Fine & Country Brighton and Hove

Lettings Fees for Landlords and Tenants

LANDLORD FEES

Remember not all agents are the same – please remember to compare expertise and knowledge – not just fees when selecting your agent of choice. We provide 3 main types of service to all our landlords although a bespoke service can be offered if you have any special requirements.
 

FULL MANAGEMENT SERVICE

Fee: 14.4% inclusive of VAT 12% plus VAT
In addition to the Part Managed Service as detailed below this includes:
 

• Arranging utility providers with meter readings when available and notifying each one and the council of the transfer of service contracts to the new tenant at the start of each tenancy.
• 6 monthly visits to the property to ensure the tenant is taking care of the property and when appropriate providing you with a written report about issues arising from our visit.
• Arranging Landlord Gas Safety Inspections to be carried out annually during the tenancy, and for a Certificate to be provided.
• Monitor and, should you the tenant wish, arrange tenancy renewals for further fixed terms.
• Arranging an inventory check out at the end of the tenancy and dealing with matters relating to wear and tear before arranging for the release of the tenant’s security deposit.
•  Ongoing property maintenance (property management).
   

PART MANAGED

Fee: 12% inclusive of VAT 10% plus VAT
Our part managed service includes all the benefits of our tenant introduction
service (below) and in addition, Sawyer & Co Property Management will:

• Arrange for collection of rent in accordance with the terms of the tenancy agreement.
  Prepare and submit a regular Statement of Account to the landlord and/or the landlords accountant.   
• Transfer the net monies to the landlord.
• At the end of the tenancy, we will arrange for the inventory to be checked by the inventory clerk and for a schedule of dilapidation (if any) to be prepared.

A copy of this is normally sent to both landlord and tenant for subsequent approval before a tenant’s deposit can be returned.

• Issuing relevant notices (upon your instructions) including the notice to quit occupancy.
• Working with your solicitor in the unlikely event that eviction proceedings are necessary of that rent arrears have to be pursued through the court system. We are able to arrange Rent Guarantee and Legal Expenses Insurance to protect you against the eventuality.

TENANT INTRODUCTION

3.6 weeks rent (3 weeks rent plus VAT)
Subject to a minimum of £900 (£750 plus VAT)
This service includes the following:

• Production and distribution of promotional materials to include photographs and a floorplan.
• Organising where appropriate an initial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Gas Safety Certificate and other legally required certification*
• Provision of a To Let Board.
• Promotion of your property on Rightmove, Zoopla, Boom and OnTheMarket as well as our own website, fineandcountry.com
• Accompanied viewing service.
• Completion of comprehensive credit and income checks on prospective tenants, for which we employ a third-party specialist.
• Collection of appropriate deposit, which is lodged in our client account and protected by the Client Money Protection Scheme.
• Registration of the deposit with TDS (The Dispute Scheme) in accordance with current
  legislation* 
• Collection of the first month’s rent. We arrange for subsequent payments to be paid directly to you.
• Production of an appropriate tenancy agreement and associated documentation.
• Arrange an inventory & Schedule of Condition (signed by the tenant) for you to use as the basis for comparison when the tenant vacates*

*Requires additional fee to a 3^rd party

ADDITONAL FEES 

• Energy Performance Certificate from £60.00 (Inc VAT) £50.00 plus VAT
• Gas Safety Certificate from £66.00 (Inc VAT) £55.00 plus VAT
• Inventory and Schedule of Condition from £54.00 (Inc VAT) £45.00 plus VAT
• Extended Rental Agreement £240.00 (Inc VAT) £200.00 plus VAT for Tenant intro

Services or £96 (inc vat) £80 plus VAT for Part managed Service

• Remarketing Fee £234.00 (Inc VAT) £195.00 plus VAT
• Extra Property Inspections £60.00 (Inc VAT) £50.00 plus VAT
• Organisation of an end of tenancy check out £60 (inc VAT) £50 plus vat – Price dependent on property size and furnished or unfurnished status.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) £144 (inc VAT) £120 plus vat.

            
TENANT FEES SCHEDULE

NEW ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCIES (ASTs) SIGNED ON OR AFTER 1 JUNE 2019

Holding Deposit (per tenancy) – One week’s rent.
This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing). 

Security Deposit (per tenancy). Rent under £50,000 per year) - Five week’s rent. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent of £50,000 or over per year) – Six week’s rent. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.  

Unpaid Rent 
Interest at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.

Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s)
Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord and any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant.  If extra costs are incurred there will be a charge of £15 per hour (inc.VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).

Variation of Contract (Tenant’s Request) - £50 (inc.VAT) per agreed variation. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

Change of Sharer (Tenant’s Request) - £50 (inc.VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher.
To cover the costs associated with talking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

Early Termination (Tenant’s Request)
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.

Fine & Country, Brighton & Hove: Client Money Protection (CMP) is provided by Independent Redress is provided by The Property Ombudsman.