Montagues Property Management

Montagues Property Management is an independently owned company run by local specialists in their particular field. The company prides itself on its personal and professional service to both landlord and tenant.

All aspects of letting your property are explained and handled personally by our property management staff, who are available 24hrs a day. All negotiations are carried out with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. Our expertise and experience within the industry are beyond reproach.

The comprehensive and efficient approach we apply to each individual case guarantees the smooth and trouble free management of your property.

The Epping branch of Montagues Property Management has been established for a number of years and continues to be run by a bright, enthusiastic and competent team. The demand for rental property continues to increase each week with considerable lettings taking place on a daily basis.

We offer a number of services ranging from a straight introductory let right through to a full management contract. Our property management staff will advise you on the appropriate level of service to suit your individual needs.

Why should you let your property?

There are numerous reasons why people decide to let their properties and here are some of the advantages they gain by doing so:

1. Whether you have acquired a property for investment purposes, going abroad temporarily or permanently or trapped with negative equity, then letting your property will not only generate an income but safe guard your property against squatters and damage

2. All tenants are subject to a full and very stringent vetting service and shall only be moved in subject to the landlord’s approval. (Montagues presently use a referencing company who specialise in this particular field)

3. With the recent changes to the housing act 1988 it is now possible to agree short or long term lets with no minimum period (MPM would recommend a six - twelve month let as standard) depending on the landlords requirements

4. Rental payments deposited directly into landlord’s account

5. Regular property inspections carried out a letter of confirmation sent to landlord

6. An emergency 24hr telephone number

7. Contact mobile telephone numbers for all our members of staff

Once you have decided you would like to let your property

The first step is to contact Montagues Property Management to arrange a convenient date and time to meet at the property. We will discuss and advise you on the appropriate service to suit your individual needs, and on receipt of your formal approval and instructions we will:

1. Agree an individual marketing strategy for your property. (i.e. Furnished, Unfurnished or partly furnished, price per calendar month, available dates etc)

2. Immediately advise existing suitable tenants that your property is available; advertise your property in local newspaper on a weekly basis. (we would recommend your property be first offered four weeks before it comes available

3. Accompany prospective tenants when they wish to view the property (if possible a set of keys should be made available in order for tenants to view during working hours)

4. When a suitable tenant is found they will be required to fill out a Homelet reference form. This will ask for bank, employment, present and previous addresses for the past three years. Homelet will then carry out the necessary checks. This service also includes a rent guarantee service at no extra cost to the landlord.. Please ask a member of staff for more information.

5. Once a date for occupation has been agreed the necessary legal lettings agreement, including all associated legal notices will be prepared

6. Collect one month’s rent in advance and hold a damage deposit (minimum of one months rent). The damage deposit will be returned to the tenant at the end of the let subject to the property being left in a clean and satisfactory condition

7. Prepare an invoice for the months rent and send a confirmation letter to the landlord advising them of any meter readings taken on the day of occupation and send copies of all Tenancy agreements and associated notices. This will be accompanied with the first payment of rent

Montagues Property Management - SCALE OF FEES

1. STRAIGHT LETTING SERVICE: Where no management is to be undertaken by us, a fee, equivalent of two weeks of the monthly rental income will be charged and deducted from the initial months invoiced rent and damage deposit

2. FULL MANAGEMENT SERVICE: Where this service is required, a 12% fee of the gross monthly rental income will be due. This will be charged on a monthly basis NB. MPM reserve the right to charge a percentage of the full management fee in advance

3. RE-LETTING CHARGES: As (1) and (2) above

4. INSPECTIONS: Regular inspections are carried out during the period of letting to insure the premises are being properly maintained. If you require additional inspections during the period there will be an additional charge of £pound;25.00 per inspection

5. SELLING: IF ANY TENANT ENTERS INTO A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY A FEE OF 1.5% OF AN AGREED PRICE WILL BECOME PAYABLE ON COMPLETION TO US (THE AGENT).

Full Management Service

The following is a list of the service MPM agrees to perform as part of the full management service offered after the tenancy has commenced: -

1. Collection of monthly rent and crediting direct to yourselves, or your bank on a monthly basis

2. Confirm the electricity and gas board and British Telecom have been informed of the new occupier, however legally this must still be confirmed by the landlord and tenant

3. Inspect the property on a regular basis and send a letter of confirmation to the landlord

4. Arrange for tenants to take up residence and also arrange for vacation of the premises at the end of the let

5. Full inventory checks upon occupation / vacation (see separate page for inventories) where requested

6. Advise the landlord of any necessary repairs prior to instructing the work to be carried out. In the event of an emergency, repairs shall be immediately authorised up to approximately £200.00

7. Where the property is to be re-let following the end of a tenancy we shall endeavour to have a new tenant moving into the property as the old tenant vacates