Explaination of our Landlord Fees
Here’s a breakdown of our landlords fees. Please feel free to contact your local Michael Tuck Lettings branch should you have any questions or would like a rental valuation on your property.
VAT calculated at current rate of 20%, subject to charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Michael Tuck Letting's Full Management Service include?
Our Full Management Service includes marketing, tenant referencing, compliant tenancy documentation, deposit registration, rent collection, property inspections, maintenance coordination, check-out administration and ongoing support with changing lettings legislation.
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Do existing tenancy agreements need to be replaced?
Existing written tenancy agreements did not automatically need to be replaced when the Renters’ Rights Act came into force. However, most existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and the new legal rules apply regardless of the wording in the original agreement. Landlords must ensure that tenants have received all required government information.
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How can a landlord regain possession of a rental property?
Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions have been abolished. A landlord must now rely on an appropriate Section 8 possession ground and follow the correct notice and court procedure. Grounds include selling the property, occupation by the landlord or a close family member, serious rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and breaches of the tenancy agreement.
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Can a landlord refuse an applicant who receives benefits or has children?
Landlords and letting agents must not disadvantage applicants simply because they receive benefits or have children. Applicants can still be assessed using fair and consistent criteria such as affordability, references, credit history and Right to Rent requirements.
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Can a landlord ask for rent in advance?
Rent must not be requested or accepted before the tenancy agreement has been signed. Once the agreement has been signed, a landlord or agent can generally require no more than one month’s rent in advance, together with any permitted tenancy deposit.
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Can a landlord accept an offer above the advertised rent?
No. Rental properties must be advertised with a clear asking rent. Landlords and letting agents must not encourage rental bidding or accept an offer above the advertised amount.
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How often can a landlord increase the rent?
Rent can generally be increased only once in any 12-month period and cannot normally be increased during the first year of a new tenancy. The landlord must use the prescribed Form 4A and give the tenant at least two months’ notice. The proposed rent should reflect the property’s open-market rental value.
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Can a landlord refuse to allow pets?
Tenants are entitled to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must consider each request individually. Consent cannot be unreasonably refused. A refusal may be reasonable where, for example, a superior lease prohibits pets or the proposed animal would be unsuitable for the property.
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How much notice must a tenant give to leave?
A tenant can normally end an assured periodic tenancy by giving no more than two months’ notice. A shorter notice period may be included in the tenancy agreement or subsequently agreed in writing between the landlord and tenant.
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What is the minimum term of a tenancy agreement?
Most new private tenancies are now assured periodic tenancies and therefore do not have a fixed minimum term or contractual end date. The tenancy continues until the tenant gives the required notice or the landlord obtains possession using an appropriate legal ground. A tenant’s notice period cannot normally exceed two months.
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Do I need to be at home during viewings?
No. We will accompany all viewings, and, in our experience, buyers and tenants are more likely to provide us with constructive feedback when the owner isn’t present. We will always inform you in advance of all viewings and are happy to hold a spare key if it’s more convenient.
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How much does an Energy Performance Certificate cost?
A valid EPC is required prior to marketing property for both sale or rent and costs £120 (£100+VAT).
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How long will it take for my house to go to market?
We can normally launch your property to the market within 48 hours. Once we have received the go ahead, we will need to arrange a suitable time to visit your property to take measurements and photographs so we can prepare the listing. We will also need to undertake Anti-Money Laundering checks and you will need to complete our Terms and Conditions and a Property Information Questionnaire.