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Regulations and Fees

Professional and ethical

Trust is an important part of estate agency and we want to send a clear message to our clients and customers that we are a professional company acting ethically at all times. As well as our own stringent in-house code of conduct, we are compliant with the following governing bodies: The Property Ombudsman; Safe Agent, TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) and CTSI (Chartered Trading Standards Institute).

The Property Ombudsman
Trading Standards
Safeagent
Tenancy Deposit Scheme

View Tenancy Deposit Scheme Membership Certificate (PDF)

View The Property Ombudsman Membership Certificate (PDF)

Letting Regulations for Landlords

Keeping you informed of your legal obligations as a landlord.

Electrical Installations & Equipment

Landlords of private rental properties and houses of multiple occupation are required to have an electrical installation condition report (EICR) carried out and available for the start of a new tenancy and for existing tenancies. This is to comply with the electricity safety standards in the private rented section (England) regulations 2020.

It is a legal requirement for a rental property to have a valid EICR before a new tenancy starts and are typically valid for 5 years from the date of the test. On completion of an EICR being carried out faults that have been identified are required to be rectified within 28 days from the date of the test and need to be undertaken by a Part P registered competent person.

Electrical equipment that is provided by the landlord that is to be used by a tenant at the property, is legally required to be safe to use to comply with the electrical equipment (safety) regulations 1994. It is always best practice to carry out a portable appliance test (PAT) on any electrical equipment provided, as you may be liable if the tenants are harmed from a faulty electrical appliance at the property.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/made

https://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/responsibilities/electrical_inspections.shtml

EPC

Energy Performance Certificates are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented. You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent. An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. To let a property your efficiency rating must be between A and E.

https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificatesFire

The furniture supplied within a rental property must comply with fire resistance requirements as defined within The Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended).

The regulations apply to beds, headboards of beds and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in the dwelling, scatter cushions and seat pads, pillows, loose and stretch covers for furniture. They do not apply to furniture made before 1950, bedclothes including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillow cases, curtains, carpets and sleeping bags.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/1324/contents/made
Gas

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require a gas safety check to be carried out on every gas appliance/flue. This will ensure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use. A certificate will be supplied by a Gas Safe registered engineer stating a pass or a fail, and the appropriate action will be required should the check fail. The certificate is valid for 12 months and must be provided to the tenants prior to the commencement of the tenancy. Keatons will not allow tenants to move in without a valid certificate.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 require that a working smoke alarm be fitted on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms containing a solid fuel appliance.

If smoke alarms are present, it is imperative that they are maintained. A clause within the tenancy agreement will typically inform the tenants of their responsibility to keep it well maintained and the battery to be replaced when necessary.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords

Tax and the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme

You may be subject to income tax during the rental period and capital gains when you sell. If you are in any doubt, or you would prefer not to complete your own self-assessment tax return, then we advise that you consult an accountant.

https://www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property/paying-tax

If you reside overseas, we are required by HMRC to comply with the non-resident landlord scheme. Unless the landlord provides a NRL form to HMRC, we will be required to deduct the basic rate of income tax from the rent. Keatons can provide and assist you with the required information. Once HMRC approval is given we will able to transfer rental income without deductions.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/international/nr-landlords.htm

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/nrl1.pdf

Tenancy Deposit Protection

Legislation requires security deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies to be registered with a government approved scheme. Keatons can register the deposit on behalf of the landlord. We are members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/

Property Licensing

You may be required to apply for a licence to rent your property. Regulations vary depending on the Borough and style of property.

https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation

Landlord Services and Fees

Are you considering letting your property in London, but you’re not sure what it takes? Please read our list of useful information and advice on property management, as well as the services that Keatons can offer you.

  Services and charges — Sole agency*
Service Comprehensive Financial Essential
**Term 1 16.8% (14%+VAT) 13.2% (11%+VAT) 9.6% (8%+VAT)
***Term 2+ 14.4% (12%+VAT) 10.8% (9%+VAT) 7.2% (6%+VAT)
  Keatons arrangement fee £360
  Marketing
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
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✓ ✓ ✓
  Progression
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
  Tenancy
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
✓ ✓  
  Management
✓ ✓  
✓    
✓    
✓    
✓    
✓    
✓    
✓    
✓    
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*Charges are based on a minimum tenancy term of 12 months.
**Term 1 is the length of the first tenancy. ***Term 2+ is applicable when tenants remain after Term 1.
An additional 2.4% will be added to any of the above sole agency charges should you instruct more than one agency.
Comprehensive and financial service fees are taken monthly for the duration of the tenancy term. Essential service fees are payable up front.

Landlord Services Brochure (PDF)

Landlord Fees & Charges (PDF)

Tenancy Protection Service (PDF)

Tenants Information

If you would like to proceed with a property through Keatons then the following payments will apply:

Permitted Payments:

  1. Application payment – One week’s rent. This is required to reserve the property and submit your offer to the landlord. If accepted, this amount will be deducted from the total balance due. The payment is refundable if your offer is not accepted.
  2. Deposit – Five week’s rent (six week’s rent if the annual rent exceeds £50,000).
  3. If you are late in paying your rent you may be charged interest on the rent outstanding if it is owed for more than 14 days at a rate of 3% over the Bank of England base rate.
  4. Changes to the tenancy agreement, for example, a change of tenant or permission to keep pets at the property, will be charged at £50.00 (and reasonable costs if these exceed £50.00).
  5. If you lose your keys or other security device you will be charged reasonable costs incurred by the landlord to replace these or the locks at the property.
  6. If you leave or request to terminate the tenancy early, you will be liable to pay for any fees for re-letting and outstanding rent owed to the Landlord.
  7. Other charges in addition to the above that are applicable to tenants where required under a tenancy agreement: Rent, payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence, council tax.

Keatons are members of Safe Agent, The Property Ombudsman and The Tenancy Deposit Scheme and adhere to the regulations prescribed by Trading Standards and UK Law.

Keatons Tenant Handbook (PDF)

Client Money Protection

Safe Agent Certificate