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Landlords
There are several reasons why landlords choose to use a letting agent when renting or leasing a property. Letting agents can provide various services that make the whole process more convenient and e icient for both landlords and tenants.
Letting agents help to ensure that all legal requirements are met and can handle the numerous tasks involved in renting a property saving the landlord considerable time and e ort.
We work with our landlords to provide the most suitable level of service depending on their prior experience, budget and the level of involvement they wish to have with their tenants.
You are required to obtain permission from your mortgage lender before renting out a property and may need to abide by certain conditions. If you are looking to purchase a property to rent it out, you may wish to consider a buy to let mortgage.
You will also need to inform your insurance company to avoid invalidating your insurance.
If you are a leaseholder of the property, you must also obtain consent from the Freeholder or Head leaseholder before subletting to a tenant.
All landlords may be liable for paying tax on rental income. Please refer to the UK Gov Website for full information – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/income-tax-when-you-rent-out-a-property-working-out-your-rental-income
If there is a tenant in the property, they will be responsible for paying Council Tax and utilities. However, if the property is empty for a period, it will become the Landlord’s responsibility to pay.
Contact your Local Authority for guidance on Council Tax:
West Lancs Council – https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/
If you opt for rent collection to be included in your service, we will collect the rent from the tenant on your behalf via Direct Debit or Standing Order. We will then transfer the money to your designated account after deducting any fees. We will also issue you a statement each month.
All client money will be held in a dedicated Client Money Account. Bloom is a member of a Client Money Protection Scheme which protects landlords and tenants by reimbursing them if the agent misappropriates rent, deposits or other funds.
Deposits are required to be registered with a tenancy deposit scheme. Bloom registers deposits with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS).
The DPS also offer a resolution service to assist with any disputes at the end of the tenancy.
An Inventory and Schedule of Condition is a comprehensive list detailing the contents and the condition of a property prior to a tenant moving in. If there is a dispute over any damages to the property or contents at the end of the tenancy, the Inventory provides a point of reference and proof of the original condition which will significantly help with reaching a suitable resolution.
There must be a current Gas Safety Certificate for the property that has been provided by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer following a safety check. This must be renewed every 12 months.
There must also be a current Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which must be renewed every 5 years.
These must both be provided to tenants prior to the start of the tenancy.
It is also recommended to have a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) carried out on any electrical appliances in the property to ensure they are safe for use.
Any furnishings in the property must meet the required safety standards set out in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 .
All furniture manufactured after 1950 must display a permanent label or tag to show that it meets the minimum fire safety standards.
Yes, each floor of the property must have a working smoke alarm fitted.
A carbon monoxide alarm should also be fitted in any room which contains a solid fuel heating appliance.
Full information on the regulations can be found here.
Tenant
Get in touch with a member of our team who are here to help with any enquiries about any of our properties available for rent and can arrange a viewing for you. Viewing a property is the best way to know if the property will meet your needs.
If there are no suitable properties currently available, we can register your details and let you know when new properties become available that meet your requirements.
Yes, all prospective tenants will be referenced prior to being accepted to give the landlord assurance that rent will be paid regularly and that their property is in good hands.
You will be asked to provide address, bank account and employment and income details to be checked by a referencing agency to assess your ability to commit to rental payments.
Personal references or references from previous landlords may also be required.
Where a tenant does not receive approval, they may be able to arrange to pay the full rental amount up front or provide a suitable Guarantor.
We will require proof of ID such as a passport or driving licence along with proof of residency such as a utility bill.
A guarantor will be required if the tenant does not receive approval via the referencing process and is someone who agrees to be responsible for rent payments should the tenant not be able to pay.
Guarantors will also have responsibility for payment or any rent arrears and for damages sustained not covered by the deposit amount.
Guarantors will also be subject to reference checks.
Prior to the tenancy, you will only be required to pay a Security Deposit, a Holding Deposit and the first month’s rent up front (or other rental period as agreed).
The Security Deposit is capped at 5 weeks’ rent (where annual rent is below £50,000) and is refundable subject to any dispute over damages at the end of the tenancy.
The Holding Deposit is capped at 1 week’s rent and can be retained for a maximum of 14 days. This is usually then deducted from the first rental payment or returned as a refund. (This deposit may be retained by the landlord if any false information is provided during the application and referencing process).
Your deposit will be registered with a deposit protection. We are registered with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS).
The deposit is then either held by the landlord, the agent or the deposit scheme (DPS).
You will receive full information on how your deposit is being held and what is being held against within 30 days of it being registered.
You will be provided with details of who to contact at the start of your tenancy. Depending on the level of service it will either be the landlord or the agent.
If in doubt, or you have any queries, please contact the Bloom team.
If you feel there is an issue with your landlord, for example you feel they are not honouring their terms of your agreement, then please get in touch with us and we will endeavour to help with resolving any problems.
If you would like independent advice, you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
As a tenant, you are entitled to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of your home during your tenancy and your landlord or agent must give you at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the property (except in case of emergency).
If your circumstances change and you are concerned about your rental payments, please contact either us or your landlord, if rental payments are made direct to them, as soon as possible.
It is much better to discuss any issues straight away before rental arrears build up. Remember that unpaid rent can ultimately damage your credit score so please seek assistance at the earliest opportunity.
Any restrictions placed on the tenancy will be included in the property description. They will also be outlined during the application process and contained within the tenancy agreement.
It is common for landlords to request no pets or smoking in the property so please check for any such restrictions relating to any property you may be interested in at an early stage to avoid disappointment.
Any changes made to the property is likely to require express written permission from the landlord. This includes painting and decorating.
Please do not make any changes without first seeking permission.
Bloom Properties is here to help you find your perfect home or secure the right tenant for your property.
