Ask yourself:

• Have you been charged hidden fees or do you feel you pay too much?
• Do you have to deal with a different person every time you contact the office?
• Do you feel your agent doesn't give you the service you require?
• Do you have to contact the agent to find out exactly what is happening with your properties?

If you've answered YES to ANY of the above why not call Knights Property on 01773 716933 to see why we are so different.

Do you already have a tenant in your property? - Transfer to Knights Property and get your first three months management half price!

Ask about our TRANSFER SERVICE, with one letter we can organise to take over the management of your property so that you can enjoy the benefits of an independent, specialist Letting Agent who pride ourselves on having NO HIDDEN FEES along with a professional and personal service, offering exactly as much or as little as you want.

Request your Free Market Appraisal today!

Property Management Specialists

As a Specialist Lettings Agency we are fully focused on the needs and priorities of the Landlord and unlike Estate Agencies our loyalties are not divided by dealing with property sales.

We understand that letting your property, especially for the first time can be worrying and with this in mind our most important consideration is providing you, the Landlord, with a service second to none and the right tenant for your property. We never forget your property is your most important asset and we can confidently assure you that by instructing Knights Property to act as your letting and management agent your asset will be in professional, caring hands.

We are also happy to take on portfolio landlords who are more experienced and to this end we can offer a more tailor made package, for example if you are happy to collect the rent and carry out maintenance we can work around this and only offer you what you need.

We also add extra value because we can talk to you about buy to let investments, mortgage funding, grants and funding for works you may not be aware of, refurbishment and how to add value to your properties as well as projected rental yields.

Request your Free Market Appraisal today!

The following information will guide through our lettings process up to when a tenant moves in to the property.

Once we have received your instruction to market your property we will send you a confirmation to market letter enclosing your property details sheets. It is important that you check these details to ensure that all the information is correct.

Marketing:

Your property will be advertised in several ways. Our proactive marketing process includes the following:-

We have the details of perspective tenants registered with us, who are actively looking for properties across North Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Any potential tenants registered will receive an automated SMS text message informing them a property meeting their requirements has become available, this message is sent as soon as your property is added to our website.

Advertising your property via the following:

• rightmove.co.uk
• knights-property.com
• Window displays & 'property details' sheets via our centrally located office(s)
• With your permission we can mount one of our eye catching To Let Boards (this is free of charge)

We will prepare descriptive property detail sheets including room sizes, external and internal photographs, a copy of which is sent along with your confirmation to market letter.

We send details of all the properties we have available to the major employers across including large Government offices and Hospitals, for them to put on display in staff areas. And where appropriate we will forward the property details on to relocation agents.

Viewings:

All viewers will be accompanied by one of our staff who, will be on hand to answer any questions the viewer may have and explain our referencing procedure.

Our viewing times are:

Monday - Friday 10.00am - 7.00pm, weekends (by prior arrangement)

Feedback:

If you have internet access and an email address you are able to log on to the Landlords Information Centre and view comments from viewings within 24 hours of the viewing. There is also a facility for you to send messages directly to our office. If you do not have internet access, on a weekly basis we will compile and post you a feedback report so you can see how the marketing of your property is going. The report will include the following information:

• How many viewings have been held that week
• The viewers comments from those viewings
• Any recommendations on how to improve the property making it more attractive to viewers.

Under Application:

Once your property is under application we will write to you giving you an approximate moving in date and confirming the rental. We will then inform you when the references have been received and then we will confirm the moving in date in writing.

Safety Checks:

If not already obtained as soon as your property goes under application it is advisable to organise the Gas and Electrical safety checks. If you would prefer we can organise these on your behalf using our fully qualified tradesmen.

The Inventory:

With the introduction of the tenants deposit scheme in April 2007 it is now more important than ever to ensure a complete and accurate inventory and schedule of condition for the property is completed. This task can only be completed when the property is 100% ready to be handed over to the incoming tenant(s). It is for your own protection to ensure the property is available and ready for us to complete this important task. We produce an extremely detailed written and photographic inventory which is recognised by legal experts to be the best kind of inventory if for some reason there was going to be a dispute at the end of the tenancy. Please ask for details.

Who to Contact:

The Lettings Negotiator who will be dealing with your property will telephone you and introduce themselves. The negotiator will be dealing with your property and will be able to answer any questions you may have on the marketing, application and tenancy processes.

