• The combination of the cover and filing material must have passed a cigarette resistance test.
Furniture included in the above:
• Bed Bases
• Headboards
• Mattresses
• Sofa/Sofa Beds
• Armchairs
• Futons
• Convertible Beds • Nursery Furniture
• Garden Furniture
• Scatter Cushions
• Seat Pads
• Pillows
• Loose & Stretch Covers
for furniture
Items not included:
• Sleeping Bags
• Bed Clothes (Including Duvets)
• Loose Covers for Mattresses
• Pillow Cases • Curtains
• Carpets
• Any items manufactured
before 1950.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (for you to able to let your property)

Rent/Legal insurance

There are a number of insurance policies available to landlords including legal expense and rent guarantee. PS&B can provide details of several policies if required.

Buildings/contents insurance

Landlords are required to have building and contents insurance in place for a Tenancy. Insurers will need to be notified that the occupants will be Tenants.

Mortgage Consent

Landlords are required to inform their lender if the status of the property occupant is to change.

Taxation

Rental income is unearned and therefore subject to taxation however, mortgage interest, depreciation and maintenance are all valid expenditures which lower your tax burden. We recommend you discuss your taxation position with a qualified accountant and are happy to make recommendations when required.

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