Useful Information for Landlords:

At Harcourts, an Independent Agency, we offer a personal service, tailored to your own particular requirements. Since 1981 we have been providing specialist advice on all aspects of property management including planning, projects and maintenance. We offer a full management package to encompass the new legislation and the regulations which are now a major factor in lettings.

Why Choose Harcourts?

Harcourts has thirty years of experience in all aspects of Property Management and Lettings in and around Southampton, with many long term Clients who have stayed with us for over twenty years.

Currently managing over two hundred properties, we have excellent knowledge of the local rental market and all legislative requirements involved in both Assured Shorthold Tenancies and Regulated Tenancies.

We can adapt our services to meet every individual need and cover all aspects of management from the initial sourcing and purchasing of an investment property through to advice on presenting properties for sale. We can also arrange improvement and more major repairs works as required.

Tenant Find

This service is generally used when you require assistance in finding a suitable tenant, but want to manage the property yourself.

  • Advice on rental levels, in line with current market rents.
  • Property marketing and advertising.
  • Accompanied viewings
  • Full referencing for all potential tenants, to include previous landlord, employer, credit & ID check.
  • No charge until a suitable tenant is found and the tenancy begins.
  • We can provide an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (if required).
  • Collection of one month's rent, together with an agreed deposit.
  • Deposit registration with an approved scheme.

Fully Managed

Use this service if you want peace of mind and don’t wish to or don’t have the time to manage the property yourself.

We will take care of all the day to day issues that can arise when letting a property. This service covers the features of Tenant Find together with the following.

  • A comprehensive independently prepared Inventory at the start of the tenancy.
  • Notification of tenant details and meter-readings to the utility companies both at the start and end of the tenancy.
  • Rent collection and close monitoring of payments.
  • Arranging authorised property repairs and dealing with any maintenance issues.
  • 24 hour call out service available to cover any gas, plumbing, electric or building emergencies.
  • Regular property inspections.
  • Accounting on a quarterly basis.

As an option we also offer Landlords Rent Protection Insurance and Legal Expenses Cover.

Tips on Preparing a Property for Rental

It may be daunting for a first time landlord and you will understandably want to achieve the best possible results from your investment. Below are some of our recommendations for preparing your property for a new tenant:

  • The property should be decorated in light neutral colours
  • Good quality carpets and vinyl/tiled flooring throughout should also be neutral to match the décor. We would recommend that the carpets be hard-wearing to aid longevity.
  • Neutral curtains, blinds & lampshades should be in good condition & again in keeping with the décor.
  • The kitchen should come complete with white goods - a washing machine or washer dryer, cooker and fridge freezer. All white goods should be clean and in good working order.
  • The property should be professionally cleaned throughout.
  • Any soft furnishings within the property must meet the official fire resistance standards by having an attached label showing it is “fire resistant”.
  • The bathroom should be in good condition and ideally incorporate a shower.
  • The property should have suitable ventilation. If not then extractor fans could be considered in the kitchen and bathroom, and trickle vents in windows throughout to prevent mould.
  • All electrical appliances should be PAT tested by a qualified engineer.
  • A Landlords Gas Safety Certificate will be required before the tenancy begins.
  • An Energy Performance Certificate is required before the property is advertised.
  • A television aerial and telephone line are needed in most properties.

Other Services

We are happy to arrange these additional items or provide you with a quotation.

  • Building Works
  • Double Glazing
  • Decorating
  • Gas/ Plumbing
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Cleaning
  • Gardening
  • Carpets and Curtains

All you need to do… Contact our office and register your details and a member of staff will arrange a visit for a rental appraisal.