Your Letting Website

MORTGAGE ADVICE

Types of mortgage and other mortgage information:
We recommend and introduce our clients to Richard Purnell, an independent mortgage advisory service based at our offices. Richard Purnell is available to advise on the latest mortgage packages available from the whole of the market.

It's always advisable to work through the costs involved in any purchase and if possible obtain an agreement in principle from a suitable lender, this will improve your position when making an offer for your new home. Appointments are available throughout the week and most weekends, Richard is happy to visit you at home for your convenience or meet with you at our office in Skipton.

Remember that your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other loan secured on it. Richard Purnell (t/a me Smarter Mortgages) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for advising on and arranging mortgages and insurance.

To arrange a free and convenient appointment, please call 01756 228300.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let a property, Park Mill Properties offers you the very latest high tech online marketing system combined with the safety of traditional, local lettings and sale agency management, all at amazingly competitive low prices without compromising the service.

RESIDENTIAL LETTNGS LANDLORD FEES 2024

We are committed to be upfront with our charges and fees.  The table below shows all Landlord fees payable.  For further details, please refer to Landlords Terms & Conditions.

Description   of Fee	Total   Cost (No VAT)
Full Management	9.5% of monthly rent, example:   if the  monthly rent was £..., the fee   would be £..., plus one off fee for finding a tenant of £510.  However, should the agreed rent be higher,   or lower than the example price, our commission fee will be correspondingly   higher or lower.
Let Only Service	one months rent (minimum £610)
Rent and Legal Protection   insurance	£150
Deposit Protection Scheme	£25
Tenancy Renewal	£75
Notice of Possession (Section   21)	£75
Court attendance	£200 per day
Landlord Gas Safety Record   Certificate	£95
Energy Performance Certificate   (EPC)	£80
Key Cutting	£15 plus cost of key
Deposit paid by tenant	1 months rent
This Office is part of the   Redress Scheme This Office is part of a   Client MoneyProtection Scheme	The Property Ombudsman (Membership No: D004459-0) CMP (Client Money Protection Membership No:CMP004445)

 

All charges correct at this time of print

 

 

PARK MILL PROPERTIES LIMITED

IN-HOUSE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

We are committed to providing a professional service to all our clients and customers.  When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it.  This will help us to improve our standards.

We will where appropriate, make reasonable adjustments for consumers who might be disadvantaged because of factors such as their age, infirmity, disability, lack of knowledge, lack of linguistic or numeracy ability, economic circumstances, bereavement or do not speak English as a first language.

If you have a complaint, please put it in writing, including as much detail as possible.  We will then respond in line with the timeframes set out below (if you feel we have not sought to address your complaints within eight weeks, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Property Ombudsman to consider without our final viewpoint on the matter).

What will happen next?

•         We will send you written acknowledgment of the receipt of your complaint within three working days of receiving it, enclosing a copy of this procedure.
•         We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally be dealt with by the office manager who will review your file and speak to the member of staff who dealt with you.  A formal written outcome of our investigation will be sent to you within 15 working days of receipt of the original complaint.
•         If, at this stage, you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again and we will arrange for a separate review to take place by a senior member of staff.
•         We will write to you within 15 working days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final viewpoint on the matter.
•         If you are still not satisfied with our final viewpoint (or more than 8 weeks has elapsed since the complaint was first made) you can request an independent review from The Property Ombudsman without charge.

The Property Ombudsman

Milford House

43-55 Milford Street

Salisbury

Wiltshire

SP1 2BP

01722 333 306

www.tpos.co.uk

Make a Complaint - The Property Ombudsman (tpos.co.uk)

Please note the following:

You will need to submit your complaint to The Property Ombudsman within 12 months from the date of our final viewpoint, including any evidence to support your case.

The Property Ombudsman requires that all complaints are addressed through this in-house complaint procedure, before being submitted for an independent review.

 

 

TERMS OF BUSINESS

 

This agreement is made between the Landlord of the Property and Park Mill Properties Limited, who agree to act for the Landlord and are hereinafter referred to as “the Agency”. The purpose of this document is to set out clearly & concisely the extent of the letting and management service offered and the scale of fees charged. The terms of the Agreement set out in this document will constitute a binding legal contract. If you are unsure of your obligations under this Agreement, then you are advised to seek independent legal advice before signing. Park Mill Properties Limited provides a property letting and management service to landlords wishing to let out their property. The standard fee for the service Fully Managed is taken as a percentage of the gross rents collected. A setup fee is also charged at the start of the tenancy for taking the references and arranging the tenancy. We offer the Fully Managed service, as well as a Tenant Find Service. Details of these services and our Scale of Fees can be found at the end of this agreement.

