Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 222

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

 

Backing your rental offer up

How to get your rental offer accepted

This week, we are looking at with renters how to back up their offer and get it accepted by the end of home seeking process.  However, before finding out how to get their rental offer accepted, let us start by clarifying the meaning of offer and issues surrounding it.

What is an offer?

An offer is simply what you as a renter are prepared to pay for the property in order for you to rent it.

How do you make this offer?

You can make this offer verbally or in-person or by phone or by e-mail.

What do you need to be aware of before and after making an offer?

You need to know the following:

∝ There are other renters who are looking for a property to rent and some of them can make a higher offer (e.g. gazumping) compared to yours, even after you have already made an offer

∝ Offers can be subject to contract and or to survey

∝ Your need to define your budget ceiling before making any offer.

Etc.

Backing your rental offer up

We see so many home seekers viewing properties and showing interest or making an offer on a property.  For some of them, their offers end up accepted.   For others, their offers fail short to go through or simply do not reach the completion stage.

It is known that any rental offer on a property would compete with other existing and potential offers in any ends (high, medium and low) of the market.  Therefore, renters need to try to back up their offer with something tangible (like additional security) so that they can maximise their chance or succeed in their bit to rent their ideal property. 

In particular time like of festive season, this back up is even crucial in a property market where every home seeker, let alone those with ordinary or modest incomes, is hunting for the best possible festive deal to make their housing ends and needs meet before the end of the year if they are planning to move by this time.

Monitoring the progress of your rental offer

It is not enough to make an offer, although the practice is that once an offer made on a property is accepted, this property is labelled as under offer and eventually withdrawn from the market until final completion. 

Home seekers need to back up their offer to increase the chance for their rental applications to reach the final stage.  They need additional security for their rental offer to be converted into a buy.  They need to closely monitor their offer made and follow its progress and development. 

For some landlords/ladies, once an offer is made, the property is put under offer (or on hold) and they are not open to listen to other offers.  For other landlords/ladies, it is not the case.  They can still open their minds to other counter-offers until they get the best possible deal.  They may as well think that renters can still change their minds.

A learning week for renters

This week, renters can learn or relearn the way of backing up their rental offer so that their offer reaches the conversion stage.  They will also have the opportunity to understand the rental selection process and criteria in order for their rental applications to be considered instead of that of their competitors.

Extra help and support

Additionally, we shall share the available resources both in print and online on the topic of rental offer and the way of backing it up. 

Planning to make a festive rental offer

If you are planning to make a festive rental offer or has already made it and need to back it, this week’s session is the right one for you through Home Relief.  

 

Just contact us NOW to work with you and help you to secure the best possible accommodation deal!  We are ready to TAKE your FESTIVE PLANS or APPLICATIONS FURTHER.   

Just Work with Home Relief’s Festive Rentals and Gifts Negotiator.

Looking for an affordable location and home 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 221

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

We have Festive Offers for Renters and Home Seekers.

Rent Before the End of Year and Save Money!

 

Our festive property campaign continues this week with Festive Rentals.  If you are planning to pass your New Year’s Eve and New Year in a new home, Home Relief can help you to achieve your festive dream.

We could help you save money and put everything together in place in advance.

What does putting everything together include?

Putting everything together in place in advance for Renting-before-the-New-Year offer includes:

1) Discuss and conduct your home needs assessment

2) Work a rental plan and timetable with you

3) Market your application and research a property that suits your need and budget

4) Arrange COVID-19 Secure viewing appointments at mutually convenient times and days

5) Liaising with landlords/ladies and negotiate letting and renting terms with you

6) Sort out deposit, rent in advance and any other payments relating to rentals 

7) Initiate and organise referencing process on time

8) Follow the rentals progress and report to all parties involved

9) Once your offer has been accepted, finalise the rental agreement and pack

 

Saving money on your festive rental

Saving money means that the early home seekers contact us this month for rent, the better rental deal in terms both home quality and discount they can get.  In December of every year, prices tend to go up everywhere without exception of the properties to let. 

