Useful Information

WHY EPS PROPERTIES ?

As a letting agent, our mission is to illustrate the real value we offer to all our clients by emphasising the benefits of our services.

Using a Letting Agent Reduces Risk.

It begins with us finding the right tenants in the first place. Tenant selection is not just about filling a vacancy; it is about ensuring the longevity of the property investment. This is where we have the experience and resources to find and screen potential tenants, reducing the risk of problematic renters.

EPS Letting provide:

Comprehensive Background Checks:
As well as verifying income and general affordability, this includes checking credit history, rental history and right to rent.
A history of missed payments, an unpaid IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) or payments to debt collection agencies can all be potential causes for concern.
By identifying red flags early on, EPS letting agent will help landlords void a problematic tenant.

Quality Tenants:
EPS Letting agent use our experience to identify quality tenants i.e. Those who are likely to pay rent on time and respect the property.
This results in less disputes and lower turnover rates. Minimal Vacant Periods: EPS Letting agents can minimise income loss by swiftly filling vacancies through their network of potential tenants and their access to major property portals, benefiting landlords financially and ensuring the security of their properties.

Using EPS Letting Agent Means Efficient Property Management and Maintenance.
EPS letting agent understands how time-consuming, and often stressful, property management can be, dealing with everything from routine maintenance to addressing tenant complaints and emergency repairs. We can take the burden off landlords’ shoulders by managing the proper ty for them – ensuring a well maintained and compliant property.

Landlords can be assured of:

Timely Repairs and Maintenance:
EPS Letting agents have a network of trusted contractors who can quickly address any issues that arise. This ensures the property remains in good condition and tenants are satisfied.
Legal Compliance: The UK has many laws and regulations that landlords must adhere to, from safety standards to tenancy agreements. EPS Letting agents’ knowledge and understanding of these regulations ensures that landlords are not caught out – reducing the risk of legal issues and financial penalties.

24/7 Emergency Support:
Property emergencies can happen at any time. EPS Letting agents offer ‘out of hours’ emergency support, ensuring any urgent issues are dealt with promptly.
Regular Property Inspections: Under a full management agreement, EPS letting agents will conduct regular property inspections. This helps spot any potential problems before they become an issue.
EPS carries out inspection every 3 months. Compared to the market standard of 6 monthly inspections.
EPS now has a designated accountant. Shem, has years of experience. She works solely for EPS Proper ties and dedicates her time to EPS & our Clients accounts.

Why EPS Letting Agents Are Invaluable To Landlords

In the dynamic and fast-paced world of residential lettings and proper ty management, EPS letting agents play a crucial role in simplifying the lives of landlords.
From expert tenant screening to efficient property and client money management, EPS agent services offer a myriad of benefits.
By leveraging EPS letting agents’ expertise, landlords will save time, reduce stress, and enhance the value and profitability of their property investments.

As you are aware, we are members of ARLA PROPERTYMARK. What does this mean for you.

1. Trained and Qualified Staff
2. Years of experience at all levels
3. CMP Client Money Protection. This means your money will always be safe.
4. Ombudsman. This means a complaint can be made against us and we have to respond.

This means we are always accountable.

THE MARKET IN GENERAL FOR 2023 / 2024

The Autumn Statement (which is sometimes known as the autumn budget) is an annual announcement that outlines the government’s plans for the year ahead – including the state of the economy, planned spending, and revenue gathering. Self-employed landlords and letting agents receive tax cuts.

Below are some of the items that may interest you.

1. Local Housing Allowance increases to support lower income tenants.
2. Self-employed landlords and letting agents receive tax cuts.
3. Measures to support increased homebuilding may alleviate pressures on the sector.
4. Further opportunities for property developers, including converting houses to flats.
5. Smaller agencies to benefit from business rate relief.
6. Higher wages for lower earning tenants and property professionals.
7. One pension pot for life to affect entire rented sector.

Useful Information for Landlords

(April 2024)
What fees can I ask a tenant to pay?
Rent – Utilities – Holding Deposit – Full Security Deposit – Default
The only payments you can charge in connection with a tenancy are:

1. Default: payments to make changes to the tenancy agreement when requested by the tenant, capped at £50
2. Default: payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant TBC
3. Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax.
4. Default fee for late payment of rent. You can only charge a tenant a default fee, for a late payment of rent (which is more than 14 days overdue)
5. The reasonable costs incurred by the landlord or agent (for a replacement key/security device).

What fees can I NOT ask a tenant to pay?
If they are not listed above, you cannot ask the tenant to pay – it is that simple.

1. Full Inventory reports for Check-in or Check-out
2. Referencing pre tenancy
3. Application process
4. Renewals of tenancies
5. We are not able to insist that the tenant’s hold insurance, now it is optional.
6. We cannot use a clause in the Tenancy Agreement, that they must have the property professionally cleaned at the end of the Tenancy. We are only allowed to use wording as so: ‘To leave the property in the same manner as your first found it’.

FFHH – (FITNESS FOR HUMAN HABITATION) ACT 2018

THE CHANGES Under the Homes Act 2018, landlords and letting agents acting on their behalf must ensure properties, including common parts where they have an estate or interest, are fit for human habitation at the beginning and throughout the duration of a tenancy.

Tenants will now be able to take direct legal action if their agent or landlord does not comply with the Act.

NB: Landlords/Agents should be aware that property checks will no longer be needed by local authority enforcement officers before being taken to Court by a tenant.

‘Matters’ refers to: Repair; Stability; Freedom from damp; Internal arrangement; Natural lighting; Facilities for preparation and cooking of food; Water supply; Drainage and sanitary conveniences; Ventilation; and facilities for the disposal of wastewater. NB: The Homes Act adds to this list ‘any prescribed hazard.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO Letting agents and landlords should be aware that through an implied covenant, the Act places responsibility on them to ensure that the property is fit for human habitation before the tenancy commences and for its duration. NB: The implied covenant cannot be excluded from the tenancy agreement by contract, or to place any financial requirement on the tenant because of it.

Tenant-like manner It is not the responsibility of the landlord or agent to carry out works or repairs where unfitness has arisen from the tenant not using the home in a ‘tenant-like manner’.

Behaving in a tenant-like manner includes: unblocking sinks, toilets, and drains; Changing light bulbs and fuses; Keeping both the interior and exterior clean (including windows); Maintaining level boiler pressure by repressuring when necessary; Bleeding radiators; Changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; General garden maintenance, such as mowing the lawn and sweeping up leaves; Keeping windows free from condensation; and Ensuring the property is kept free from pests.