 

Terms of Business 1)  General Authority The Landlord confirms that he / she is the sole or joint owner of the Property and has the right to rent out the Property under the terms of the mortgage or head lease. Where necessary, the Landlord confirms that permission to let the Property has been obtained from the mortgagee or relevant party. The Landlord authorises the Agency to carry out the various usual duties of property management including those listed in the descriptions of the Service Levels at the end of this agreement. The Landlord also agrees that the Agency may take and hold deposits and comply with the requirements of any deposit protection scheme that may apply to the deposit. It is declared that the Agency may earn and retain any commissions on insurance policies issued, works carried out and interest on deposits held.

 

2)  Liability for Tenant Default Although the aim is to take every care in managing the Property, the Agency cannot be held responsible for late or non-payment of rent, damage to the Property by tenants, or any other associated legal costs incurred, where the Agency has acted correctly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or on the Landlord’s written or verbal instructions. It is recommended that an insurance policy is taken out for this eventuality.

 

3)  Indemnity The Landlord agrees to indemnify the Agency for any reasonable costs, expenses or liabilities incurred or imposed on the Agency provided that they were incurred on behalf of the Landlord in pursuit of the Agency’s normal duties. To assist the Agency in carrying out its duties effectively, the Landlord agrees to respond promptly, providing necessary instructions, to any correspondence or requests from the Agency.

 

Landlord Letting & Management Agreement - All Service Levels

 

4)  Maintenance 4.1)  The Landlord agrees to provide the Property in a good condition ready to let, and that the Property and all soft furnishings conform to the current fire & safety regulations. 4.2)  The Landlord agrees to make the Agency aware of any ongoing maintenance problems. Subject to a retained maximum expenditure limit of £200.00, on any single item or repair, and any other requirements or limits specified by the Landlord, the Agency will administer any miscellaneous maintenance work that needs to be carried out on the Property. ‘Retained maximum expenditure limit’ means that the Agency has authority to spend up to this amount (or other amount as individually agreed) on reasonable improvements or repairs in any single monthly accounting period without prior reference to the Landlord. 4.3)  For expenditure in excess of the agreed limits, the Agency would normally request authorisation in advance. It is agreed that in an emergency or for reasons of contractual or legal necessity the Agency may reasonably exceed the limits specified, where reasonable endeavours have been made to contact the Landlord. 4.4) The Agency endeavours to select competent tradesmen at reasonable prices but is unable to personally guarantee the standard of workmanship or any liability arising thereof, although the Landlord retains the right to pursue any claim against appointed tradesmen for substandard work. 4.5) By law, it is necessary to carry out an annual inspection and service for the central heating and any gas appliances. The Agency will carry this out on the Landlord’s behalf and administer the necessary inspection and maintenance records. The costs involved will be debited to the Landlord’s account. 4.6)   If the property is vacant when adverse weather conditions occur, there may be frost damage to water or heating systems and sanitary appliances. The Landlord is strongly recommended to take all necessary action to protect the property from such risks, or to instruct the Agency to put in hand any necessary works on the Landlord’s behalf. The Agency accepts no responsibility or liability for damage caused in these conditions.

 

1.                   Overseas Residents When letting property and collecting rents for landlords living overseas (non-UK resident landlords), the Agency is obliged by the Taxes Management Act (TMA) 1970 and the Taxation of Income from Land (Non-Residents) Regulations 1995 to deduct monies (at the basic tax rate) to cover any tax liability, unless the Landlord has been authorised in writing by HM Revenue & Customs to receive rent gross. A copy of the NRL certificate must be provided to the Agency. In this situation, the Agency also requests that the Landlord appoints an accountant or reserves the Agency the right to employ a suitably qualified accountant in order to manage correspondence with HMRC. A standard annual charge will be made for this work and administration expenses may be charged by the Agency for further work requested by the Landlord, the Landlord’s accountant or the Inland Revenue in connection with such tax liabilities. In many cases, a Landlord’s tax liability is minimal when all allowable costs are deducted.
2.               Termination This agreement may be terminated by either party by way of two months’ written notice. A placement fee equivalent to one month’s rent will be payable where the Landlord intends to continue letting to tenants introduced by the Agency after the termination of this agreement. In the event that the Landlord withdraws from this agreement prior to the Agency obtaining a tenant, the Landlord will not be liable to pay any costs incurred by the  Agency  except in the circumstances where the Agency has found a suitable tenant who has not yet taken occupation, in which case the Landlord will be charged a fee equivalent to one months’ rent. If the landlord wishes to terminate the Agency’s management on any individual property, the Agency must be given one month’s notice. Failure to provide such notice will result in a fee being charged. The fee will be the equivalent of the management charge on a full month’s rent, regardless of whether the Property is let or vacant, and will be in addition to the termination fee stated above

 

5)  Council Tax Payment of Council tax will normally be the responsibility of the tenants in the property. However, Landlords should be aware that where a property is empty, let as holiday accommodation, or let as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) responsibility for payment of council tax then rests with the owner of the property.