For those with ordinary incomes and means of living, it is advisable to get in touch soon to find out affordable accommodation before the end of year.

Getting the best festive deal also means we are offering fantastic savings for up to 20% off the market price on our letting and management services. 

Festive Savings are on the following:

a) Rent for properties of any sizes (ranging from single rooms to full houses)

b) Charges for any main services offered (such as lettings, financial or full management and maintenance)

c) Tenancy agreement, tenant administration, guarantor, check out at the end of the tenancy, tenancy agreement renewal, change of occupation, etc.

We can work with you to find your new home this Festive Season and help you start 2022 in relief and joy.

Have an application to make for a property to rent

JUST CONTACT US NOW FOR A FESTIVE PEACE OF MIND AND SECURITY OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION!  WE ARE READY TO TAKE YOUR FESTIVE APPLICATIONS FURTHER.   

Just Work with Home Relief’s Festive Rentals and Gifts Negotiator.

Looking for an affordable location and home 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

 

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 220

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

How to let your property, get it fully managed, financially managed, maintained and monitored before the end of 2021

 

Festive Time Starts with Home Relief!

Home Relief’s Festive Letting campaign kicks off today, with Happy Festive Season.  We have Special Festive Period offers which start from today the 22nd of November 2021.

A Happy Festive Season starts with a home that relieves you; your own home where you live as a landlord/lady, the ones your tenants live in and the other ones you want to let. 

Before thinking of any other presents or gifts, it is worth giving yourself a Festive Gift by letting your property if you are planning to let it.  Home Relief is ready to take your letting instructions and make your letting as the Season’s Gift.  

Home Relief can help you achieve your festive property letting and management plans and goals, and start the New Year on a positive note regarding the return on your property investment.

LET IT before the end of 2021

If you are a landlord/lady and having problems or just don’t have time to let your property during the festive period, Home Relief can help in marketing your instructions. You can appoint or instruct us to do it on your behalf.   

For example, Home Relief can find tenants for you, initiate tenant referencing process and vet tenants on your behalf.

GET IT FULLY MANAGED before the end of 2021 

If you think that you have other better things to do or priorities during the festive time and or in the near future than self-managing your property, don’t worry!  Home Relief can fully manage it for you. 

For example, Home Relief can arrange check-in and check-out inventories as well as the registration of utilities on your behalf.  Home Relief can also produce tenancy extensions or renewals or any updates on your behalf.

GET IT MAINTAINED before the end of 2021 

The last thing any landlord/lady would like to hear is while they are having their festive holidays with friends and / or relatives (having their preferred drink, meal and chat), tenants try to contact them (via phone or email or even text messages) to deal with some property maintenance issues. 

If for any reason you can’t maintain it by yourself, Home Relief can take care of your property while you are having your festive break. 

For example, Home relief can organise on your behalf the following services: gas safety certificates, electrical certificates, EPCs, smoke alarms or carbon monoxide checks and legionella assessments.

GET IT FINANCIALLY MANAGED before the end of 2021

If you are busier than chasing your tenants for rent or making some payments linked to your property account over the festive time, then Home Relief can collect your rent and administered it for you and other financial matters linked to your property investment.  Home Relief can as well organise any online payments or receipts on your behalf. 

For example, Home relief can chase late rent payments and charge tenants accordingly.

GET IT MONITORED before the end of 2021

If you are undertaking some building work to your property and want this to continue over the festive time while you will be away over this period, you can instruct Home Relief to monitor your contractors and supervise your building work until completion or you return. 

Home Relief can monitor your building work on your behalf and report back to you as the work progresses until full completion.

GET IT SORTED ONLINE before the end of 2021

If you think that you won’t be able to in-person meet your tenants for any aspects of your rented property and you want to go online or remote, but you don’t want to do it by yourself; you can still appoint Home Relief to sort it online for you.  

Home Relief can organise any aspects of your lettings on your behalf, whether it is online or offline service.

