Whilst in the past furnished properties may have achieved higher rent, however in today’s market furnishing a property generally makes little difference to its rental worth and does come with added responsibility on the landlord. However, most tenants require white goods in a property due to many being integrated these days. As such, a property is more generally more desirable with white goods if possible.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety Amendment) Regulations 1993. These regulations were amended in 1993 and set new levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture and furnishings. It is an offence to ‘supply’ in the course of business any furniture which does not comply with the regulations. This includes supplying furniture as part of a residential property to be let. The regulations apply to; sofas, beds, bed-heads, children’s furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions and pillows, stretch or loose covers for furniture or other similar items. The regulations do not apply to: curtains, carpets, bedclothes (including duvets and mattress covers).

Any piece of furniture manufactured after March 1990 is likely to comply, but if the appropriate labels cannot be located on the furniture, compliance is in doubt and checks should be made with the manufacturer.

The landlord is responsible for the white goods unless it is specifically noted as a clause to the tenancy agreement that they are left for the use of the tenant but the landlord will not maintain the item. Please advise us on valuation if you wish to leave appliances.

A landlord would pay for the service charge on a rented apartment.

This is an important legal document forming an integral part of the Tenancy Agreement. Unfortunately, many landlords fail to realise its importance and try to ‘save money’ by preparing their own inventory, or worse still, not preparing one at all. More often than not this proves to be a false economy, as money cannot be withheld from a tenant’s deposit in compensation for loss or damage unless it can be proved that the loss or damage was actually caused while in the tenant’s possession. This is impossible to do if the condition of the item in question is not accurately and thoroughly described in an Inventory and Condition Report. Unfurnished properties also require an inventory, as there will be walls and floor coverings, kitchen and bathroom fittings etc the condition of which will also need to be described. Therefore we strongly recommend that you allow us to arrange for a professional inventory to be carried out.

Yes, it is a legal requirement to have a gas safety record (GSR) completed annually. One must be provided to us in advance of the let proceeding in order for the tenancy to commence. No let will proceed without a GSR. In the event a landlord cannot source their own gas engineer we can arrange this for them.

Yes, our agency needs to be in receipt of this certificate within 7 days of instruction.

One set of keys should be provided by the landlord for each tenant on the tenancy agreement. Aspect Lettings will also require a full set should we be instructed to manage the property.

If you have a mortgage you must obtain consent from your mortgage lender. If your interest in the property is leasehold your lease may require you to obtain consent from your landlord prior to subletting.

Income Tax is payable on all letting income received by a landlord whether they are residing in the UK or abroad. The introduction of self-assessment under the Finance Act 1995, means that landlords must complete a Tax Return form declaring their rental income for the tax period and it is the Landlords responsibility to inform Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) accordingly. Visit or call the HMRC hotline on 08459 000 404 for more information.

Standard deposit is usually 1 months rent plus an additional £100, but this can change depending of the agreed offer at the beginning and the tenant’s personal circumstances. This is payable once the AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy) Agreement has been signed. If we are managing the property the deposit will be lodged with the Deposit Protection Service, (DPS) and the tenant will be provided with a certificate and ID number. This will be paid in full to the DPS and is free of charge to our Landlords. If the landlord wishes to manage the property themselves, we ask the tenants to pay the deposit to us and we will pay in on to the Landlord and it will be the Landlords responsibility to ensure the deposit is lodged or insured as per legislation, we will ask the Landlord for provide confirmation this has been done.

This is completely your choice as the Owner/Landlord of the property, we are completely flexible. We pride ourselves in 100% accompanied viewings. Therefore, as a Landlord you will have the choice if you want to be present at the time of viewing or not.

Yes, you can providing you have given them a minimum of 24 hours’ notice with agreement by the tenant in advance. We do however advise that you give as much notice as possible to save any disruption where possible. Otherwise the only other way of entering your property would be with a court order.