We have an ARLA registered and NFOPP qualified lettings manager who has a wealth of knowledge about the rental market and the local area. Sutherland Reay offer a friendly and professional service and understand that your property portfolio is a major investment requiring careful management. We will advise you on the right marketing to achieve the best rental value and will showcase your property not only on our widely viewed website, but also on all the major property portals such as Rightmove, Find A Property, Prime Location, Zoopla and many more, thus placing your property portfolio in front of more prospective tenants. Our lettings team is always available to landlords and tenants giving you peace of mind that no matter what time of day there is always a qualified member of staff on hand to help.We will guide you throughout the entire process to ensure you have a most pleasant and stress free experience so just call or email for a free appraisal or better still, come and meet us at our office and see for yourself why Sutherland Reay are the agent of choice.

Tenant Find Service - for experienced and professional landlords

• Professional advice on rental income, furnishings and other vital factors
• Advertising on all major property portals... Rightmove, Find a Property, Zoopla, Prime Location
• Advertising in local newspapers
• Distinctive 'To Let' board at the property
• Arranging viewings with potential tenants
• Supplying tenant with application form for the property

Let Only Service - covers all aspects for starting up a rental term

• Professional advice on rental income, furnishings and other vital factors
• Advertising on all major property portals... Rightmove, Find a Property, Zoopla, Prime Location
• Advertising in local newspapers
• Distinctive 'To Let' board at the property
• Arrange and carrying out viewings with potential tenants
• Full tenant referencing including credit checks via an independent referencing agency
• Arrange inventory and schedule of property condition
• Arrange tenancy agreement and statutory notices required for legal purposes
• Collect security deposit and hold in the Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• Collection of first month's rent
• Prepare a standing order mandate for rent to be paid monthly direct to the landlord
• Check the tenant into the property at the start of the tenancy

Fully Managed Service - in depth service to landlords for the full rental term of their property.  As the Let Only Service plus the following

• Inform local council and utility suppliers of new tenancy and supply meter readings
• Collect rental payments and chase rent arrears
• Supply landlord with monthly rental statements
• Periodic inspections to ensure the property is kept to an acceptable standard
• Management reports to landlord to update on property condition following periodic inspections
• Arrange gas safety checks at the start of the tenancy and throughout the tenancy term (additional fee)
• Arrange and oversee any remedial or repair work carried out at the property before and during the tenancy
• Tenant check out with inventory and a report of the property condition
• Review tenancy renewals
• Deposit returned to tenant depending on property condition at the checkout visit
• Handle tenancy deposit disputes

Summary of Landlord responsibilities

• If the property is mortgaged, you should obtain permission from your lender
• You are responsible for maintaining building insurance
• It is possible to insure against rental loss
• You are responsible for general repairs to the property
• Expenditure on maintenance agreements/repairs are tax deductible
• Decoration should be clean and presentable
• Furniture must be clean and presentable and up to date with current regulations
• Operating instructions should be provided for all equipment supplied
• In furnished accommodation, adequate crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils should be provided
• All carpets should be left clean
• If the garden is to be maintained by the tenants, they should be left well cared for with secure fencing
• You are responsible for Council Tax payments when the property is not occupied by tenants
• You may be responsible for the payment of water rates when the property is unoccupied
• If you require us to refer to specialist suppliers in order to complete repairs, we can do so, provided we are supplied with details of necessary repairs
• You should be aware of the Fire and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Act 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) and the provisions it contains
• You should be aware of the provisions and comply with the terms contained within the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations Act 1994

Advice Relating to Legislation Affecting Landlords and their Properties

Gas Appliances  Supply (further information - Trading Standards Services) - All new and second hand gas appliances as part of a let must be safe and have clear instructions and warnings appropriate to their safe useInstallation and Use (further information - Private Sector Housing and Health & Safety Executive) - Landlords must ensure all gas appliances and flues (this includes bottled and LPG cabinet heaters) are maintained and checked for safety at least every 12 months. You must also keep a record of maintenance and safety checks and make this information available to Tenants, on requestAdvisory - Any LPG heater presents a health and safety risk due to it being a portable source of heat. In addition it creates severe condensation and this may contribute to the dwelling being unfit for human habitation. Landlords are strongly advised not to provide LPG heaters to their tenants. 
Mains Electrical Installations Although the law does not stipulate that the mains electrical installation needs to be inspected. We advise all Landlords to obtain an Electrical Safety Inspection on the mains electrical installation, to be done prior to the start of tenancy and within the following 5 years or on change of occupancy. 
Mains Electrical Equipment If electrical equipment is provided with the let accommodation then it must be left safe. This applies to such items as kettles, televisions, electrical cookers, washing machines etc.The law does not stipulate that you have to have each item of electrical equipment tested. However, it is strongly recommended that you should consider having items tested to protect your Tenant from danger and yourself from possible prosecution and/or civil litigation. Any tests should be carried out at reasonable intervals, bearing in mind the likely rate of usage of the appliance. Make sure any test identifies clearly the equipment tested and keep such test reports for your own reference and to produce to the enforcement personnel if required.Any plug on an electrical appliance must be a "standard plug" i.e of an approved type, with live and neutral pins sleeved and having the correct fuse rating for the appliance to which it is connected. Mains appliances must by law, be fitted with a plug. (Further information - trading standards service).