Landlords Information

First steps

You will want to know the rental value of your property. We can give you an estimate over the phone and a more accurate valuation following a visit to your property. Another good indication of the rental value is by checking similar property to your own on the rental pages of our website.

So how much is this going to cost me?

Well it may cost you nothing at all. A letting agent will know the market well and may be able to achieve a higher rent than you could do yourself direct with a tenant.

At Brinkley's the initial rental valuation of your property is free. You only pay commission when we successfully let your property and you’ll always have access to a specialist team dedicated to letting.

Another agent may inflate the value of your property with a higher rental income. If you accept this, you could be out of pocket and lose weeks of rental income while your property remains un-let.

A full list of our fees is given on this website

Furnished or unfurnished?

You may let your property furnished or unfurnished. Once we have seen your property we can advise you what would be best to do. The standard for furnished is:

White goods: cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine/tumble dryer.

Bed(s), chairs and sofa that comply with safety regulations.

A kitchen or dining room table and chairs.

You could leave a TV and hi-fi equipment, but it will be your responsibility to repair and replace these in the event of breakdown.

Do not leave personal effects such as vases, ornaments and pictures that could get easily damaged.

Conducting a property viewing

Make sure all keys are available to open windows, fire escapes or a garage if you have one.

If you wish to be present at the viewing, give time for the applicants to discuss the property alone before they leave. Resist the temptation to ask viewers if they like your property. They may spontaneously tell you. Either way, it makes negotiating easier if we handle feedback until matters progress to an offer.

How long does it take to find a suitable tenant?

According to market demand and the desirability of your property, anything from between a few hours to several weeks. At Brinkley's we are able to maximise the speed of letting due to our computerised systems that match properties to potential tenants and inform them by email and text/SMS.

We also undertake all the usual marketing in newspapers and on the web. Our property boards are further coded with a unique property reference that enable the property to be instantly located on our website.

How do I go about vetting a potential tenant?

Brinkley's will do this for you, by undertaking credit and fraud checks together with obtaining references from an employer or previous Landlord.

Obligations during the let

Any repairs needed during the tenancy must be carried out promptly. You must also ensure your property complies with safety regulations. With Brinkley's as your letting agent, you can be assured that we can take care of these on your behalf and because we deal with many properties, we get better terms from suppliers. This means that if for example a washing machine breaks down or a shower fails, we can arrange a quick repair or replacement on your behalf.

We also visit the property from time-to-time to keep an eye on its condition and send you an annual statement of account for your tax records.

What’s an Assured Shorthold Tenancy?

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy offers the landlord a guaranteed right to repossess his property at the end of the term. It also sets down rental payment details and who will pay for council tax, water, etc.