If you wish to instruct Knights Property to market your property please contact our Heanor office on 01773 716933 and then complete and return the agency agreement along with the management information instructions if you have requested either the Fully Managed or Letting Only Service.

If you wish to instruct Knights Property to market your property please request your Free Market Appraisal or simply contact us.

It is most important that an inventory of contents and schedule of condition be prepared to avoid misunderstandings or dispute at the end of a tenancy. Without such safe guards, it will be impossible for the Landlord to prove any loss, damage or significant deterioration of the property or contents. In order to provide a complete service, we will arrange a member of staff to prepare an inventory and schedule of condition. The inventory we carry out generally runs in excess of 20 pages and is both written and photographed in order to capture every detail.

Preparing the Property

We have found that a good relationship with the tenant is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As property managers this relationship is our job. It is important for tenants to feel comfortable in their home and that they are receiving value for their money. It follows therefore that a well maintained and presented property will go towards this. Tenants are also more inclined to treat such a property with greater respect.

With today's rental market getting more competitive and tenants expectations increasing, we have found the better quality properties are achieving a higher rental yield and are much more desirable, therefore renting out quicker. Included in this brochure is a check list to help you prepare your property for placing on the rental market.

General Condition

Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the Landlords expense unless misuse can be established. Interior decorations should be in good order and preferably in plain, neutral colours.

Furnishings

It is recommended that you only leave minimum furnishings, ie. Cooker, Fridge (optional), washing machine (optional), carpets and curtains. These should be left in a good clean condition (however for more upmarket properties it is generally expected that there will be a wider variety of white goods and appliances). It is preferable that items to be supplied are left in the property during viewings. A list of recommended items for furnished properties is available, please ask. If you are still unsure about certain items we will be able to advise you.

Personal Items, Ornaments Etc.

Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be removed from the property, especially those of real or sentimental value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at the Landlords risk. All cupboards and shelf space should be left clear for the tenants own use.

Gardens

Gardens should be left neat, tidy and free from rubbish, with lawns cut and flower beds weeded. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard. However, few tenants are experienced gardeners, and if you value your garden, or if it is particularly large you may wish to arrange regular visits by a local gardener.

Cleaning

At the commencement of the tenancy agreement the property must be in a thoroughly clean and tidy condition, and at the end of each tenancy it is the tenants responsibility to leave the property in a similar condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at their expense.

Keys

You should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Where we will be managing the property we will also require a set of keys. We can arrange duplicate keys to be cut at the Landlords expense.

The following requirements are the responsibility of the property owner (Landlord). Where you have signed our full management agency agreement, they are also our responsibility. Therefore where we are managing a property we will ensure compliance.

Health & Safety - Gas

Annual safety Check

Under the gas safety (installation and use) regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer (i.e. Gas Safe Registered gas installer). We can arrange for this safety check to be completed at the Landlords expense.

Maintenance

There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipe work are maintained in a safe condition at all times.

Records

Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspection of each appliance/flue, any defects found and remedial action taken.

Copies to Tenants

A copy of the safety certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection being completed.

Health & Safety - Electrical

Under the electrical equipment (safety) regulations 1994, and certain other regulations, electrical appliances and equipment provided in tenanted properties must be safe. It is therefore necessary to make a visual check to ensure all electrical items, plugs, plug sockets, light switches and leads are undamaged. Any faulty or unsafe items need to be repaired, replaced or removed.

PAT Testing

Although there is no legal requirement to have electrical appliances PAT tested we would strongly recommend that all appliances are tested as a matter of course.

Smoke Alarms

All properties built since June 1992 must have been fitted with mains powered smoke alarms from new. Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in tenanted properties, it is generally considered under Common Law Duty of Care means that Landlords or their Agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in a tenanted property where smoke alarms are not fitted. With this in mind we would recommend 1 smoke alarm should be fitted on each floor of the property.

Consumer Protection - Fire

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting a property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards, mattresses, sofa beds, futons and other covertables. Nursery furniture, garden furniture (suitable for indoor use), scatter cushions, pillows and non original covers for furniture. These regulations do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bed covers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillows, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags.

Items which comply will have a suitable permanent label attached (see below). Non-compliant items must be removed before a tenancy commences.

Carelessness Causes Fire

Name & address of manufacturer

Batch No. xxxxx

1st March 1990

This article contains CM foam which passes the specified test. All upholstery is cigarette resistant.

Cover Fabric is cotton & match resistant.

This article does not include a Schedule 3 interliner