FAQ

The biggest concerns for Landlords when renting out their properties are damage and non-payment of rent.  An experienced letting agent will have the expertise to minimise the risk, but will also know exactly what to do if the worst should occur.  Having worked in the industry for many years, we have pretty much seen and dealt with it all!

One of the most important reasons that you need a letting agent, is to ensure that your tenancy is compliant with relevant laws and legislation.  Not many landlords have a comprehensive understanding of these and often unwittingly breach them.  Unfortunately, non-compliance can attract large financial penalties, and some breaches can result in forfeiture of the security deposit, or leave you unable to regain possession of your property.  A regulated letting agency will keep up with any updates or changes to laws and legislation and will ensure that everything is done correctly.

Using the services of a letting agent, means that you do not have to have manage the let.  You can avoid chasing rent payments, conducting inspections, taking calls from your tenant and arranging maintenance, as your agent will do this for you.

A letting agent will also conduct thorough reference checks for your tenants, ensuring that they are vetted to the highest standards.

Your property will be valued based on size, location, condition and current market trends. 

Squire Property Management can arrange to visit your property and give you an accurate market appraisal.  Please contact us or submit an enquiry to book an appointment.

Squire Property Management will pay your rent into your nominated account, by bank transfer on the 3^rd working day after receipt. We will also email you a statement each month, showing your rent received, less any deductions such as our management fee, or any maintenance works that you have authorised.

Squire Property Management will contact your tenant the day after payment is missed and  send the necessary formal reminders at 7 days, 14 days and 21 days.  We will inform you that the rent is late and discuss further action, serving the required notices to recover funds, or regain possession if required.  If your tenants are co-operative, we will work with them, arranging a suitable repayment plan to recover any outstanding amounts, and allow the tenancy to continue, if you are in agreement. 

We have plenty of experience from first reminders, to gaining possession orders in court and if necessary, obtaining county court judgements, followed by bailiff collections or attachment of earnings orders.  We can advise on the best course of action to suit your circumstances and assist you in recovery.  Legal fees may apply.

Squire Property Management charge 10% of the rent collected plus VAT (12% including VAT) for our fully managed service.  A discount may be available for multiple property Landlords or large, executive properties.

We also offer a tenant find option, for a fee of 50% of the monthly rent amount plus VAT, (minimum charge of £480 including VAT).

You will also have to pay for any maintenance or compliance items that we arrange on your behalf.  Please see our fees and services tab for more details about each package.

A reputable letting agent will be a member of an accreditation scheme, which will ensure that they adhere to strict codes of conduct, and that client funds are handled correctly. Squire Property Management are regulated by Safe Agent.

Agents must hold client money protection (CMP).  There are many horror stories in the media about agents "disappearing" with rent and deposit funds.  Client Money Protection ensures that Landlords are protected against this.  Our Client Money Protection is provided by Safe Agent.

Security deposits must be protected in a government approved scheme.  Squire Property Management register and protect deposits with The Dispute Service (TDS).

Letting Agents should also be members of an authorised redress scheme.  We are members of The Property Ombudsman, who will deal with any complaints that we are not able to resolve in house.

Fees and charges should be displayed transparently on agency websites and in their office.

Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions!  An experienced and reputable agent will be able to answer them competently.

Please see the accreditation tab for details of our accreditation and professional memberships.

Yes - If you are renting out your existing property, you will need to gain formal consent to let from your mortgage lender.

If you are buying a property specifically to rent out, you will need to arrange a Buy-to Let mortgage, unless purchasing with cash.

It is important to inspect rental properties regularly, so that you can monitor the condition.  We conduct inspections every 4 months (3 visits per year) and will send a report to notify you of our findings.  If damage is caused during the tenancy, we will ask the tenants to rectify it and increase the frequency of inspections if required.

When the tenants move out, if any dilapidations or damages are identified, that are attributable to the tenants, we will make a deduction from the security deposit.  This can be in the form of replacement items (or a proportionate contribution) or a payment of compensation to the Landlord.  In the event that any deductions exceed the amount of the deposit, payment of the balance will be requested from the tenants.  If this is not forthcoming, we will advise on suitable action to recover funds owed.

The maximum security deposit allowable is equal to 5 weeks rent.

On your instruction, we will serve the required notice, to inform the tenant that you wish for them to vacate the property.  We will book a formal appointment to attend the property at the end of the notice period and conduct a final inspection.  If the tenant's fail to vacate, on expiry of the notice, we will escalate proceedings to gain a possession order (Legal fees may apply).

We advertise rental properties on Rightmove, our own website, social media and cross match to our applicant database.