Landlords have to abide by the Equalities Act 2010, which covers various discriminations, including disability. As a landlord you should agree to the tenant making minor adjustments to the property where necessary. For example, visual door alarm instead of a bell, handrails and special arrangements for rubbish storage etc. If you agree to the tenant carrying our works on your property to accommodate any special needs, it would be perfectly within your right to request the tenant to return the property in the same condition as it was at the start of tenancy at his or her own expense.  Although you can choose to not accept a tenant who is not in employment as they will not pass referencing (this is not discrimination), but you cannot refuse to accept a tenant due to receiving Disability Benefit (so long as the tenant meets all the other requirements). Otherwise this would be discrimination because of the tenant’s disability, i.e. he is unable to work due to the disability.

Unless you are selling and replacing your main residence, the purchase of a property in addition to your main residence is likely to be liable for the 3% stamp duty surcharge. For help calculating the amount of stamp duty which you might owe on residential properties use our stamp duty calculator. 

The landlord is responsible for insuring the rented property to cover the building and any furniture that it comes with. As a tenant, we'd strongly recommend that you take out contents insurance to insure your own possessions. Your possessions won't be covered by the landlord's insurance if you suffer a break in or other loss or damage. As a tenant you should arrange tenant's content insurance.

We can take on the management of your property if you already have an on-going tenancy, whether you have found the tenants or instructed another agent to do so. We often assist landlords with the transition of moving from their current management company to our service.

We ensure our panel of contractors are appropriately qualified and insured to carry out the works they are instructed to do. However, if you have a preferred contractor, as long as they are suitably qualified and insured we are happy to add them to your client file.

Yes. Many of our clients are overseas landlords. We successfully manage more than 100 properties London-wide.

Yes, as a tenant, you are legally required to pay rent until the end of the tenancy agreement or any release clause agreed. A tenancy agreement is signed by both tenant and landlord and it is legally binding. As the tenant you need to read it carefully as the duration of the tenancy is stated (the minimum length of time you agree to rent for), how much rent to pay, tenant responsibilities, tenant rights and landlord responsibilities. In other circumstances, your landlord may agree to end the tenancy earlier, but will expect you cover the costs and financial losses incurred.

It is not mandatory, but a surprising number of buyer enquiries come from people who have seen a ‘for sale’ sign on a property, so it can definitely help to raise the profile of your property. We will check to ensure that we are permitted to display a board in your grounds or on your building.

You should insure the property and the contents that are included within the tenancy agreement. Your tenants are responsible for insuring their own possessions. Make sure your insurance covers you as a landlord, and carries Public Liability Insurance. Standard household or contents cover will not usually do this.

It is worth noting that tenants often feel more at home when the owner is not present on viewings. If your letting agent is accompanying all viewings and they have access to your property, then you do not need to attend. 

No. The management of a property is instructed by the landlord.

The tenant is usually responsible for bills such as gas, electricity and water, as well as council tax and the TV licence. Details of bills to be paid for by the tenant will be listed in the tenancy agreement. It is important to note that many tenants are not aware that their TV licence doesn't automatically move with them when they move from property to property - you can do this via www.tvlicensing.co.uk If a tenant doesn't notify TV Licensing of the new address, the tenant could end up being unlicensed in the new property. Anyone who watches TV or streams live broadcasts on a PC , laptop, tablet or phone, without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. It's worthwhile checking the tenancy agreement details.

All of the above is included within the standard management fee. All you have to do is authorise the provider to liaise with us on your behalf and we will assist where possible.

A tenant must use a rented property solely for residential purposes. A tenant must not run a business of any kind or you may put the landlord in breach of local bye laws.

Where there is more than one tenant renting a property, this phrase will appear in the tenancy agreement. It means that all tenants take responsibility for their obligations, both individually and together. All tenants are, as a group, responsible for making sure the rules of the tenancy agreement are adhered to. For example, if one tenant fails to pay the rent, the other tenants are legally responsible for the shortfall in rent.

First impressions count and making your property look its best could be the difference between selling your property and losing a potential buyer. It is important to: Think like a buyer - cast a critical eye over your property and identify areas that require improvement Reduce clutter and decorate neutrally - keep rooms clean and tidy, this will help a buyer to fully visualise the space Keep it light - clean the windows and open all the curtains to encourage natural light into your property Consider the exterior – buyers will often walk or drive past first, so fresh paintwork and well cared for outside spaces make a great first impression For more information, see our guide to preparing your property for viewings.

There are many types of home mortgages available, at many different rates. A mortgage consultant can help find the right mortgage for you and will guide you through the application process. We have mortgage consultants across London with contacts in many of the UK’s mortgage lenders.  Typically we charge a fee of £499, however, this will be subject to your individual circumstances but will never exceed 0.5% of the loan. We will also receive commission from the lender. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. For more information, contact our mortgage consultants.

Letting a property can be a good investment but there are a few things to look out for. Our letting agents will find the tenants, advise you on the best rent for the area and manage the tenancy agreement paperwork. Our letting agents will keep you informed of any prospective tenants who are interested in your property, arrange viewings on your behalf and give you feedback on what they think of the property. We also advertise your property on websites, in branches and in press, making sure it receives the best exposure possible. We can organise the referencing of your tenant through an independent referencing company who will provide you with a report on the tenant’s suitability, but the final decision is of course yours.

This will be as agreed in your tenancy contract. At Matthew Estates, we usually collect the rent on behalf of the landlord via direct debit. This needs to be from one bank account only, so if you are sharing a property with more than one person, you may wish to set up a household account in all your names.

At Matthew Estates, we have a dedicated tenancy renewals team who will contact both you and your landlord, usually three months before the end of the tenancy, to find out your next steps. Any new tenancy contract will be subject to you agreeing new terms with your landlord.

You need to do this in line with your tenancy agreement you will have signed an agreement for a fixed term and you can leave at the end of that term, as long as you let your landlord know in writing beforehand. If you have agreed a break clause in the fixed term agreement and want to use this, then you need to comply with those terms. We advise, referring to your tenancy contract. If you go over the fixed term, you will need to give your landlord at least one calendar months written notice, but this could be longer, depending on the terms of your tenancy agreement or the frequency the rent is paid.

Usually four weeks, but this can be negotiated with the buyer’s solicitors.

A tenancy deposit offers the landlord peace of mind, that when the tenancy ends you will leave the property in good condition and you will have acted in line with the tenancy conditions. It is usually equivalent to six weeks At Matthew Estates we protect tenant deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), which is run by The Dispute Service Ltd. This is one of the Government approved schemes and you can find more details on www.tds.gb.com.However, sometimes a landlord will wish to take responsibility for protecting your deposit with this scheme or one of the others.

Our management service includes a visit to the property twice a year, should you require further inspections, and we can arrange this for an additional charge. Following the visit we will send you a comprehensive report on our findings which includes colour photographs and recommendations. If your property is a licensed HMO then these visits will need to be quarterly and will incur an additional charge.

No. As tenants you should act together, so the tenancy does not end until you all give the landlord back vacant possession of the property, under terms set out in the tenancy agreement – your landlord does not have to agree to alter these terms. Even if your landlord does agree that you can leave and find someone to take your place, it is not as easy as just changing a name on the existing tenancy agreement. The new tenant will need to be referenced, have new tenancy contracts signed by everyone staying on, the deposit paid and re-protected, and a new inventory will have to carried out. Your landlord will probably expect you to cover these costs, at least.

If you are thinking of letting your property, then you need to make sure you have all the necessary consents first. You need the permission of your lender (if you have a mortgage or loan), your freeholder (if the property is leasehold) and your insurer (as you may need a lettings specific policy). A mortgage lender or freeholder might impose conditions before giving you permission to let your property. Not complying with these conditions could lead to repossession of the property.  You should also check with the local authority if your tenancy will make the property a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or if you need any planning permission.

Some landlords will accept smoking outside the rented property but not inside. Other landlords insist that their rented property is only let to non-smokers. The tenant obligations are detailed in the tenancy agreement which is the legal document that sets out everything about the tenancy, the terms and landlord and tenant obligations. If in doubt, just ask your letting agent to clarify the landlord’s no smoking policy.

An open day is when a property is marketed through viewings and buyers are invited to view the home in one day rather than spread out over a few weeks.  It usually allows you to sell your property more quickly with interested buyers submitting their offers via sealed bid and the best offer wins.

There are different ways to obtain a property valuation. If you are selling a property, we will not charge you to estimate a market value of your property. If you are buying a property and require a mortgage, your mortgage lender will carry out a mortgage valuation. This is a basic survey of a property to assess its value and suitability for a mortgage. Mortgage lenders will insist on a property valuation before a loan is advanced. Additionally, when you are buying a property you may want to carry out a more in depth valuation and instruct surveyors to complete a homebuyer’s report or building survey. Our chartered surveyors follow strict guidelines set down by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for all their survey and property valuation work.

Your main legal obligations are to:  Look after the property - to keep the exterior of the property in good condition, making sure you maintain the roof, drains and gutters. Make sure services are available - it is a landlord’s obligation to make sure that the property is supplied with services like gas, electricity, water, sanitation and heating. Leave your tenants in peace - a 'covenant of quiet enjoyment' is part of most tenancy agreements. It means a landlord must not interfere with the tenants. For example, you cannot: - Enter the rented property without their consent, except in an emergency - Do anything that affects the tenant’s rights, e.g. cut off services to force a tenant to leave

Tenants and landlords both have rights and obligations. Some are set out explicitly in the tenancy agreement. The main things to be aware of are property repairs, use of the property and giving property access to the landlord.  Property repairsA tenant must use the property in what’s called “a tenant like manner” meaning that the tenant will be responsible for any property repairs that are the fault of the tenant. The tenant is normally responsible for the interior condition of the property, but the tenancy agreement should be checked first as some landlords don’t allow tenants to redecorate. Tenants must pay for anything that is broken or damaged in the property during the tenancy. If the tenant does not pay for this at the time the landlord can deduct the cost from the tenancy deposit. Use of the propertyA tenant must use the property solely for residential purposes, not to run a business of any kind, as this may put the landlord in breach of local bye laws.   Property access for the landlordThe landlord will need to visit from time to time to carry out repairs and safety checks, and to check that the building is in good condition. A tenant must allow the landlord property access but the landlord should always let the tenants know first. The landlord will have a set of keys to the property but they should never use these without the tenant’s consent, except in an emergency. 

There are a number of safety regulations that govern the letting of residential property to which landlords must comply. The penalties for failing to do so are severe and could result in heavy fines and/or imprisonment. As your letting agent, we can advise you of your obligations, the implications of the safety regulations and to assist you in ensuring you are fully compliant. To find out more information on what is required of you as a landlord, see our guide on the rights and responsibilities of Landlords.

All tenants living in properties managed by Matthew Estates have access to an out of hours’ contractor in the case of an emergency.

When you buy a flat, the lease on the property comes with a share of ownership of the building. Leaseholders in a block with several properties often choose to buy the freehold between them and so share of freehold gives them more control over the management of the property.

Once you have found the right property and before you can move in, there are a few costs to take into account to secure a rental property: view Matthew Estates tenant fees.

An open day is when a property is marketed through viewings and buyers are invited to view the home in one day rather than spread out over a few weeks. As you will only have a short time to view the property, it is very important to do your homework on the property and the area before the viewing. Study the floor plan, walk around the area and consult your mortgage broker beforehand. Use the viewing to ensure the home is to your liking whilst looking for any defects, as usually, there is not time for a second viewing before you submit best and final offers.

A residential property lease is a legal document the freeholder of the property or building issues, which grants tenure for a given period of time (the length of the lease) to the leaseholder. It sets out the insurance and repair obligations of both the freeholder and the leaseholder.

A sealed bid is a method often used by people wishing to sell a property where high levels of interest are either anticipated or already being achieved to find buyers who are committed and willing to exchange quickly at the best price. For more information on a sealed bid, read our post on the London property market blog.

When you buy a property that is termed ‘leasehold’, part of the service charge may be paid into a sinking fund. The sinking fund builds up over the years to cover future projects that may be needed to repair or improve the building. The freeholder or the property management company will be responsible for the service charge management and will notify leaseholders if part of the service charge will be paid into a sinking fund.

Any monetary deposit paid by your tenant for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) must be protected by a recognised tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of the tenant making payment. Certain documents must also be served within that time. We are members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) run by The Dispute Service Ltd and we can protect the deposit on your behalf for an administration fee.

Any property advertised for letting must have an EPC or energy performance certificate.  An EPC demonstrates the energy rating and efficiency of a property. It gives landlords and tenants information on how energy efficient the property is and gives a standard energy and carbon emissions rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient. From April 2018 the energy efficiency rating of the property must be between A - E for any new let or renewal. From April 2020 all privately rented properties must comply with this standard. 

Ground rent is the rent you pay for the land the property is standing on, whether your property is freehold or leasehold. Ground rent is normally paid every year or six months, along with the property service charge.

A property for sale requires a number of legal documents to be produced, including:  Property title deeds Local authority searches Draft contract to the buyer Leasehold document For more information, contact our Conveyancing.

You will need to provide proof of your identity and current address. Proof of ID usually in the form of a current passport or photo driving licence. Proof of address will include utility bills or bank statements dated within the last three months (we can supply you with a list of suitable documents). All documents must be originals

You should not enter into a legally binding contract unless you can fulfil its terms including the length of the tenancy. In general, you can only end the tenancy early if your landlord agrees. Your landlord does not necessarily have to do so. You will remain responsible for paying the rent until the end of the tenancy contract or the next break clause point. However, if your landlord agree to re-market the property before this, then once a new tenant is found your liability to the rental payment will be reduced pro rata. You will be asked to cover any of the landlord's financial loss as a result ending the tenancy early. This may include the landlord letting fees (which he cannot recover) and any other landlord expenses associated with the re-letting. If you are unsure, talk to Matthew Estates letting agent or your landlord before making any plans.

The landlord will need to visit the rented property from time to time to complete repairs and safety checks, and to check that the rented property is in good condition. A tenant must allow a landlord property access. A landlord is required to let a tenant know in advance of a visit to the property. The landlord will have a set of keys to the property, but they should never use these without the tenant’s consent, except in an emergency.

At Matthew Estates, we instruct a professional independent referencing agency on behalf of our landlords to carry out reference checks on all potential tenants and guarantors. The referencing agency will require you (and your guarantor if applicable) to complete an online application form. The agency, will check your credit history, employer and previous landlord references. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide audited accounts covering a period of 12 months. The referencing agency will then use this information to establish if you qualify for the tenancy.

The contract is a written and signed agreement between the buyer and seller. The first contract prepared by your property solicitor should have the following details confirmed: The price you are paying for your property The deposit amount The address and description of the property What is included in the sale price (e.g. carpets/white goods) of your home Covenants i.e. what you are required to do as the property owner Check that these items are correct and ask your property solicitor if you have any doubts.

For advice on your current mortgage you should contact a mortgage consultant. Typically we charge a fee of £499, however, this will be subject to your individual circumstances but will never exceed 0.5% of the loan. We will also receive commission from the lender. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Usually the inventory clerk will take these from you at the time of the inventory check-out which generally takes place on the last day of the tenancy. If there is no inventory check, unless specific instructions are given by your landlord, keys should be taken to your local Matthew Estates branch on the last day of the tenancy. Please ensure all sets are returned, a receipt is obtained.

You could lose the property you are renting. When you sign your tenancy agreement, you are entering into a legally bidding contract with your landlord, agreeing to pay the agreed amount of rent and on specific days. If you fail to make payments, you will be in breach of these terms. Your landlord may be able to serve notice asking you to move out on or after a particular date, or if you are more than two months’ in arrears the landlord may apply straight to the county court and request an order of possession of their property.

Once the inventory checkout has been completed you will need to agree with your landlord whether any deductions should be made from your deposit. Once we have written confirmation from you and the landlord agreeing the amount (if any), we will arrange for the payments to be made. This should be sent to you within 10 days of us receiving the final confirmation.

A tenant deposit is usually the equivalent of six weeks’ rent and it guarantees to the landlord that when you move out, the rented property will be left in good condition.  We use an independent inventory company in the majority of the rented properties we let to make absolutely sure that when tenancies come to an end there is no disagreement and that the process is fair. The Housing Act 2004 makes provision for both the protection and return of a tenant’s deposit and the resolution of disputes over the return. We have chosen to join The Tenancy Deposit Scheme which is an insured option and every tenancy where we hold the deposit, will have the deposit protected by the scheme.

It is worth knowing the different ways you can use estate agencies to market your property. You can find out more information on selecting and appointing an estate agent in our guide.

If you are paying by direct debit, the rent will be deducted on the day you have agreed with your landlord as a term of the tenancy contract.If this day falls on a weekend or on a bank holiday, then it will be the next working day.

We endeavour to make buying your first home as simple as possible. An introduction to the property buying process, including conveyancing and mortgages, can be found in our guides. Typically we charge a fee of £499, however, this will be subject to your individual circumstances but will never exceed 0.5% of the loan. We will also receive commission from the lender. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.