GET IT LOOKED AFTER before the end of 2021 if you worry about COVID-19

As you try to protect yourself against COVID-19, care as well about your property investment.  If you won’t be available or in a position to deal with your rented property as you may have some concerns about the COVID-19 situation by the end of 2021, Home Relief can take charge of your property so that you have more time and space to deal with those concerns.

APPOINT HOME RELIEF TO ACT AS YOUR FESTIVE CONTACT before the end of 2021

If you are contemplating to be abroad or away for a little while during the festive time and you don’t want to leave your tenants without any third party contact or with uninterested or even unqualified party, why not instruct Home Relief to act as your festive contact should there be any problem or an emergency.  Home Relief can act on your behalf while you are away.

Whether it is about Lettings Only, Financial or Full Management and Maintenance or Monitoring or just a Property Contact/Liaison or COVID-19 Concern; you can instruct Home Relief to act on your behalf. 

If you require a quotation or estimate, please do not hesitate to contact Home Relief. 

By taking the decision to appoint Home Relief in this way, this will enable you to have a relaxing, hassle-free, peaceful and less costly festive season with your property rental business and with your love ones. 

Want to instruct Home Relief

JUST INSTRUCT US NOW FOR A FESTIVE PEACE OF MIND AND SECURITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT!  WE ARE READY TO TAKE YOUR FESTIVE INSTRUCTIONS.   

Just Work with Home Relief’s Festive Lettings & Gifts Negotiator.

Looking for an affordable location and home 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 219

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

Rent Increase versus Rent Decrease

Our work about the relationships between landlords/ladies and tenants continue this week with rent change.  Rent change does not need to go always in the direction of increase.  It can be decreased depending on the circumstances. 

For example, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, some landlords/ladies reduced their rent to reflect the financial hardships their tenants were experiencing.

Having said that we will be dealing with an area of the relationships between the desire of a landlord/lady to increase the rent and tenants’ dispute about the justification of a rent increase; tenants instead asking for rent reduction. 

Disagreement over rent change

Rent increase  is an issue which can result in tenancy crisis between the two contractual parties whereby landlords/ladies want to increase the rent of their rented property while the tenants living in that property argue that there is no justification for rent increase since the conditions of the property have not changed or been improved.  Tenants can even seize this opportunity to request rent reduction.

Case studies

Home Relief came across a case of landlord who complained and told us this:

“It is now three years since these tenants moved in my property and they are still paying the same level of rent.  Yet, the market rent has gone up for similar properties in the local area according to a recent rent valuation.  I am still receiving the same amount of rent since they moved in”.

We mediated in discussing the matter with the tenants informing them the landlord’s intention to increase rent.  They argued this:

“We do not see why he wants to increase the rent.  Since, we moved in his property, it is still in the same conditions.  He has never improved the conditions of his property and whenever we have maintenance issues, he barely responds.  All he does collecting his rent and now he wants more money”.

As the above example shows, one side wants to increase the rent while the other side does not want to pay for the increase without any sound justification.

Legal channel for rent increase

Depending on the type of tenancy, if the landlord/lady wants to increase the rent there are rules.  The tenant can disagree with the landlord’s/lady’s decision to increase the rent.  Where there is disagreement, there is also an opening for negotiation to reach an agreement.  If the two parties fail to reach an agreement on this matter, then they can explore other means to resolve their disputes.

Working with landlords/ladies over rent change

This week, we are working with both parties on the rent change.  With regard to landlords/ladies, we will be working with them on the following matters:

√ The rules for rent increase/decrease

√ Rent increase/decrease policy

√ Landlords/ladies’ contractual obligations which will include maintenance of their property

√ Rent review policy and practices

√ How to fix the rent in a changing rental market or how to reflect the change of rental market conditions into the rent determination   

Etc.

Working with tenants/renters over rent change

With the tenants, we will work on the following:

√ What to do about rent increase/decrease

√ Tenants’ contractual obligations as provided by the tenancy agreement

√ How to reach an agreement with a landlord/lady on the rent increase/decrease issue

Etc.

Rent change surgery

In this matter of rent increase, there is no one size fits all.  We will be dealing with individual cases.  We will discuss each case of rent change individually.  Every case will be treated on their own merits.   

