Bond & Sherwill pride ourselves on providing excellent tenants for all properties. We use Homelet to carry out all tenants referencing on our behalf. We can also offer rent guarantee on all managed properties for a fee.
Bond & Sherwill have proudly managed a portfolio of hundreds of properties for over the past one hundred and ten years. Many of these properties have remained with Bond & Sherwill throughout successive generations of landlords. We pride ourselves in their continued business and aim to achieve this level of trust with every new landlord who uses our services.
Bond & Sherwill's initial market appraisal of your property is free. Our experienced property consultant will discuss the rental of your property and the best way of achieving this. You only pay commission when we have successfully let your property. During and after the lettings process you will always have access to an experienced lettings member of staff.
We are committed to be upfront with our charges and fees. The table below shows all Landlords Fees shown both inclusive and exclusive of VAT. For more details, please refer to your Terms of Business or ask a member of our team.
| Description of Fee | Gross (inclusive VAT) | Net (exclusive VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Management (not including Rent Recovery Plus) | 14.4% inc VAT of monthly rent | 12% + VAT of monthly rent |
| Full Management (to include Rent Recovery Plus) | 18% inc VAT of monthly rent | 15% + VAT of monthly rent |
| Let & Rent Collection Service (not including Rent Recovery Plus) | 12% inc VAT of monthly rent | 10% + VAT of monthly rent |
| Let & Rent Collection Service (to include Rent Recovery Plus) | 15.6% inc VAT of monthly rent | 13% + VAT of monthly rent |
| Tenant Introduction | 9.6% inc VAT of total value of rent | 8% + VAT of total value of rent |
| My Deposit Protection Scheme (FM/RCS/TI) | £48.00 inc VAT | £40.00 + VAT |
| Tenancy Agreement | £199.00 inc VAT | £165.83 + VAT |
| Tenancy Extension | £150.00 inc VAT | £125.00 + VAT |
| Notice of Possession (RCS/TI) | £90.00 inc VAT | £75.00 + VAT |
| Pre Tenancy Clean | Minimum charge £144.00 inc VAT | Minimum charge £120.00 + VAT |
| Court Attendance | £240.00 per day or part therefore inc VAT | £200.00 per day or part therefore + VAT |
| Property Visits | £120.00 inc VAT per visit | £100.00 + VAT per visit |
| Empty Care Service | £120.00 inc VAT per visit | £100.00 + Vat per visit |
| Arranging Keys | £10.00 inc VAT plus cost of Keys | £8.33 + VAT plus cost of keys |
| To arrange and supply a landlords annual gas safety check/certificate | £96.00 inc VAT | £80.00 + VAT |
| To arrange and supply a Fixed Wiring Test/Certificate (one circuit) | £216.00 inc VAT | £180.00 + VAT |
| To arrange and supply an Energy Performance Certificate | £94.80 inc VAT | £79.00 + VAT |
| Tenancy Renewal Fee (TI service only) | 12% inc VAT of total value of rent | 10% + VAT of total value of rent |
| Administration Fee | £60.00 inc VAT | £50.00 + VAT |
| Check Out Fee | Minimum charge £156.00 inc VAT | Minimum charge £130.00 + VAT |
| Inventory Make | Minimum charge £216.00 inc VAT | Minimum charge £180.00 + VAT |
Preparing your property for rental
Before putting your property on the market identify what decoration, repairs and cleaning the property needs before renting. If you are residing at the property it can sometimes be difficult to see what needs to be done and it is worth getting a second opinion from a friend or one of our lettings staff.
| Cost Free Options | Cost Options |
|---|---|
|
Reduce Clutter
Remove as much as possible. |
Decorating When decorating it is advisable to use neutral colour schemes throughout. Use soft, light and warm colours. Consider using branded paints and colours which will not be discontinued. This will help ensuring touch-ups can be carried out between tenancies. It is advisable to buy more paint than required and leave a spare can in the property. |
| Clean and Tidy
Ensure your property is maintained and received in a clean and tidy condition including windows, kitchen and bathrooms and carpets. |
Flooring
When considering re-flooring your property think about the use of a quality laminate or wood floor throughout the ground floor and a hard wearing neutral carpet for the stairs, landing and bedrooms. It is often a good idea to have the carpets professionally cleaned as it is a condition of the ASTA when the tenant is exiting the property. This way the carpet will be clean and ready for the new tenants. |
| Appliances
Ensure Items that will be remaining in the property such as a fridge/freezer are defrosted, cleaned thoroughly. Tenants will often check the cleanliness of other appliances including oven, hobs, washer, dryer, and dish washer. |
Maintenance
Most tenants will not want to be spending all their time gardening and cleaning. Keep the property simple and its gardens attractive but low maintenance. |
| Neighbours
It's prudent to meet and introduce yourself to neighbours of your rental property. The benefits of this are, should there be an issue with the property while vacant or tenanted, they will be more likely to assist and contact you when required. |
Be Objective
Don't overlook flaws because you don't mind them. By ensuring your property is finished to a good standard not only will your tenant be more likely to look after the property but this will also help secure a reputable tenant. |
Furnished or unfurnished?
