ARLA Letting Agents
ARLA Lettings Agents in West Hampstead, Hampstead, Hampstead Village.
Paramount is a fully bonded member The Association of Residential Letting Agents and adheres to their strict business standards.Letting Advice for Landlords and Tenants from A.R.L.A.
Our lettings managers and staff are amongst the most highly trained in the business. For all West Hampstead property lettings and management enquiries, please contact us on 020 7372 0202
Are There Any Rules About What Comes With A Property If Its Fully Furnished, Furnished, Part Furnished Or Unfurnished?
No, there are no strict rules but both expectations and reality can vary in different areas of the country and even within different niche sectors within the local markets.
Generally, a property offered as fully furnished would come with all the main fixtures, furnishings and fittings, white goods etc., plus the standard crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots and pans etc., that a reasonable tenant would normally use on a day to day basis.
At the other end of the scale, an unfurnished property would normally be provided only with such basics as carpets, curtains and light fittings.
Clearly, there are infinite variations between these two extremes of what might be included. Therefore, the critical aspect, whether you are a landlord or tenant, is to make sure that everyone clearly understands what main items are, or are not, included before finalising the tenancy agreement.
What About Safety Regulations For Rented Property?
There are specific legal obligations and responsibilities on a landlord with regard to Fire safety for Furniture & Furnishings; Gas supply and appliances; plus Electrical wiring and appliances; these are more fully explained in the ARLA leaflet Lets make it Safe.
What About Insurance?
Landlords and tenants should take care to review any existing policies when renting or letting a property for the first time as some standard insurance products will either not provide cover, or might place restrictions on cover, for rented property and/or its contents.
A failure to inform your insurer that you are renting/letting a property could invalidate any subsequent claim. It is for a landlord to insure the building and his/her contents, fixtures and fittings.
The tenants are responsible for insuring any of their own possessions. There are various specialist insurance products designed for landlords and tenants and rented property: - Buildings, Contents, Legal Expenses, Emergency Repair cover, Rental Guarantee cover etc.
Since the 14th January 2005 it has been illegal for a letting agent (or anyone else) to advise on or sell such general insurance products unless they are authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), or, directly regulated by a broker registered with the FSA.
What About An Inventory/Schedule Of Condition?
This is an absolutely essential document that provides a written benchmark, which should be amended, updated and recreated before the beginning of each new tenancy. A properly constructed Inventory/Schedule of Condition details the fixtures and fittings and describes their condition and that of the property generally. Landlord and tenant often share the costs involved in preparing and checking the inventory; such costs should be seen as a necessary investment that helps protect the interests of both landlord and tenant.
What Is A Tenancy Agreement?
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out both the legal and contractual responsibilities and obligations of the two parties. It should be written in plain and intelligible language (no unnecessary jargon!) and its terms and clauses should be fair and balanced, taking account of the respective positions of the parties and should not mislead about legal rights and responsibilities. Landlord and tenant should take care to individually negotiate any particular terms or conditions that are important to them or especially relevant to the particular let or property.
What Kind Of Tenancy Agreement Will Be Used?
The most common form of tenancy agreement used is an Assured Shorthold (an AST) under the 1988 Housing Act (amended 1996). This type of tenancy offers the most flexibility to both landlord and tenant; has straightforward notice procedures for bringing the tenancy to an end and a special Accelerated Possession court procedure should tenants fail to vacate.
If certain specific conditions are met relating to the proposed letting, a contractual non-housing act tenancy must be created. One example of this would be what is commonly referred to as a Company Let where the tenant is a bona fide registered company, another would be where the annual rent equates to over