 

6)  Services The Agency will take meter readings whenever possible at each change of occupation in the Property and inform the service companies (electricity, gas and water) of these readings and change of occupation. In many cases, the service companies (e.g. BT) require that the new occupiers formally request and authorise the service and it is not possible for the Agency to do this on the tenant’s or Landlord’s behalf. Regarding mail, Landlords should take care to inform all parties (e.g. Banks, clubs, societies etc.) of their new address; it is not always possible to rely on tenants to forward mail.

 

7)  Inventory Should it be necessary, the Agency will prepare an inventory for the Property and a charge will be made for this depending on the size of the inventory. The standard inventory will include all removable items in the Property (except those of negligible value) plus carpets, curtains, mirrors, sanitary ware and other articles that, in the opinion of the Agency, need regular checking. Landlords should not leave any articles of exceptional value in the Property without prior arrangement with the Agency. The standard inventory service does not include a full schedule of condition (condition, colour & decoration of ceilings, walls, doors & fittings etc.) or photography; this can be prepared at the Landlord’s request and will incur further charges. The Agency cannot accept any liability for omissions or errors on the inventory. The Landlord can provide the Agency with an inventory if preferred.

 

8)  Tenancy Agreement All of our service levels include the preparation of a letting agreement in the Agency’s standard form(s). Should the Landlord, his advisors or mortgagees require amendment of the contract or require the Agency to enter into further work or correspondence, a fee for this extra work may be requested. It is agreed that the Agency will sign the tenancy agreement(s) on behalf of the Landlord.

 

9)  Inspections Under our Fully Managed  Service, the Agency will normally carry out periodic inspections. It is not the intention to check every item of the inventory at this stage; the inspection is concerned with verifying the good order of the tenancy (i.e. property being used in a ‘tenant-like’ manner) and the general condition of the Property. This would normally include inspecting the main items (carpets, walls, cooker, main living areas etc). Where these were felt to be unsatisfactory, a more detailed inspection would generally be made. Following the departure of tenants, a final inspection of the Property is carried out by the Agency. Testing of electrical appliances, heating and plumbing is not feasible during this inspection; a qualified contractor will be appointed for this purpose should it be required by the Landlord. Any deficiencies or dilapidations which fall beyond the Tenant’s responsibility would normally be submitted to the Landlord for approval, together with any costs. It is agreed that the Agency’s judgement will be final in this matter.

 

10)  Holding Fee A holding fee is generally taken from a tenant applying to rent a property. The purpose of this fee is to verify the tenant’s serious intent to proceed, and to protect the Agency against any administrative expenses (taking out references, conducting viewings) that may be incurred should the tenant decide to withdraw the application. The holding fee does not protect the Landlord against loss of rent due to the tenant deciding to withdraw, or references proving unsuitable although early acceptance of rent from the applicant would not be advisable until satisfactory references have been received. Landlords should notify the Agency where they wish a larger security fee or deposit to be carried to protect against loss of rents. If the tenancy proceeds, the holding deposit will be used towards the deposit.

11)  Tenancy Deposits

11.1) These deposits will be kept in a separate secure client account ready for refunding (less any charges due) at the end of the tenancy.

11.2) In accordance with Tenancy Deposit Legislation, the deposit will be administered in the appropriate manner. The Agency is a member of The Deposit Protection Service, with whom any deposits collected by the Agency will be registered and protected within 14 days. Should the Landlord wish to protect the deposit, the Agency will require proof that the Landlord is a member of one of the government approved deposit protection schemes.

11.3)  The Agency will attempt, by negotiation, to resolve any deposit disputes between the Landlord and the Tenant. Where the deposit is subject to statutory tenancy deposit protection, and a dispute cannot be resolved between the parties, it will be necessary to submit the claim to the tenancy deposit administrators for adjudication under an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. There will be an additional fee charged for administering the dispute.

11.4) The Landlord authorises the Agency to make appropriate deductions from the rental income in the last two months of the tenancy to provide a maintenance fund from which any cleaning, repair or other costs can be disbursed at the end of the tenancy.

 

12)  Rent Collection The Agency will produce a Landlord statement showing a clear breakdown of all rental income received minus any items of expenditure, paying over the net balance to the Landlord by BACS. Landlord statements will be produced as close to the first working day of each calendar month.

 

13)  Instructions It is agreed that any instructions from the Landlord to the Agency regarding termination, proceedings, major repairs, payment details or other significant details regarding the letting be confirmed to the agency in writing.

 

The Landlord shall provide the Agency with any requirements for return and repossession of the Property at the earliest opportunity. Landlords should be aware that any tenancy agreement entered into on the Landlord’s behalf is a binding legal agreement for the term agreed. Details of any tenancy agreement being entered into will be communicated onto the Landlord as soon as possible. Landlords should be aware that the legal minimum notice period to tenants under assured tenancies is two months (should the contract allow for early termination) and this needs to be given even in the case of a fixed term tenancy which is due to expire. 16)  Safety Regulations Warning: You should read and understand these obligations before signing this agreement.

