Landlord Process


1Accurate valuation

The achievable rental value of your property is determined by many factors including location, number of bedrooms, local services and amenities, the cosmetic appearance and overall condition of the property. Rochester Place will advise you on a realistic rental value taking all of these factors into consideration together with the current state of the local market. The aim is always to let your property at the best possible price to quality tenants in the shortest time possible. We are extremely knowledgeable about the London property market and conduct many valuations every month giving us an intimate and unparalleled knowledge of property values.

2Consider Property Management

Looking after a rented property is easy when you have responsible tenants and you live locally. However, if anything does go wrong, from a boiler breaking down to a tenant losing their job it can get very stressful, time consuming and expensive. There is a mountain of legal obligations, with seemingly more forms to complete every day. Let us take the strain and manage your property for you. We can ensure that you’re protected in every way and we’ll work hard to make sure you’re not out of pocket financially. We’re proud of our knowledge of the industry and will always act in your best interests at all times.

3Preparing your property

Presentation plays a factor to a quick successful let. Consider doing any maintenance/decoration works before marketing your property. Decide whether to let your property furnished or unfurnished. Furnished properties will give a better visual impression to the prospective tenants on how the property will look, making it more likely to rent quicker. If the quality of the furniture warrants it, you can charge a premium rental price than if it was unfurnished. Flexibility will broaden the appeal of the property to prospective tenants as individual requirements vary. We recommend that the landlord provides white goods as a minimum (washing machine, cooker and fridge freezer) if letting the property unfurnished.

4Marketing your property

Rochester Place vigorously market all our available properties across a wide variety of mediums including Rightmove, Zoopla and many other property portals as well as social media. We display your properties on these websites as well as with in our shop window. We have many highly visible, strategically placed ‘To Let’ boards in the area. Your property will receive maximum exposure using a combination of these methods backed up by daily contact with pre-vetted potential tenants from our database. We aim to minimise any void periods and to maximise the return on your investment. We will provide you with regular feedback during marketing and viewings

5Receiving an offer

Once we receive an offer, we will relay this information to you, together with detailed information on the potential tenants and their requirements (if any). As the Landlord, you have the final say as to whether you wish to proceed and accept their offer and start with referencing checks.

6Offer agreed

Once an offer is agreed subject to contract and references, we will ask for a holding deposit from the prospective tenant, and commence referencing and Right to Rent check.

7References checked

All tenants will undergo thorough background checks. We use an independent reputable referencing company to report on their suitability and credit-worthiness, including their payment history on any previous lending and any adverse credit e.g. CCJ’s or bankruptcies. Their identity is also verified as is their right to live and work in the UK – We cover the Right to Rent checks including whether they are subject to any immigration control. Prospective tenants will also be required to demonstrate their financial ability to cover rent and living expenses by way of confirmation of employment, bank statements and payslips, we will also obtain a current or previous landlords reference This gives us the information we need to determine their suitability as a tenant for your property.

8Move In Monies taken and tenancy agreement signed

Once all referencing is completed, deemed satisfactory and you have approved, we then ask the tenants to pay their first months rent and security deposit. Upon receipt of cleared funds, we will arrange for the tenancy agreement to be drawn up and signed by all parties.

9Inventories

It is good practice to prepare a detailed inventory of your property. We can arrange for this to be carried out by an independent company. The inventory is very detailed with thorough reporting on the condition of the property, furnishing, fixtures and fittings with pictures.

10Move In Date

Prior to the actual date, we will inspect the property ensure the property is ready. We will contact the tenants and arrange for a time to collect keys and move in to their new home.