Properties can be let either furnished or unfurnished; our lettings staff will be able to advise you on which option is best for your property. Unfurnished properties usually have white goods, i.e. fridge/freezer, washing machine. If you do let a property furnished all the essentials will be expected such as beds, wardrobes, sofas and dining table and chairs. You may leave additional electrical goods but you will be responsible for replacing them if they become faulty. It is not advisable to leave personal effects behind. All goods must comply with safety regulations.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Current legislation requires you to obtain an EPC prior to marketing your property and it must contain certain information. Our lettings administrators will be able to arrange one for you.
Marketing
Our full colour particulars and floor plans will be produced and mailed out to our comprehensive list of potential tenants within 48 hours of instruction. Your property’s exposure to potential buyers will be maximised through all major property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla , Prime Location etc. Colour details will also be displayed in our prominent office location. Our proactive lettings team will capitalise on the opportunity to generate early interest in your property.
Virtual Tours
Virtual tours are the perfect way to open up your property without having to worry about gloves or face-masks. But at the same time, we also recognise you only get one chance to make a first impression. This means that while virtual tours can make a sale happen, corner cutting will make them ineffective at best or damaging at worst, with poor lighting, rough movement or unskilled operation all likely to turn your viewer off.
It is for this reason that through an exclusive agreement, we can offer the services of a professional videographer who will use a wide-angled lens and axis-stabalisation equipment to capture your property in its finest light, with a seamless progression throughout your property.
Professional Photography
We offer professional photographs through our exclusive partnership in this area with a highly-popular company. They will be happy to help craft a bespoke package tailored to each individual property including wide-angled photos and the latest model technology.
Conducting a property viewing
Bond & Sherwill conduct viewings 9am-6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Saturdays and by appointment on Sundays. We will check that a time is suitable prior to confirming a time with a prospective tenant. Our service will be tailored to suit your times and preferences for viewings. Our staff will always conduct property viewings if requested so you do not need to be present. Sometimes we hold keys and can access the property to suit your arrangements.
How long does it take to find a tenant?
With our extensive advertising and High Street presence it could only take a matter of hours or days. At Bond & Sherwill we are able to maximise the speed of let due to our computerised databases that match properties to potential tenants and inform them by email and SMS. We also undertake all the usual marketing to ensure we find you a tenant as quickly as possible.
Receiving an offer
As soon as a prospective tenant has made an offer we will let you know verbally and in writing. You the landlord must determine whether or not the offer is acceptable.
Accepting an offer
The offer will be subject to references and nothing is legally binding until the Tenancy Agreement is signed. Our lettings administrators will keep you informed at each stage and send you the references and a draft Tenancy Agreement for your approval.
Gas Safety Certificate
Properties with gas installations and appliances must be tested annually to ensure they are in good order. A copy of the certificate will be left at the property for inspection by the tenant. Our lettings administrators will arrange a gas safety inspection for you.
Inventory
Before a tenancy commences we advise instructing an inventory clerk to prepare a record of the condition of the property prior to the tenant's occupation. A copy should be provided to each party. Our lettings administrators will be able to arrange this for you.
Rent and Deposit
We will collect the first month's rent and deposit from the tenant prior to their move. Once all documentation is received and agreements signed the tenancy can commence. Current legislation requires all deposits to be registered with an appropriate body within thirty days of the deposit being received.
Property Management
We offer full management, rent collection or a tenant find only service. Details of each service can be explained in full. Please contact us for our latest fees. We also offer a discount to landlords who have several properties.
We manage many properties from residential to commercial.
If you have any management enquires or are looking for a competitive management quote please do contact us for full information of all our services.