Extra help and support 

We shall work with both landlords/ladies on available support on rent change issue, which could include: support such as Citizen Advice Bureau, where to get help to pay rent for tenants, appeal to a tribunal for a rent complaints, housing help from the local council, etc.

We shall as well share resources (both in print and online) concerning rent change.

Have some problems about rent change 

If you are a landlord/lady and have some problems in changing the rent of your rented property, please work with Home Relief to sort out the matter. 

If you are a tenant and disagrees with the rent increase asked by your landlord/lady and do not know what to do, please work with Home Relief.

Looking for an affordable location and home 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

 

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 218

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

The importance of explaining to tenants the functioning of appliances and fittings in a rented property

This week, we are working with landlords/ladies on the importance of explaining to the incoming or already living-in tenants the functioning of white goods and fittings in a rented property, especially when these types of items required specific instructions to follow to handle them.

What the law says about white goods

The law states that landlords/ladies are responsible for the state of any machines and white goods they provide in the rental property. 

What are white goods?

White goods are typically white coloured and free-standing large electrical goods used domestically.  They are appliances such as washing machines, fridge-freezers, tumble dryers and dishwashers. 

What are fixtures and fittings?

Fixtures are permanent items affixed or attached or fixed.  Examples of fixtures include: cupboards, door handles, electrical sockets, light switches, satellite dishes, television aerials, security alarms, door bells, boilers, toilets, showers, fireplaces, etc.

Fittings are any things not attached.  Examples of fittings are: carpets, curtains, poles, blinds, tables, chairs, mirrors, etc.

Landlords/ladies’ obligations concerning installations 

There are some legal obligations for landlords/ladies fixtures and installations.  For example, the landlords/ladies are responsible for servicing the boiler.  The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985 requires that landlords/ladies keep in good repair and working order installations that supply water, gas and electricity as well as sanitation systems.

Maintenance case

This week’s topic gives us the opportunity to remember a case we came across.  It was a case related to a landlord who installed a new boiler in his rented property through the work of a boiler engineer.  The engineer who installed the boiler explained that before turning on the heat key, the boiler must be first fed with water.   The landlord forgot to pass this information to the tenants.  One evening, the tenants ran the boiler without activating the water feeding system.  As a result, the boiler broke down.

What this week’s process will include

This week, we are going to look at the following elements:

√ The transfer of information about white goods and fittings from landlords/ladies to tenants (how to conduct this transfer, what information to pass on and what not pass on)

√ Working manuals (including digital operating instructions and online videos) of white goods and fittings in a rented accommodation

√ Instruction books (including online videos) related to peripherals such as thermostats, remote controls for homes with digital or e-technologies

√ Areas of insurance policies and cover plans about these items where there is a need to pass some information to the tenants for mutual benefit (to avoid risk of missing the deadline for renewal of cover plans although service providers always send a reminder)

√ Stickers or labels (including important contact numbers, makes, serial numbers, etc.) on these machines (where to find them) where tenants can find relevant information if there is a need to do so

Etc.

How to pass on maintenance information to tenants

During the check-in, inventory and hand-over key processes; the landlords/ladies can pass on maintenance information.  Alternatively, the landlords/ladies or their letting/managing agents can make an appointment to in-person meet the tenants at the property while respecting the COVID-19 protection rules. 

In today’s world, almost every body has a smart phone or just a mobile phone.  If your tenants have a smart phone, it is even easy to pass on this information to them.  You can even pass on to them (via mobile phone or e-mail) a link to watch the videos about these white goods and fittings for the purpose of better informed maintenance.

Where landlords/ladies involve a managing agent, this area of property maintenance responsibility becomes obvious and falls within the hands of this agent, unless landlords/ladies decide to fully or partly take this responsibility.

Why it is important to correctly pass maintenance information to tenants

This area of property maintenance is important to avoid conflicting tenancies.  It is vital to avoid the breakdown of very expensive items (such as boiler) in privately rented property.  They can break if landlords/ladies do not correctly pass the information to handle them or if tenants are careless.

