Solo Property Services

Landlord Services

Landlords' information pack

Click to download our Landlords' information pack.

What We Can Offer You

From a Buy-to-Let Consultancy service where we can discuss your plans to invest in the residential lettings market, whether a first time investor or experienced investor, and advise on what to purchase; to undertaking the legwork for you in locating and securing a property or properties with our Acquisition Service, to actually finding you tenants and, if required, managing tenancies for you (see below), we offer a truly comprehensive service to new or current landlords. Additionally, we offer Estate Agency Services ('Solo Property Sales') and can assist in obtaining Insurance Cover, Surveying and Building Services, Mortgages, Financial  and Legal Services, and more, through a number of professional contacts ('Other Services').

Letting Services

Initial Free, No Obligation, Consultation

Whichever service you think you might be interested in, we will be delighted to meet you at the property/ies in question to advise on the letting potential, prospective rents, property presentation, types of tenants, relevant legislation, our service options and all other aspects of the letting process, so that you can make your decision in an informed way. Alternatively, we can arrange to meet in our office or elsewhere to suit.

Tenancy Set Up Only

This involves us marketing your property with a view to finding suitable tenants and includes advertising - on our website, on all the major national property portals (including Rightmove, Findaproperty and Zoopla), in our office and in the local newspaper - 'To Let' boards, accompanied viewings, processing applications from potential tenants (including full referencing), preparation of the appropriate Tenancy Agreement, collection of the first rent instalment and damage deposit, setting up a future rent payment mechanism to the landlord and transfer of utilities and Council Tax accounts (as applicable) into tenants names. Upon completion of these, the day to day management of the tenancy would become the landlord’s responsibility and we would have fulfilled our remit.

The fee structure for this service is usually calculated as a percentage of one month’s gross rent, but may vary depending on length of tenancy etc, and is usually deducted from the first rent payment, with the balance of this as well as the damage deposit (to be registered with one of the approved deposit schemes by the landlord, unless we have been instructed to hold it as stakeholder) being forwarded to the landlord with a statement and copy documentation.

Tenancy Set Up and Full Management

The setting up element of this service is virtually identical to that of the 'Tenancy Set Up Only' service. However, upon the signing of the tenancy agreement, the rent is set up to be paid to us instead of the landlord and we retain the damage deposit in our Clients Deposit Account, as stakeholder, under our membership of 'The Dispute Service' tenancy deposit scheme. As rent is received throughout the tenancy, the management fee and any other expenditure costs are deducted at source prior to the balance being forwarded to the landlord or landlords bank as applicable, usually by internet bank transfer. Additionally, periodic management visits are undertaken and reported upon, and depending upon previous instructions, maintenance may be arranged on behalf of the landlord. At the end of the tenancy, we collect keys from the outgoing tenants and check the property and inventory (with the landlord if preferred) to assess if any deposit deductions are necessary; return the deposit, or balance of, to the tenant (subject to mutual agreement of any deductions); and read meters and transfer accounts back into the landlord’s name. Throughout the tenancy, we act as intermediary between the tenant and landlord, allowing the landlord to have as much or as little involvement on a personal level as they wish.

The fee structure for this is usually charged as a percentage of the gross rent received on behalf of the landlord, with additional setting up charges at the commencement of the tenancy and periodic charges for some other services (e.g. Inland Revenue Overseas Landlord Income Returns). Administratively, we use specialist lettings software from the market leaders in this field, CFP Software, to help ensure the efficiency and accuracy of all our documentation and accounts processing.

This service is ideal for those landlords who neither have the time nor inclination to want to manage the tenancy themselves or who are perhaps resident out of the area or overseas, or otherwise physically unable to practically deal with it.

Other Options

Whilst the above are the two most common options, we are happy to tailor make a bespoke service to suit, if required, e.g. Tenancy Set Up and Rent Collection Only or Tenancy Set Up and Property Management Only. We will be happy to discuss any such requirements and quote fees accordingly.

Complementary Services

There are a number of services we commonly undertake by way of enhancement to the above. These include Written and Photographic Inventories and Statements of Condition, Inland Revenue Rental Income Returns for Overseas Landlords, additional Property Inspections (e.g. whilst vacant), Project Managment of Property Refurbishment, etc. All these services are charged for additionally, some as set charges, some on a sliding scale and some on a fixed fee, time or percentage basis. No additional charges will be made without prior agreement however.

'Landlords Information Pack' and 'Terms of Business and Instruction Mandate'

Please call or email us to discuss our services in more detail or to arrange an appointment to do so and to request a copy of our Landlord Pack.

Our Landlord Policy

Solo Property Services undertake to deal with all prospective and current landlords in a professional, fair and proper manner, observing common courtesies where appropriate and endeavouring to maintain a good standard of communication at all times.

Solo Property Services will not be party to active or intentional breaches of any anti-discriminatory legislation.

Solo Property Services, whilst legally acting for the landlord (our client) and not the tenant, have a duty of care to those tenants we deal with and will endeavour to ensure that the standard of accommodation let through us, and the standard of service provided by us and our clients is good.

Why Choose Us?

Experience & knowledge – Within our sales and lettings teams, we have over 50 years combined experience of letting, buying and selling property in and around Exeter.

Professional yet personal – We are confident in our abilities to provide you with an effective and professional service and our independence allows us the freedom to offer a flexible and tailored service to best suit your needs, whilst at the same time being personable and friendly.

Complete range of services – With residential and student letting and property management services, buy-to-let consultancy, acquisition services, project management services, residential sales and investment advice, all in-house, and access to a comprehensive range of associated service providers, there is little we cannot do for you.

Going the extra mile – Unlike some other professionals, we won’t bill you for every piece of advice or minor service we undertake for you and if we can give you value added advice or undertake a task ourselves within our contracted service that will save you money, e.g. re-pressurising the central heating system or bleeding the radiators, we will do so.

Advice you can trust - As landlords ourselves, we try and advise you as we would advise ourselves and aim to treat your property and your tenants with the same respect as we would our own. We put our money where our mouths are, which is why we are confident in the advice we give and we want to build lasting working relationships with our clients – the high percentage of longstanding clients we have is testament to this.

Flexibility & adaptability – Whilst we have our basic published services, these are only intended as a guide and we are more than happy to tailor make a bespoke service to suit your requirements or indeed ‘dip in and out’ of different service options on an ad hoc basis to suit you, e.g. you may initially opt for a set up only service but then ask us to manage the tenancy for you because you need to work away for several months.

Complete range of property – We have successfully let all types of property in all types of locations, from individual rooms in city centre houses at £300 per month to detached individual homes with fabulous sea views at £2,500 per month and deal with both residential and student lets in Exeter and within about a 15 mile radius of the city. Whether bottom end or top end of the rent range, you will still receive the same level of service however, as all our clients properties are equally important, with what we achieve today determining what business comes our way tomorrow.

Looking after your interests – We know that the property you want to let is one of your most valuable assets and we never lose sight of that, hence we will always aim to get you the best tenants at the best possible rent and advise you to the best of our ability, whilst adhering to all relevant legislation, working within the appropriate legal lettings framework and maintaining a duty of care to all involved.

Testimonials – Why not see below and see what some of our existing clients think of us.

Testimonials

"For the last several years  Oliver Hale at ‘Solo Property Services  has been my guardian angel. I live and work abroad and  can do so without worrying at all as I know that my property  is in the safest pair of hands one could wish for. I have found the management services at “Solo Property Services”  to be  considerate, kind and efficient, what more could one ask for?" -  Ms Smith (Singapore)

"Solo have been providing property management services for me since 2006 and having started with 1, I now have 5 properties under their management and am extremely happy with the service provided. Of particular note is the fact that Solo offer different levels of service depending upon how active a role you may wish to take. However, their attention to detail and client commitment is the same regardless of your expenditure. Personal relationships are important when entrusting your properties to a third party and I’ve always been impressed with Solo’s quick responses to problems, their use of trusted tradesmen and Solo’s use of technology to keep clients up to-date with their property portfolio. I expect to continue using their management services and am also being advised of sales opportunities through their property sales arm." -  Mr. Keighley (Berkshire)

"I transferred my business to Solo Property Services when they started up and have never looked back. I like the personal service, the clear statements and particularly the on demand advice I receive.I have always valued direct communication, particularly when crises strike and need resolving. They were particularly helpful when I was taking my first steps as a landlord- advising on type of property  and location. I have been in several situations where it was imperative to get tenancies in place quickly, particularly after a purchase, and  Solo have always managed to do so . Having known a number of letting agents I would definitely recommend them because I know they work ,without my being present, to further and protect my interests."  -  Mr. Zeiher (Exeter)