 

The letting of property is now closely regulated with respect to consumer safety. The law makes particular demands regarding the safety, servicing and inspection of the gas and electric appliances and installations within a property, and with respect to the safety of furniture and soft furnishings that are also provided. The following regulations apply: • Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) • General Product Safety Regulations 1994 • Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 • Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 • Plugs & Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994 The Landlord confirms that they are aware of these obligations and that the Agency has provided sufficient information (via explanatory leaflets available on request) to assist with compliance. It is agreed that the Landlord shall ensure that the Property is made available for letting in a safe condition and in compliance with above regulations. The Landlord agrees to indemnify the Agency against any expenses or penalties that may be suffered as a result of non-compliance of the Property to fire and appliance safety standards.

 

14)  Insurance The Landlord shall be responsible for the Property being adequately insured and that the insurance policy covers the situation where the Property is let, whether furnished or unfurnished. The Agency would normally be responsible for the administration of any claims arising during the period of management, where the property is being managed under our Gold management package, and would be subject to an additional charge. We can offer competitive rates for all aspects of insurance cover.

 

15)  Rent Guarantee & Legal Protection The Agency shall not be held responsible for any unpaid rent by the Tenant(s). Any Rent Guarantee & Legal Protection cover purchased will be the responsibility of the Landlord, and claims will be dealt with directly through the insurance provider.

 

16)  Legal Proceedings Any delays of payment or other defaults will be acted on by the Agency in the first instance. Where the Agency has been unsuccessful in these initial actions, or there are significant rent arrears or breaches of the tenancy agreement, the Landlord will be advised accordingly. A solicitor would then be appointed and instructed by the Landlord (except where the Agency is unable to contact the Landlord, in which case the Agency is authorised to instruct a solicitor on the Landlord’s behalf). The Landlord is responsible for payment of all legal fees and any related costs.

 

17)  Housing Benefit The Landlord undertakes to reimburse the Agency for any claims arising from overpayment which may be made by the local authority in respect of housing benefit, or other benefit scheme, paid to or on behalf of the tenant(s) as rent. This undertaking shall remain in force throughout the tenancy and for up to six years thereafter, whether or not the Agency continues to be engaged to let or manage the property under this agreement.

 

18)  Services to Tenants The Agency may offer to arrange insurance, banking and other financial services, mortgages, estate agency and other related services for the prospective and current tenants and shall be entitled to receive commission in respect of any such services arranged. The Landlord will not be entitled to any share of the commissions or any reduction in fees.

 

19)  Key Holding Tenants working full time are not usually available to be at the property during the day to provide access to contractors when there is a problem.

 

The Agency will require a set of keys which will be securely held by the Agency and made available to carefully vetted contractors when required. This will also facilitate property inspections and allow the Agency to gain access to the Property if there is an emergency and the tenant is not available.

 

20)  Clients Money This office is part of the redress Scheme – The Property Ombudsman. (www.tpos.co.uk) of which we are a member (member D04459-0) This office is a member  of a Client Money Protection Scheme (Client Money Protect - CMP - Membership No:  CMP004445)

 

21)  Data Protection All information concerning Landlords or Tenants details are confidential, and the information will be held by the Agency strictly in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation and any amendments thereto.

 

22)  VAT We are not VAT registered.

 

23) Variation Park Mill Properties Limited may alter or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time by way of one month’s written notice. They will be binding on all Clients at the time of notification.

 

24) We require the proposed letting property to have an Energy Performance Certificate EPC) before we market the property on our websites and platforms this is a legal requirement and will have to score an E or above.  The cost of supplying this is on our list of fees.

 

Right to Cancel – If you are a consumer client and this contract was not agreed within our office you have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason. The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day this contract was agreed. To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us of your decision to cancel this contract by sending us a clear statement in writing to Park Mill Properties Limited, High Street House, Newmarket Street, Skipton, BD23 2HU or emailing us at arthur@parkmillproperties.co.uk  To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired. We are not legally permitted to market your property until the cancellation period has expired, unless you provide us with specific written permission to do so.

If you do request that we begin immediate marketing of your property during the cancellation period and you do exercise your right to cancel, you will be required to pay us an amount which is in proportion to what has been performed until you communicated your cancellation of the contract. This will include the expenses incurred in line with the expenditure schedule above plus any other reasonable costs. The minimum charge will be £250 (No VAT). Where we introduce or have negotiations with the ultimate tenant of the property before you exercise your statutory right to cancel the contract, this contract will be deemed to have been fully performed and the agreed agency fee would be due, notwithstanding that cancellation took place.