Reallettings

FAQs

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How are Real Lettings different to my usual High Street Agent?
Real Lettings is a specialist letting agency set up by the homelessness charity Broadway. We help those who are finding it difficult to access long term accommodation. We do this by leasing properties from private sector landlords and then letting them on to our tenants. At the same time we provide you, the landlord, with a hassle free and financially viable way to let your property. We are a social enterprise, meaning that all our profits go back to Broadway, which helps us to continually improve and broaden our services.
What types of properties do you need?
We mainly require large studio apartments and one bedroom flats. However, in response to an increase in applications from mother and baby family units we also now have a need for two bedroom properties. We may also consider three bedroom properties in some areas of London. We need properties from all over Greater London though and we will also consider some properties just outside the M25. The best thing is to get in touch and we can let you know if the location of your property is suitable for our scheme.
How long can I lease my property to you for?
We ask that you make a minimum commitment of three years because we want to be able to give our tenants the security of being offered long term accommodation. We are more than happy to take a property for up to five years on the first lease contract. And naturally, if all parties are happy at the end of the first leasing period there will be an option to sign for another term.
How much rent will I get?
It depends on where in London your property is located, what the LHA (Local Housing Allowance) is for that particular area and for the size of your property. To get a free quote just click the "Quote me" button in the Free Property Valuation box on the Home Page. Alternatively you can contact one of our Property Negotiators on 020 7710 0660 or email us at landlords@reallettings.com
But surely I can get more rent if I let my property on the open market?
You may be able to get higher rental payments but not necessarily more net income! We conduct ongoing market research which shows that in many areas of London landlords are actually better off leasing to us, rather than having a high street agent let and manage their property. Because we offer guaranteed rent there are no void periods to have to account for. And with us you also do not encounter the additional costs you would with a high street such as furnishing costs, administration fees, deposit protection fees and inventory and check-in costs.
How often do I receive rent and when will my first payment be?
Your rent will be paid directly into your nominated UK bank account monthly in advance. The first rent payment will be made 14 days after the commencement date of the lease and monthly thereafter until the end of the lease contract.
Do I get paid rent even if there isn’t a tenant in the property?
Yes! Our leasing service offers you a guaranteed rent even if at any time during the contracted period we do not have a tenant in the property. Unlike most high street letting agencies, the void periods are our problem not yours!
What do I have to do to the property before I hand it over to you?
We require that the property meets with the Decent Homes Standards. Please refer to our Property Standards page for more information. We also have a Property Standards document that will provide you with all the information you need to know. Just contact us to receive a copy of this and of course if you have any specific questions about the standards we expect, we are on hand to help. Upon our first visit to your property we will carry out full inspection and will be able to tell you if there is any further work we need you to do in order to fully meet our standards.
What documents and certificates will be required?
You need to provide us with a valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), Electrical Certificate (NICEIC) and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If you do not have these certificates, and are not sure who can provide you with them, just call us and we can point you in the right direction. We also require that you have a British Gas Homecare 200 (or equivalent) boiler and heating service contract in place.
Who would I need to inform about my leasing of the property to you?
Where applicable, you will need to obtain consents to lease the property to us from the following parties; the mortgagee and anyone else who has a financial stake in the property, the headlessor of the property and any building and/or contents insurer. You should also ensure you appropriately update the tax office at the Inland Revenue.
How will my property be looked after during the leasing period?
Your property will be managed and maintained by our Broadway Property Services Team They will be the tenants contact throughout the tenancy for any maintenance and repair issues. The Property Services Team will also carry out 6 monthly property checks, during which they check that all is well in the property and that there are no maintenance issues that have not been reported by the tenant.
What am I, the Landlord, responsible for during the Leasing period?
We will be looking after the day to day management of the tenant and the property and will take care of most of the minor day to day repairs for free. You are responsible for the white goods in the kitchen and also the maintenance and repair of the systems, structure and exterior of the property. This essentially means that if there are any issues with things like the cooker, the fridge, plumbing, electrics, roofing, gas installations etc the Property Services team will need to contact you to ask you to arrange for the problem to be sorted. They can help you source suitable and reliable contractors where required.
Who will the Tenant be?
Our tenants are mostly people who have experienced homelessness in the past or are at risk of homelessness and are finding it difficult to access long term accommodation. Typically, to date, most of our tenants have been single and aged between 25 and 35 or older. However, we are now also helping single mother and baby units as well as the occasional larger family unit.
What furniture do I have to Provide for the Tenant?
We take the property predominately unfurnished. All we ask is that you provide a cooker and a fridge (fridge freezer where applicable) in the kitchen and carpets and curtains/blinds in all rooms. If you do have other furniture that you want to leave in the property it must conform to safety standards and be in good condition. Its worth noting that we do not take responsibility for replacing any of these additional furniture items should they be missing or damaged at the end of the leasing period. They will be deemed as a gift to the tenant.
How will the Tenant be monitored to make sure they are looking after my property?
Before being granted a tenancy our PRS Coordinator will assess each of our tenants to make sure they are suitable for living in your property. So you can be rest assured that we have already taken important steps, before the tenant moves in, to make sure they are likely to look after your property. Once the tenant has moved in they will continue to be supported. We will make 3 home visits during the first 6 months of the tenancy and will provide ongoing phone and email support throughout the duration of the tenancy.
Will I get my property back in the same condition that I leased it in?
Of course. This is a huge benefit of our scheme. Leasing the property to Real Lettings means that, aside from general wear and tear, we are responsible for returning property in the condition that you gave it over to us in. In fact, if you have freshly painted the property before handing it over to us, we will even repaint again before we hand it back to you.
What if I want to use your company but want to manage the tenant myself?
Most of our landlord’s find that the Leasing Service offers the best of all worlds. However, if you want to be more hands on or feel that the Leasing Service doesn’t suit you we also offer a Tenant Introduction Service. You can find out more information about this service by contacting our Real Lettings Team on 020 7710 0660 or email landlords@reallettings.com
I have more questions, who can I speak to?
No problem, all our contact numbers and email addresses are on the Contact Us page. Just get in touch in the most convenient way for you and we will happily help you through your additional queries.
I’m interested! What shall I do next?
Great! The next step is to speak to a member of our Real Lettings Team on 0207 710 0660 or email us at landlords@reallettings.com highlighting your interest in our scheme. Alternatively, you can also contact us via Facebook or Twitter. You’ll soon be speaking to a Property Negotiator who will be able to answer any further queries you might have and arrange a mutually convenient time to come and view your property.
What is your "Good Neighbour" scheme all about?
Good Neighbour is our Real Lettings volunteer scheme. Our Good Neighbours provide our tenants with one-to-one support via phone or email on a weekly basis in order to help increase their social inclusion and to help them build the confidence to become part of their local community. We carry out regular volunteer recruitment drives but also are happy to receive individual applications throughout the year. Have a look at our Get Involved page for more information.
Want to give your feedback about this website?
Real Lettings welcomes all feedback from you, the viewers of our website and our linked social media pages. Listening to your opinions and views helps us to continually improve our services to you. So if you would like to tell us what’s great (or indeed what you think is not so great!) about our website and Facebook and Twitter pages then please do get in touch. Send us an email through to reallettings@reallettings.com or message us via Twitter or Facebook.