However, as landlords/ladies you should always make sure you correctly pass the information on these items to your tenants and make sure the tenants use them correctly as well. 

Extra learning and support for landlords/ladies

Want to learn or find out more about the process of correctly pass on maintenance information to the tenants, please work with Home Relief.

 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

 

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 217

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

What to do when tenants’ income circumstances change

Let’s start this week’s post and topic with the following complaint from a landlady.

Landlady: The tenants I have got, when they came in my property they were working.  Now, I have discovered that they are claiming benefit. What should I do?

The above is the case Home Relief came across from a landlady who asked us for advice and guidance. 

This week we are discussing with landlords/ladies how the changes of their tenants’ circumstances may or may not affect their relationships and various aspects of tenancy matter; in particular when a tenant starts to claim housing benefits.  Yet, they initially rented the property as working or professional tenants.  There are things that can affect tenants’ circumstances and which can become handicap for them to honour their rent or contractual terms.

Things that may affect tenants’ income circumstances

Change of tenants’ circumstances can include the following:

∧ Changes to contact details

∧ Changes to household composition

∧ Changes of tenants’ name

∧ Details about the next of kin

∧ Change or loss of job 

∧ Maternity/pregnancy

∧ Immigration status

∧ Illnesses

Etc.

Some changes do affect tenants’ ability and way of  paying rent.  Other changes do not.  Most experienced landlords/ladies would know how to deal with this situation.   If not, it is better to seek advice or support or even do your own search since there is a lot of sources of information one can tap into. 

Planning for the unpredictable and unforeseeable

At the start of any tenancy, it is better to plan for the unpredictable and unforeseeable.  If the plan works, that is fine.  If it does not work, then there is always legal advice and guidance that one may seek. 

To prevent the change of tenants’ circumstances affects the tenancy, most landlords/ladies or their letting agents would have carried out all the required letting checks and verification before the tenancy starts.  They would have collected tenants’ references related to the proof of income; check their credit history or score; get the required deposit; get the necessary cover (a guarantor) if the tenants fail to pay; make them to sign an undertaking if they fail in their contractual obligations, etc.

Whatever precautions they may take, letting a property is always a risky business like any other types of business.  It does not matter the safety measures one can take as we are dealing with human beings.  If things change like in the above case, what to do?

How to manage tenants’ change of circumstances

There are few things one can do in order to deal with the change of tenants’ income circumstances.  To manage this change, landlords/ladies can undertake initiatives such as these below:

√ Review the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement

√ Check the tenants’ entitlement to housing benefits is real

√ Review their occupational reference

√ Update their credit history

√ Re-examine their entire file (particularly the financial information you hold about them)

√ Reassess the referencing criteria which says that household income should be 2.5 times the annual rent, etc.

Perhaps, the best thing to do is to have a meeting with the tenants and discuss the matter in depth to find out how they are going to pay for the rent agreed for the all length or the rest of the tenancy.  If this does not work, you can always seek mediation or legal advice if the rent payment becomes a controversial issue.

There are more steps that can be taken to resolve any pending issues stemming from the change of tenants’ income circumstances.  This week we are working on the range of possible solutions or options to the problem, especially for those landlords/ladies who did not buy a rent guaranteed scheme or rent insurance policy on the market.

Need to find out what to if your tenants’ income circumstances change, work with Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 216

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

 

How both landlords/ladies and tenants can improve their tenancy relationships

As part of our Autumn Letting and Rental Campaign, we are offering this week support to landlords/ladies and tenants in their tenancy relationships. 

Landlord/Lady –Tenant Relationship Support: Who is for?

This support aims at the two contractual parties (landlords/ladies and tenants) who have problems, those who feel they may likely experience disagreement sooner or later, and those who want to learn to avoid or solve problems between them, especially at this time of the coronavirus spikes.

What we will provide this week

To stay on track of hassle-free letting and rental as well as to consolidate our support to landlords/ladies and tenants, we are providing a week of Healthy, Worthy and Wealthy Relationship Support starting from 25 October and ending 31 October 2021.

