Sales 6

Rentals 10

Block management 16

Welcome 4

Our charges 18

hamiltonchase.co.uk

Most people will not Make a bigger investMent

in their lives than in a property, therefore,

choosing the right agent is crucial.

4

hamiltonchase.co.uk

Welcome to Hamilton cHase

As fully licensed members of the The National Association

of Estate Agents you can be rest assured of the very highest

levels of professionalism.

Hamilton Chase has been established since 2004, and it is an

owner run and managed agency. We are constantly praised for

our exceptional service and we pride ourselves on continually

exceeding our clients’ expectations.

5

we recognise that buying or selling a property is

one of the Most iMportant decisions you will Make

in your life, and we work with you, offering advice

and help along every step of the way.

6

the valuationAs members of the NAEA we are committed to providing you a true, fair and realistic valuation of your property. We won’t overvalue it, and we most certainly won’t undervalue it. We will show you properties also on sale or that have been sold that are comparable to yours to help give you a better idea of what price you could achieve.

the instructionThis is when you instruct us to sell your property for you. We will prepare full colour particulars, with floor plans as standard, to bring your property to market in the best possible light. Only once you have approved them, will we commence full marketing.

sole, Joint or Multi agencySole Agency is when you instruct just one agent to sell your property. This is beneficial to you as you pay a smaller fee and you have the dedicated attention of one agent. Joint agency – two agents working on your behalf. Multi Agency – three or more agents. Joint and Multi Agency will normally attract a higher selling fee than Sole Agency.

MarketingYour property will appear on our website, Rightmove, Prime Location, Zoopla and several other property websites. We also advertise in the local press, and one of the most effective forms of advertising is still a ‘For Sale’ board. Our office is located on Barnet High Street near the market and The Spires with ample passing trade to attract new customers.

the sales Process

WE ALWAYS WORkON A NO SALE, NO FEE BASiS.

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epc – energy performance certificates (epcs) These give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC which we can arrange for you.

viewingsOur team can manage the entire viewing process – you can leave keys with us or give us access to accompany all viewings. We have found that this provides a good opportunity for us to gauge the viewer’s instant reaction and gather feedback for us to pass on to you.

open daysSome properties will benefit from hosting ‘open days’. This is when we allocate one day for all initial viewings to hopefully encourage multiple offers and higher prices. Please ask us for more details.

feedbackSometimes purchasers are more honest without the homeowner present, which helps us give you more accurate feedback. We promise to give you feedback after every viewing.

offersOur aim is for you to start receiving offers on your property within a short time of us commencing marketing. We will advise you of the buyer’s position in order for you to make an informed decision as to how to proceed.

WE PROMiSE TO givE YOu FEEdBACk AFTER EvERY viEWiNg.

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property chainNow you are under offer, if you are not buying a new home, this is commonly known as ‘end of chain’. if you are buying a property, and/or your buyer has a property to sell, then we get into a chain situation. Our job is to verify the strength of that chain, which is crucial in trying to determine how long your move will take. Typically a sale will take 2-3 months to complete from this point.

exchange and completionOnce we have secured a buyer for you, we remain on hand to progress the sale through to exchange. This is the point when legal contracts have been exchanged between the two parties and a deposit is normally paid of between 5% and 10%. it is at this point that a date for completion (moving date) is set. On this day, the solicitors will transfer the remainder of the funds and once they are received, they will permit us to release the keys to your buyer.

did you know?

THE iNduSTRY AvERAgE

FOR SALES THAT COMPLETE

FROM THiS STAgE iS 60%.

AT HAMiLTON CHASE iT iS

95% – SiMPLY BECAuSE OF THE

RESEARCH THAT WE dO FOR

YOu AT THiS POiNT TO ENSuRE

THAT YOuR BuYER ANd THEiR

‘CHAiN’ iS CREdiBLE.

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our local expertise, coMbined with our

knowledge of the Market, ensures that

we have an extensive insight into the

needs and wants of renters.

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valuation Our valuation service is free with no obligation. We will happily value any properties that you are considering letting, or even ones that you are considering purchasing for investment or buy-to-let. At the valuation, we can calculate approximate returns for your investment and also offer practical advice on what is required, improvements etc.

Marketing Your property will appear on our website, Rightmove, Primelocation, Zoopla and several other property websites. We also advertise in the local press, and one of the most effective forms of advertising is still a ‘For Rent’ board. Our office is located on Barnet High Street in between the market and The Spires with ample passing trade to attract new customers.

viewings Our team can manage the entire viewing process – you can leave keys with us or give us access to accompany all viewings. We have found that this provides a good opportunity for us to gauge the viewer’s instant reaction and gather feedback for us to pass on to you.

feedback Sometimes tenants are more honest without the homeowner present, which helps us give you more accurate feedback. We promise to give you feedback after every viewing.

offers Our aim is for you to start receiving offers on your property within a short time of us commencing marketing. We will advise you of the tenant’s position in order for you to make an informed decision as to how to proceed.

the Rental Process

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references if a tenant is interested in a property, we take a holding deposit from them to secure the property. We use a specialist referencing agency to carry out a thorough check on each applicant to ensure their credibility and their ability to afford the rent on your property. Once satisfactory references are obtained, and have been approved by you, we will then draw up the tenancy agreements.

rent guarantee despite every measure taken when referencing a tenant, they could still face redundancy, and for peace of mind we recommend that you take out a rent guarantee and legal expenses policy. Our representative will provide you with full details.

contracts The most common type of contract used is the Assured Shorthold Tenancy. The usual contract term is 6 or 12 months. We do not recommend any longer than 12 months as your circumstances may change and you may require possession of the property at the end of the original term.

renewals Approximately two months prior to the end of the tenancy, we will contact you and your tenant to ask if you wish to renew. Should you require possession, we will serve the relevant notices to the tenant. Should they wish to vacate, we will, with your consent, re-advertise the property for re-letting. