Services to Landlords

The consistency and professionalism in our lettings team, creative and dynamic innovation and proven, endorsed, quality customer service ensures that our philosophy of "going the extra mile" underpins everything we do.

We are well known within the local community for our professionalism and integrity and are established as a progressive company who achieve results for our customers. Our staff are perfectly placed to advise, both in the technicalities of the lettings market as well as possessing extensive local knowledge of the areas we cover throughout Brighton, Hove and Sussex.

By developing a multi-departmental, broad based service, our knowledge across the board in sales, lettings and block management enables us to offer a more comprehensive proposition to our customers.

Our offices are situated in prime high street locations throughout Brighton, Hove and Portslade, affording our clients maximum exposure for their properties. We offer properties for sale and to rent and property management across the whole of the Brighton and Hove area from Shoreham-by-sea to Peacehaven, with our Block/Estate Management department covering most of Sussex. We enjoy excellent footfall, with many clients visiting in person to undertake initial discussions and then to place their properties with us.

Our multi-departmental, broad based service and our knowledge across the board in sales, lettings and block management enables us to offer a more comprehensive service to our customers. Our vendors have a distinct advantage in that 'Buy to Let' investors are confident to purchase properties through us as they realise we have the knowledge to advise them in all matters affecting their proposed investment. Our knowledge in Block Management also helps us to progress sales because we fully understand leasehold/freehold issues. The cross over business from each department and our extensive knowledge of each boosts sales across the board.

Our high profile office locations in Brighton, Hove and Portslade heightens our brand awareness, attracting many tenants to us both in person and via our fully responsive website and the national property portals. This together with our innovative marketing campaigns and proactive approach ensures that our rental properties are never on the market for long.

Protection & peace of mind for our landlords and tenants is of the utmost importance to us. Our Awards & Professional Associations, gained as a result of our client centered approach, offer this. As a regulated member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) our clients are able to remain confident that their money is safe and secure and they are using an agent that complies with all the latest regulations. We are also a relocation agent, selected as the 'Best Independent Estate Agent' in our area by the UK's two leading relocation networks, Guild of Property Professionals and the Relocation Agent Network. Each network has strict criteria on who they choose to represent them and each network member has exclusivity in their area. As a member of the Property Ombudsman for lettings, sales and block management and a member of the Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association, our customers can be sure that we are respected agents who operate to the highest of professional standards, following the strict guidelines and codes of conduct of these bodies.

Presentation of our rental properties is crucial to their marketability so to present each property in the best possible way both on the national portals and web based media, we produce professionally designed details to promote the most attractive features and provide valuable information to buyers. To ensure that our properties stand out from the crowd, our attention to detail includes professional photography, concise text highlighting your property’s most salient points and high quality floor plans. Instantly marketed by text and email in addition to being placed on our Sawyer & Co. website and the national sites, each property is given the best chance of efficient rental at the best possible price.

By listening to our clients we have developed a comprehensive service within our lettings department that expedites the rental process and achieves maximum rental values. We have a wide range of services available from an introductory service for the more experienced landlord together with a rent collection service to a full management service for trouble free letting and complete peace of mind.

3.6 weeks rent (3 weeks rent plus vat) subject to a minimum of £900 (£750 plus VAT)

This package includes:

• 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 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 an appropriate deposit, which is logged in our client account and protected by the Client Money Protection Scheme
• Registration of the deposit with RDS (The Dispute Service) in accordance with the current legislation*
• Collection of the first month’s rent. We arrange for subsequent payments to be paid directly to you
• 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 paid to a third party

ADDITIONAL FEES

• Energy Performance Certificate from £54 (inc VAT) £34 plus VAT
• Gas Safety Certificate from £66 (inc VAT) £55 plus VAT
• Inventory and Schedule of Condition from £54 (in VAT) £45 plus VAT
• £240 (inc VAT) £200 plus VAT (Tenant Intro Service Only)
• Remarketing Fee £234 (inc VAT) £195 plus VAT
• Extra Property Inspections £60 (inc VAT) £50 plus VAT
• Check Out Fee

A straightforward service involving the marketing of the property until a suitable tenant is found. Once suitable tenants apply we then progress the process to carry out the following:

• Arrange an Energy Performance Certificate.*
• Carry out comprehensive and impartial referencing via an independent company.
• Arrange a full Inventory and Schedule of Condition.*
• Prepare the tenancy agreement.
• Collect one month's rent in advance together with a security deposit equal to one and a half months rent.
• Forward initial rent payment with full statement and copy of the Tenancy Agreement.
• Register the tenants deposit with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
• Monitor and arrange tenancy renewals for further fixed terms.*
• Issue Section 21 notices requiring possession when appropriate.*

Fee: 12% (inc VAT) 10% plus VAT

Our letting and rent collection service includes all the benefits of our tenant introduction service 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 or 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.

ADDITIONAL FEES

• Energy Performance Certificate from £54 (inc VAT) £34 plus VAT
• Gas Safety Certificate from £66 (inc VAT) £55 plus VAT
• Inventory and Schedule of Condition from £54 (in VAT) £45 plus VAT
• Extend Rental Agreement £96 (inc VAT) £80 plus VAT (Tenant Intro Service Only)
• Remarketing Fee £234 (inc VAT) £195 plus VAT
• Extra Property Inspections £60 (inc VAT) £50 plus VAT
• Check Out Fee

In addition to the service offered in the 'Introductory Service', the 'Rent Collection Service' also includes:

• Collection and payment of rent receipts using BACS.
• Forwarding a monthly statement via e-mail (post if preferred.)
• Submitting accounts to your accountant if requested.
• Issuing of Section 21 notice included in fee We will arrange the 'check out' of the tenant at the end of the tenancy with a full inventory and condition check*.

Fee: 14.4% (inc VAT) 12% plus VAT

In addition to the Letting and Rent Collection Service as detailed above, 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 and 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

ADDITIONAL FEES

• Energy Performance Certificate from £54 (inc VAT) £34 plus VAT
• Gas Safety Certificate from £66 (inc VAT) £55 plus VAT
• Inventory and Schedule of Condition from £54 (in VAT) £45 plus VAT
• Extend Rental Agreement £96 (inc VAT) £80 plus VAT (Tenant Intro Service Only)
• Remarketing Fee £234 (inc VAT) £195 plus VAT
• Extra Property Inspections £60 (inc VAT) £50 plus VAT
• Check Out Fee

In addition to the service offered in the 'Rent Collection Service' the 'Full Management Service' also includes:

• Arranging maintenance and repairs as necessary, including obtaining estimates and liaising with both contractors and the tenant on all matters.
• Carrying out quarterly inspections of the property and providing you with, when appropriate, a written report about issues arising from our visit.
• Gas & electrical safety inspections arranged and certificates supplied*
• Arranging for the utilities to be registered in the tenants name for the duration of the agreement together with taking meter readings.
• Processing the return of the tenant's deposit, less any charges for cleaning, replacement of items and outstanding rent.

*Additional charge applies

People come to live in the Brighton & Hove area from all over the country, but in particular from London and its suburbs. As members of the Guild of Property Professionals and The Relocation Agent Network we have connections in over 900 towns and cities across the UK, all capable of introducing tenants to our properties. Our association with Cartus, the world's largest relocation organisation, also provides international coverage. Often professionals and families relocating require rental accommodation for specific periods during satellite employment or to discover an area before they decide where to settle down thus exposure to this affluent market place is key.

Sawyer & Co are part of a Client Money Protection Scheme. Our Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme is a compensation scheme run by the Propertymark which provides compensation to landlords, tenants and other clients should an agent misappropriate their rent, deposit or other client funds.

Sawyer & Co’s Client Money Certificate.

Accountancy Rules

Sawyer & Co are part of The Property Ombudsman Scheme (TPOS). This scheme has been providing consumers and property agents with an alternative dispute resolution service since 1990.

The Ombudsman’s resolutions are designed to achieve a full and final settlement of the dispute and all claims made by either party. The Ombudsman can, where appropriate, make compensatory awards in individual cases up to a maximum of £25,000 for actual and quantifiable loss and/or for aggravation, distress and/or inconvenience caused by the actions of an agent.

You can learn more about TPOS here: www.tpos.co.uk

We understand the importance of financial security to landlords, however even the best tenants can fall on hard times due to unforeseen circumstances such as redundancy or long-term illness. To ensure peace of mind we offer a Rent Protection Scheme which will guarantee the rent for the term of the tenancy in addition to offering legal protection. Our associated insurance company can also offer Landlords Emergency Assistance, Buildings Insurance and Portfolio Insurance. To find out more about this please contact one of our friendly team of experts.

We always accompany prospective tenants to view our landlords' properties, fully prepared to be able to answer all questions they may have.

With increased leads coming from the internet and with today's technology enabling us to engage with people outside of office hours, we have implemented a structure to ensure efficient responses and availability for landlords and tenants. Sawyer & Co. has partnered with a range of ‘proptech’ firms to provide an enhanced and efficient customer journey, for example, every enquiry from the property portals such as Rightmove is responded to automatically and tracked to ensure that our staff members contact the customer quickly and respond to their needs. Customers can also contact us 24 hours a day using our website’s ‘Livechat’ service. We provide feedback within 24 hours, often out of office hours, all staff receiving work emails on mobile phones and remote logins to our work stations.

At Sawyer & Co. our lettings team consistently 'go the extra mile' not only for our landlords but for our tenants too, ensuring that their tenancy is as enjoyable as possible. Available during extended hours to deal with any issues that may arise we pride ourselves on building a solid professional relationship with our tenants, advising them on the local area, introducing them to relevant professionals where necessary and working hard to find the perfect property.

Presenting your property in its best possible light will attract a higher rent and the best quality tenants. If your property requires updating we can help. You can learn more about our Property Refurbishment Services here.

To have achieved our exceptional reputation in the local lettings market we realise our greatest asset is our staff. Energetic and ambitious, loyal and dedicated, they view estate agency as a rewarding career rather than just a job, sharing our vision and working hard to achieve it. Appreciating the needs of both landlords and tenants alike they aim to ensure an efficient, seamless process.

Most of our staff live in the area they serve or have even grown up there, imparting our company with a strong sense of community. Central to our success is the extensive local knowledge offered by our highly experienced and qualified lettings team, superbly placed to market every property with genuine understanding of its location and facilities.