A healthy tenancy relationship means that landlords/ladies and tenants are connected through tenancy based on mutual respect, trust and honesty.  It also signifies that both parties equally comply with health and safety regulations in their relationship, including aspects of health and safety relating to the protection against the coronavirus pandemic.

A wealthy tenancy relationship means that the contractual rent is paid in the manner, at the amount and at the time as specified by the terms and conditions of agreement so that the landlord/lady does not lose on their wealth.  Because the rent is paid as agreed, the landlord/lady keeps their part of the bargain; that is to manage and maintain their property accordingly so that tenants do not lose their income in paying for a property which does not provide value for their money. 

A worthy tenancy relationship means that the process of dealing with tenancy matters between the two contractual parties in context of tenancy agreement suits both of them, and has merit or value as well. 

So, a trouble-free letting and rental relationship is expressed by good relationships between the two contractual parties (Landlord/lady and Tenant).  This week’s support aims at alleviating some of the problems which may occur and or are occurring with existing tenancies as well as finding way forward or solutions. 

For instance, at this time of the coronavirus spikes; the health, wealth and worth of the relationship between landlord/lady and tenant could be under stressed or disturbed.

Free Bespoke Rescue or Relief Packages this week!

In addition to the above support service, Landlords/ladies can access our Bespoke Rescue Package for FREE and/ or at minimal third party costs, just as Tenants can have our Bespoke Relief Package arranged for them for FREE and/or at very competitive third party costs. 

To get the makes of your Bespoke Rescue or Relief Packages, please contact Home Relief this week!  

What’s more for this week!

To build on this Autumn season’s fresh offer to build forward healthier, wealthier and worthier relationships; we are as well  given away a 5 minutes EXTRA FREE of advice to let for Landlords/ladies and Help to Rent for Tenants; making altogether with our usual 15 minutes FREE 20 minutes of FREE advice and or help.

To get 20 minutes of FREE advice and or help, please work with Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, please go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 215

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

Bespoke Property Rescue Mission Service with Abandoned Properties

This week’s topic for work with landlords/ladies and home owners is abandoned properties.

My tenant abandoned my property, what should I do?

Abandonment happens when a tenant moves out of a property before the tenancy has expired, without informing their landlord/lady.  There are many causes of abandonment which could include the following:

• Outstanding rent 

• Unpaid bills

• Loss of job

• COVID-19 rent arrears

• Change of legal status

• Change of tenant’s personal circumstances

• Economic hardships caused by the coronavirus and so on.

Whatever the reason or cause (justified or unjustified), there could be a cost to beard, especially for the landlord/lady.

What could be the costs?

There could be loss of rent for landlord/lady, legal costs, maintenance costs, the costs of pressure, etc.  The situation can even be worse when tenants leave behind their belongings and or pass the keys to someone else or simply squatters get in.  What to do?

What is the legal position on the abandonment matter?

The legal position on this matter is that the tenant still has a legal right to return and take up residence at any time and it is a criminal offence for landlords/ladies to do anything to prevent the continuation of the tenancy.  It is as well a criminal offence to end a tenancy without going through the proper legal motions.

What are the options available?

The only option for a landlord/lady is to go through the legal process for regaining possession of an abandoned property which can take months.

This is why Home Relief provides Bespoke Property Rescue Mission as a rescue service for any property which is subject to disputes between the two parties, particularly where the landlord/lady lost control and would like to regain control.  

No tenancy can be perfect.   No matter the kinds of precautions you may take before it begins.  For as long as you are dealing with human beings, there is always a possibility of human error and something can happen in the future.  Abandonment is one of the problems which can happen.  Home Relief’s Bespoke Rescue Mission Service covers this problem.  If abandonment happens, then it needs to be dealt with. 

Abandonment case studies

• First case: A Single Renter

Few years ago, we come across a case whereby a landlady came to see us in tears.  She informed us that her tenant left her flat in pieces in Streatham without notice. 

This landlady let her flat by herself.  Before letting the property to the tenant, she collected one months’ deposit and one months’ rent in advance.  The tenant provided some forms of references (.i.e. employment, previous landlord, bank statements, etc.).

