In London and its surrounding areas renting has become the tenure of choice for many – in fact, private renting is now the biggest housing tenure in the capital. With this in mind, property experts like Owl Search are on call to help the expanding rental market run as smoothly as it can.
We don’t only help landlords to let their properties; we are also there to aid tenants in finding their perfect home.
To help landlords and tenants meet their requirements, we use our expert local knowledge to match people to the right properties. That might be letting a home to a family with specific demands or identifying a rental home that is nearby to a school rated as outstanding.
It’s vitally important, as the rental market continues to grow, that landlords and tenants work closely with knowledgeable local letting agents that offer a broad scope of tailored services. We make sure that all-important processes such as tenant referencing, deposit management and inventory check-ins and check-outs are carried out professionally, while we're also on-hand to help landlords comply with government schemes like Right to Rent.
In recent years, the Private Rented Sector has become vastly more regulated and this only looks set to increase. That's why it is crucial that landlords partner with a local letting agency which is up to date with all the latest legislation. There are substantial fines and penalties for non-compliance and there is an increased chance that landlords who self-manage could be caught out.
What's more, the rental sector is changing. More tenants are renting for longer and view their rental property as their long-term home. Landlords must adapt to this shift and cater their properties to changing tenant expectations. This is where the advice of a letting agent, who is in tune with the needs of the local market, could be invaluable.
Corporate lettings
To get the most from letting a property, you’ll want it to be seen by the widest range of prospective tenants possible, which is why we also offer our clients a corporate lettings service. We look to place professional tenants in appropriate rental homes, working closely with a large number of embassies, blue-chip companies and recruitment firms to make this achievable.
There is always exceptionally high demand for corporate lettings in Central London. In Borehamwood and the surrounding areas, too, demand for this type service is increasing fast. Nearby Elstree (famed for its TV and film studios) is a major employment hub, while Borehamwood and its environs are very popular with commuters who work in London.
Other areas that we cover, within London and its surrounding areas, such as Park Royal and Stanmore, are also very popular with tenants who commute thanks to their fantastic transport links and proximity to the capital.
For many reasons corporate lettings are becoming more and more popular with landlords. You can offer homes to a steady stream of professional tenants safe in the knowledge that the rent is often paid by their employer or organisation. This is highly likely to lower the chances of late payments and arrears as you will know the rent is coming from a reputable company.
The majority of professional tenants will also be used to renting which could reduce the chances of complications occurring during the tenancy and maximise the chance of them treating your property as their own.
The steady stream of tenants provided by companies through corporate lets can be highly effective in reducing void periods - as one employee moves on, another is needed to replace them and the cycle continues.
As business activity and industry in the London and Hertfordshire areas we operate in continues to grow, now is the right time to get involved in the corporate lettings market which can provide you with a stable and lucrative income.
Property management
We have years of experience in successfully helping landlords to let out their properties, using our knowledge and understanding of the rental market across London and Hertfordshire to enable you to set the right price and arrange your property in the correct manner. This, in turn, will enable you to reduce voice periods and experience strong, consistent rental returns.
As part of our fully managed service, our property managers will look after every part of your rental home, including maintenance and inspections. We also help landlords to find suitable tenants, organise referencing and deposits, set up the tenancy and collect rent.
Once you have let a property, you’ll need to consider the ongoing management processes such as:
- Fire safety
- Electrical safety
- Mid-term inspections
- Tenancy renewals
- Property maintenance
- Property licensing
Owl Search can help you to get everything done, reducing the pressure and reminding you of all your obligations. Allowing us to professionally manage your property can be hugely beneficial for you and your tenants.
If you take the hands-off approach you can sit back and watch your investment grow without the hassle associated with managing a rental property. We’ll make sure your entire property portfolio is in safe hands with our team of lettings professionals offering a reliable, first-class service.
Property maintenance
Keeping on top of maintenance is very important when it comes to letting a property to tenants. Landlords and tenants will want to know they can find a speedy solution should anything go wrong, so that’s why we offer a 24/7 property maintenance service, to deal with any issues day and night. Our expert property maintenance team will handle all issues and repair jobs, including cleaning, electrical work, plumbing, decorating and more. Our maintenance professionals examine the problem, report on what needs doing and then conduct the necessary works, all for very competitive rates.
Property maintenance can cause one of the biggest issues between landlords and tenants so it can be hugely productive to have a professional middle party to manage the relationship.
Moreover, tackling property maintenance issues quickly and effectively could be vital to the future of your property. If you deal with a problem early, you reduce the chances of it getting worse and costing you more time and money in the long-run. Working with professional contractors, who carry out maintenance jobs to the highest standard, could also stop property problems from reoccurring. Maintenance can be a minefield and landlords need to work with people they can trust – particularly in urgent situations where a speedy resolution is required. Our maintenance team will make sure that your maintenance is carried out by the best local contractors for a fair price.
