Landlords checklist

4 weeks

Check that any furniture staying in the property complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. If required, book a professional removal company to remove any unwanted items.

To ensure that your property complies with all safety regulations you will need to book the following engineers before the start of the tenancy (some estate agents will do this for you):

• A Gas Safe registered engineer to assess the safety of all gas appliances. (Required by law £70.00 + VAT)
• A qualified engineer to carry out a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) to assess the safety of all electrical appliances. *
• An Energy Performance Certificate will be required (by law) to assess how energy efficient the property is. (Required by law £70.00 + VAT)

*Not compulsory but highly recommended to be carried out

3 weeks

Book a professional cleaner (we can organise this on your behalf) to ensure the property is presented in good order. Make sure that all fitted items (e.g. shelving and pictures etc) are safe and secure.

2 weeks

If applicable, mow the lawn before the tenants move in and give any garden furniture a good clean. Redirect your mail if you are the current registered occupant of the property.

1 week

Defrost and clean the fridge and freezer.

Make sure that user manuals (e.g. cooker, washing machine, dishwasher etc) are available for the tenants, you have read and understood the Tenancy Agreement and the obligations placed on you as the landlord. Provide the correct number of keys to EPC.

Finding a tenant

Once you accept an offer from an applicant, we will do the following regardless of whether the property is managed or let-only.

• The tenant will complete an application form and provide their personal details and details of their references
• Collect reference responses
• Collect moving in payment (rent + deposit)
• Carry out image inventory
• Arrange appointment for the tenant to sign all paperwork and hand over keys

For your added peace of mind, where applicable we hold the deposit as a stakeholder (required by law to be registered in a certified rent deposit scheme) and register this with a deposit protection scheme (The Dispute Service). There is an additional fee of £20.00 + VAT for this service.

Moving in day

EPC will arrange transfers of your funds and retain all copies of signed documentation from your tenants.

If Let-Only, these documents will be sent to you within 14 days.

During tenancy

Your responsibilities during the tenancy are set out in the Tenancy Agreement. If your property is managed any issues that arise will be dealt with by Essex Property Centre offering you peace of mind throughout the tenancy

If Let-Only, these documents will be sent to you within 14 days.

If you are going to manage your property yourself you will need to be on hand to deal with any potential problems or queries from your tenant.

End of tenancy

If you are going to manage your property yourself, the following must be actioned at the end of the tenancy:

• You should check that the services have been returned to your name for the start of any vacant period. Essex Property Centre may be able to do this for you if given the necessary information.
• The tenant is responsible for notifying the relevant service providers and local authority that they are leaving.

The tenant is responsible for notifying the relevant service providers and local authority that they are leaving.

Moving out day

The keys will be returned to Essex Property Centre who will arrange an exit inspection within 7 days and we will contact you concerning the return of the deposit funds.