After one week of letting, the landlady went to flat to check if everything was alright and if the new tenant needed anything.  She found the door was damaged and open.  She entered the flat she discovered everything was in pieces and the tenant disappeared.  It was like a movie story not a reality.  She screamed and came out.  She started to look for a letting agent and came to us to explain what happened.

Without getting into details about this terrible case, this just highlights the need to carry out a proper vetting system before renting your property to anybody.  Perhaps, by involving those who take letting as their professional occupation could help.     

• Second case: A Group of Single Renters

Three professionals rented a 3 bedroomed flat in Streatham some years ago.  They signed a one year assured short hold tenancy agreement.  They agreed as well to an additional document that stated they were jointly and severally liable to the rent, which was paid on a calendar monthly basis. 

After six months of occupation, the landlord realised that one third of rent was not paid.  When he called to the property to check with them, two tenants told the landlord the other one has left without informing them and they thought he informed the landlord.  The landlord told them he was not aware of his vacation from the premises.  He also reminded them their obligation towards the rent was joint and several.  They then claimed that they were not related to the tenant who left without notice and did not have any obligations whatsoever to pay rent on his behalf.

This second case reminds us that what seems to be a straightforward situation could be indeed a very complex one as we are dealing with human beings.

Help and Support about Abandoned Properties

Anyone who has a property which has been abandoned and is wondering what to do, they can work with Home Relief to sort out the matter.  Through Home Relief’s Bespoke Property Rescue Mission Service, you can as well receive help and support in terms of online and in-print resources as well as leads to professionals dealing with abandoned properties.

Need to rent or buy affordable home, work with Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

 

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 214

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

Autumn Campaign with Promoted Lets

How to grow your property investment portfolio

 

This Autumn, we are offering Promoted Lets to the market for landlords/ladies who will decide to instruct us for letting and managing their properties. 

Whether you find tenants by yourselves or through us, if you decide to involve us you can have your let promoted by Home Relief.

What is a promoted let?

Promoted Lets scheme by Home Relief is an account managed service offered to landlords/ladies to boost the letting of their property (ies) through a multi-channel presentation.  It has some advantages which include the three main following ones:

(1) Helping to raise the profile of your residential property letting and management business

(2) Encouraging prospective renters and home-renting seekers to place an offer on your property

(3) Boosting the earning potentials of your property portfolio

To take into account the current health context of the coronavirus pandemic, we have included in the scheme/service coronavirus measures and restrictions while retaining its basic management principles.   

Who is eligible for a promoted let?

Any landlord/lady and home owner can be eligible for promoted lets, including beginner and seasoned prof landlords/ladies.

Even if you are only a part time landlord/lady or only have one or two properties to let, Promoted Lets can help to expand your property investment potentials if you decide to become a full time landlord/lady or a regular property-to-let investor. 

If you decide to become a regular property-to-let investor, Home Relief can create an account managed service for you to help you achieve your property and investment goals and returns.

What’s more!

A Promoted Let can offer you leads or help you to tap into various segments of the letting and management property market.  

It provides you with qualitative and quantitative data about the local area in which your property to let or manage is located while reporting the state of rent and letting in the area.   

Through this scheme, there will be effective use of data in order to improve landlord’s/lady’s outcomes for letting and management purpose.

Finally, Promoted Lets is a Home Relief product designed to optimise your earning capacity so that you can steadily and surely grow your property investment portfolio over the long term.

Briefly, with Promoted Lets, you get the following benefits: 

your  Let Property Online Advertised

plus a Letting Story

plus local Data

plus rent Report

plus Savings on Future Lettings and Management Costs

plus Assistance to Build Property Portfolio 

equal Tenants and Return on your Investment Guaranteed

To the above benefits, one can add on advice against the coronavirus, so making the gains from Promoted Lets become like this:

Tenants and Return on your Investment Guaranteed

plus Advice to protect your property and its occupiers against the coronavirus

equal Tenants and Sustainable Return on your Investment Protected

To instruct Home Relief and or find more about Promoted Lets Scheme, please contact Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Post No. 213

by Your Freelance e-Property Letting Agency

How to adapt to a new living environment

Adapting to a new living environment (like a new home, new area and new academic year) can be easier for some new home renters.  For others, it may not be easier or it may even be frustrating or simply take longer than one would have thought.  

