170 OLD ROAD, CLACTON ON SEA, ESSEX, CO15 3AY (01255) 423333

Before we get into the detail of our letting and management service we’d like you to get to know us a bit. That’s not because we're unduly proud of ourselves, although the growth of our business demonstrates that our landlords appreciate our friendly efficiency.

Unlike some, for whom property management is a side line or just another one of their many activities, for us careful management of property is our speciality! We’d like to include your property in our care.

We realise that, in the past, property rental was fraught with dangers. Rent controls, Protected tenancies, difficult tenants etc. made renting property rather unattractive. However, the Housing Act of 1988 has made significant changes. Now you can let a property with the assurance that you can get it back. Reasonable rents are unlikely to be challenged and, if you allow us to find your tenants, the vetting we carry out minimises the likelyhood of a bad tenant.

You can take all the advantages of receiving regular rent from your property. We will do all the practical work and see to all the administration and care. We will also act for you with the tenant during the tenancy, ensuring that the pleasure of rents received is not spoiled by the routine needs of even the best properties! You can have the assurance that your property is being well looked after.

Full details of what we would like to do for you are in the following pages. You will see there are two levels of service. So, as you read the following pages and the range of options that our service offers, may we assure you once again that it is our purpose to give every satisfaction. We look forward to the opportunity to do so. A comprehensive Information Pack will be sent to you upon your instruction to let.

"Well", you may say "Your service may be ‘friendly’ and your intention to ‘give satisfaction’ may be genuine but surely there must be other more tangible reasons?" Yes there certainly are! Let us tell you about them: -

FIRSTLY, Priory Estates makes sure that your rental goes quickly and securely to your bank. We arrange that electronic instruction is given to our bank from our computer. The bank simply ‘transmits’ our payment to your bank. Its fast! It’s secure! It’s trouble free! What’s more you don’t have to bank cheques or wait for clearance!

SECONDLY, Priory Estates are able to give attention to business needs six days a week. You, or your tenant can ring for advice or information almost any time in our working day. If action is needed it will be put in hand.

THIRDLY, Priory Estates recognise that your letting will be more profitable in the long run by ensuring tenants are happy. This brings you to a steadier cash flow and fewer intermediate expenses. To this end, without in anyway reducing our loyalty to you, we aim to show interest in and concern for the tenants we find for you. Long lets and renewed agreements mean fewer costly vacancies.

FOURTHLY, we are dedicated letting agents!

VISIT AND AGREE RENTAL VALUE. We like to visit your property to take details of the accommodation and agree a rental valuation. Rents should include ground rents to service charges. We will answer any questions you may have.

FIND A TENANT, ACCOMPANY VIEWINGS, CHECK REFERENCES. To find your tenant we check our ‘Tenants waiting’ list, use advertising and ‘To Let’ boards. We meet prospective tenants at the property to get to know them. Interested tenants are given an application form. When completed, details of their move-in are agreed with you. We obtain names of references and use the services of an independent, professional property managers referencing agency. If the agency gives a report that is less than the best we require the tenant to give a guarantor - who must also be approved by our agency. We do all that can be done to ensure properties in our care are not let to unsuitable applicants.

NOTICES, AGREEMENTS AND INVENTORIES. We arrange an inventory/schedule of condition. We send you details of the tenant and ask you to return confirmation of your acceptance. We issue the notices and agreements required, ensuring the notices are receipted by the tenant to safeguard your rights. We sign the agreement on you behalf.

MOVE TENANT IN, COLLECT RENT AND DEPOSIT, READ METERS. On the day of the tenants move - in we meet the tenant at the property and read the meters. The tenant signs both the agreement and the Inventory/Schedule of Condition. We give them a property information sheet, covering important facts about the property together with the keys. We collect the deposit, usually in excess of one months rent, and the first rent payment.

TRANSFER DOMESTIC SERVICE AND COUNCIL TAX ACCOUNTS. After the tenant has moved in we confirm to you that all went satisfactorily. We notify the Gas and Electric boards and the Council of the new tenants details, whilst arranging final accounts for the last occupant. We pass copies of the Agreement and Inventory/Schedule of Condition to you.

If the "Letting" is all you have commissioned us to do, this completes our service to you and the tenant, except the following:-

DEPOSIT AND RENT PAYMENT. At the beginning of the tenancy we pass over to you the rent received less our commission and agreed charges, and register the deposit with one of the approved 3 schemes.

TENANCY ENDING. As a matter of courtesy, we write to you towards the end of the tenancy. We can, on your instruction arrange to negotiate an extension Agreement with your tenant or, if you prefer it, we can give notice to find a new tenant for you.

We can offer these extra, charged services:-

TENANT MOVE OUT. We would arrange to meet the tenant, read the meters and check the fuel level, if appropriate. We could collect the keys, check the fridge and freezer doors are open and leave the property secure.

As appropriate we would transfer domestic services to the new tenant or you. Arrange for final accounts to be sent on to the outgoing tenant. Remind the tenant to cancel the telephone. Notify you of any balance of fuel left at the property.

INVENTORY CHECKING. We can also arrange to check the Inventory/ Schedule of Condition and provide you with a report to enable you to agree dilapidation with the tenant before the return of their deposit.

In addition to all the features in a let only service.

REGULAR RENTS. Our tenants are normally regular payers and we have few problems in this area. Our computerised systems monitor when rent is due. Any non - payment, for any reason is quickly obvious and rigorously pursued. Any difficulties receive personal attention.

SAFE REMITTANCE. Rents, less commission, reach you safely via "Banker" Automated Clearing System (BACS). Our office computer instructs our bank electronically. They transfer the amount to your account as cleared funds so the money is immediately useable. No lost cheques, postal problems or visits to the bank.

CLEAR RECORDS. Our monthly statements keep you fully informed, detailing rent due and collected from your tenant. It also shows your income and expenditure with the amount sent to your bank.

SECURITY. Tenants found by us have passed our vetting procedure. Doubtful applicants are readily rejected. However we can also offer comprehensive insurance for landlords part of which can cover loss of rent (there is information in the back of this brochure.)

Full Management

Visit your property & agree rental value.

Advertise property and find tenants.

Issue notices and agreements.

Move tenants in.

Transfer domestic service accounts.

Collect rent.

Provide management accounts.

Inspect property on a regular basis.

Arrange repairs.

Tenant move out and final accounts.

Using a comprehensive mixture of marketing and advertising, we will endeavour to market your property to a wide range of tenants by utilising colour details with a photograph of your property.  In addition, your property would be displayed in our office window, in the local press and property trade magazines and via our website and rightmove.co.uk!