Letting your property can be a complicated and time consuming process especially with new legislation affecting rental properties. Our trained staff offer the individual advice required to help you achieve the maximum rental possible for your property.

Why Walton Residential

Independent - We are an independent agent with sound experience of the residential lettings market in central London.

Rental Appraisals - We give honest and correct rental figures. We provide you with solid advice on how to maximise your rental income and on any improvements  to ensure your property remains up to date with current market conditions.

Website - We recognise of course the power of the internet for property searches. Our user friendly website provides essential information, professionally presented and updated daily to ensure immediate exposure of your property.

Tenant Contacts - We will use our database of international and national tenants, large city firms, tenancy management companies and relocation companies to find the right tenant for you

Information for Tenants - We provide our applicants with detailed information on the letting process and tenant responsibilities to avoid any future misunderstandings.

We keep you updated - We value our customers highly. We provide a personal service and regularly update you on viewings and feedback from applicants.

In-house Management - Administration, property management and client accounting, are allbased in our offices and you can speak to the person in charge. We do not operate a call centre and are available for queries during normal office hours.

Consents

Head Landlord - In cases where the property owned by a landlord, is subject to leasehold the requirements of the Lease in connection with sub-letting need to be checked. If consent is required the landlord must secure it and if our help is requested we reserve the right to levy an administration charge for doing so.

Mortgage Consent - If a property is subject to a mortgage the consent of the mortgagee (lender) is almost always required. The Landlord must obtain your Mortgagee's permission to sub-let  (if required).

Insurance - The Landlord must inform his insurers of any proposed lettings as an additional premium may apply for rented properties and the level of cover may be adjusted.

Furnished - Unfurnished

Walton Residential let properties furnished or unfurnished - the Landlord's legal rights are the same whatever option is taken. There is often no difference in rent achieved on furnished or unfurnished properties. Enquiries for unfurnished properties tend to be for larger flats or houses.

'Unfurnished' - includes carpets (or wooden floors), curtains, light fittings, kitchen (including appliances) and fitted bathrooms.

'Furnished' - means the property is ready to move into. The property should be presented in good order with no clutter. Should you require guidance on what to provide we have a detailed list available covering properties for varying sizes. Our interior design service can also assist with preparing property for sale or rental to achieve the best possible presentation.

Preparing your Property for Letting

Many things can be done to achieve the maximum value for the property and a quick and efficient letting. There are some key issues that can make the difference.

Décor - Fresh decorations in neutral and light colours will appeal to many potential tenants.

Keep the flat clean & clutter free - the property must be presented at its best at all times. Remove any clutter, personal belongings and ensure the flat is tidy. Re-direct the mail so it doesn't clutter the front entrance.

Complete all repairs - ensure all appliances including the boiler are serviced and instruction manuals are left in the flat for the Tenant. Complete any cosmetic work required straight away and not 'once a Tenant has been found'. Tenants want to see well-kept flats and will decide within minutes of entering whether a property is right or not.

Landlord Responsibilities in Law

Under common law, Landlords have a duty to ensure the safety of rented property and its contents to protect tenants, occupants, neighbours or the public from injury or damage

The following are statutory Safety Legislations applicable to rented properties, which must be adhered to by Landlords:

• Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1988
  
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
  
• Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended in 1993

Defence of Due Diligence - There are several penalties for non-compliance with the regulations, including fines and possible prison sentences. In the event of death, charges could extend to manslaughter. We therefore consider it imperative that Landlords ensure compliance.

Inventories, Insurances & Utilities

Inventories – We strongly recommend that a professional inventory is to be taken of the contents and condition of the property. A professional inventory is regarded as independent evidence in case of a dispute.

Insurances – It is usual for most Tenancy Agreements to make provision for the fact that the Landlord is obliged to insure both the contents of the property to their full value as well as the building (this is usually included in a service charge if the property is leasehold). The Landlord should make certain that all appropriate insurance is in place covering the full value of any loss during a tenancy. Many household insurance policies do not cover loss of rent, so the Landlord should check the cover is comprehensive.

Utilities – The Tenant is usually responsible for the payment of council tax, gas, electricity, water and telephone charges. Some service charges paid by the Landlord, will include heating and hot water, and this will be reflected in the rental figure achieved. Please note that for short lets all utilities except the telephone would normally be included in the rent.

Taxation Information for Landlords

The Finance Act 1995 and Taxation of Income from Land (Non-Resident) Regulations 1995

Both the Letting Agent (or Tenant where there is no Letting Agent) and the overseas Landlord are obliged and responsible to deduct tax from the rental income.

Letting Agents are required BY LAW to withhold tax from rental income until an approved number is received from the Inland Revenue. Each individual will require a separate Approved Number, so in the case of a couple jointly owning a property, even a husband and wife will need a separate approved number. The Letting Agent is required to:

• Register with the Inland Revenue details of ANY Landlord (and property) for whom the agent had received income during the year, along with details of the gross income for each.
• Account for and pay over quarterly, tax at the current rate on the net rent less allowable expenditure within 30 days of each quarter end for Overseas Landlords (i.e. non residents).
• Forward to the Inland Revenue an Annual Statement detailing income and expenditure and showing the payments made to the Inland Revenue on behalf of each Overseas Landlord by the 5th of July each year.
• Issue to the Landlord a certificate in a prescribed form stating the tax payable for the year according to the returns submitted by 5th of July each year.

The Landlord can apply for an Approval Number from the Inland Revenue whereby rental payments may be made to them without tax being deducted, subject to the submission of an Annual Statement of income and expenditure and the net tax liability to the Inland Revenue. ONLY Landlords can make the application. The Agent can only pay rent to the landlord gross to the landlord on receipt of a letter of exemption, detailing the approval number, direct from the Inland Revenue.

The Inland Revenue will impose the following conditions on the Landlord before issuing the Tax Exemption Certificate: 

• The Landlord's UK Tax liabilities must be up to date
• The Landlord agrees to fully comply with the requirements of Self-Assessment *
• Failure to comply with any of these conditions will result in the Inland Revenue withdrawing the exemption, following which Walton Residential will be instructed to commence withholding tax from the date of receipt of notice of withdrawal.

We can provide you with the necessary application form.

* Under Self-Assessment, taxpayers are required to calculate their own tax liability and submit figures to the Inland Revenue directly or via their tax adviser. The Inland Revenue can provide an information pack and guidance notes to assist you in this matter.

Letting Process

Register - Our fully trained negotiators need as much information from you as possible about your exact property requirements. This will ensure that we source your ideal home.
Please contact us by phone, e-mail or register online.

The Search - Once we have all your requirements we will compile a list of properties for you to view. You can preview photos of each flat and viewings can be arranged immediately or at a time and date suitable for you. Our negotiators will call you as soon as new property fitting your requirements comes onto the market.

Choosing a property - Once you have decided on a property our fully trained staff will negotiate between you and the Landlord to agree an acceptable rental figure. As soon as this has been agreed you must provide us with your referee details in order for us to obtain references, which have to be approved by the Landlord once received.

Administration - Once all terms are agreed we will draw up all necessary paperwork and the Tenancy Agreements for the Landlords' and the Tenants' signatures in order to form a legally binding contract.

Rent & Deposit - The rent is payable in advance and is due prior to the commencement date of the tenancy. The deposit is held in a designated client account and is held against loss or damage (except for wear and tear) which occurs during the tenancy.  It will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy, less any deductions to be agreed upon the inventory check-out report and a damage report (if any).

Inventory - A schedule of the Contents & Condition of the property is normally produced prior to the commencement date of the tenancy. This will form the basis of the inventory check-in. A copy will be provided to the Tenant and the Landlord.

Walton Residential: Property to rent Albert Bridge SW11, to rent Tower Bridge SE1, to rent Pimlico Road SW6, to rent Brompton Road SW1, to rent Fulham Road SW6, to rent Sloane Street SW3, to rent Chelsea Embankment SW8, to rent Chelsea Bridge SW8, to rent Kensington SW7, to rent Canary Wharf E14, to rent Kensington SW5, to rent Docklands E14, to rent Kings Road SW6, to rent Southwark SE1, to rent Wapping E1, to rent City Fringe EC2, to rent Clerkenwell EC1, to rent Tower Hill EC3 , to rent EC4, to rent Fulham SW10, to rent Belgravia SW1, to rent Knightsbridge SW1, to rent Pimlico SW1