This week, we are working together with new renters to support them in managing the settling-in process as a new home renter in a new area in a new academic year.

We will be particularly looking at the all set-up that those who are newly moving in a new home as renters can match in order to make the process easier while they will be living there and managing their tenancy as agreed with their landlords/ladies and or managing agents.  

This is about looking at property management and maintenance from the tenants’ point of view rather than from the landlords’/ladies’ perspective. 

∧ Property management and maintenance from tenants’ perspective

To successfully manage and maintain your new home as a new renter, it is advisable to follow the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement and any additional agreements you have made with your managing agents and or landlords/ladies. 

There are as well areas of law that new renters need be aware as the tenancy law sometimes does change.  For example, there are new legislations regarding eviction notices consisting of new versions of Section 8 (prescribed via Form 3) and Section 21 (materialised through Form 6a) Notices are now in force since the 1st of October 2021.    

If the change occurs and is going to affect their rental situation, then they need to know it.  For instance, with the enduring coronavirus, there could be areas of health and safety that renters need to know about for their own health and safety and in the interest of public health as well.  It is as well wise to follow what the law says about COVID-19 vaccines and testing programme.

Alternatively, their managing agents and or landlords/ladies would inform them of any changes in the interest of the two contractual parties and their witnesses.  To be on a safe side, it is better to ask them if there is any change that you need to be aware of.

∧ Benefits in better managing a property as a tenant

There are benefits in better managing and maintaining a property as a tenant.  Just to mention the few of them, it is useful to argue that better management and maintenance by the tenants can help…

√ To stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect tenants’ health

√ To protect tenants’ deposit and any other money paid as security

√ To stop tenants from any breach of the tenancy agreement

√ To secure their reference for future tenancies

√ To prevent conflicting situations with their managing agents and landlords/ladies

√ To safeguard their credit records history and score

√ To protect the indoor and outdoor environments, etc. 

This is so vital in the world where there is online database of bad tenants in the market.

∧ Knowing your new home and new area

This week’s process of working together with new renters in this new academic year goes further as we are going as well to touch upon the things to be aware around your new home and new area. 

Moving in a new area means that your need to know your neighbourhood and the basics about the local area.  Already when putting an offer on your property or before you move in, the letting negotiators/agents or new landlord/lady would have provided you with a profile of vital statistics and key information about the area.  If not, you would have yourself done some searches online and in print or store resources about the area. 

It is vital to learn to know the area where you will be living, shopping on daily basis, commuting, using open spaces and amenities, perhaps doing your education and working there.

Again, this knowledge of your local area can help to protect you, save money, keep you safe and secure, make you be part of the locals and keep you informed and make informed decisions. 

At this time of enduring coronavirus pandemic, it is vital to know the evolution of the epidemiological curves (“epi-curves”) of COVID-19 infection in your local area and any additional measures or restrictions locally taken to protect yourself and others.  And if you have a smart phone and able to download COVID-19 tracing app, it is wise to do it to stay informed and updated about the continuing spread of the virus.

∧ Settling in a new academic year

If you are a student or academic staff, it is also worthwhile to do some searches about what it looks like privately renting a property in a new academic year.  The home where you will be living for the entire life of your academic year can impact your goals and outcomes if you are not properly settled in.  A good settlement can positively impact your performance and state of mind and body to successfully study and or work.

Generally, many educational establishments provide information about student and staff accommodation and advisory service related to this area of educational provisioning.  In our process this week, we are only dealing with the case of those who would like to privately rent and want to understand the ins and outs so that they can make informed decisions.

Need to know more about settling-in process as a new renter in a new area in this new academic year, work with Home Relief.

Need to rent a home and or help to rent, work with Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes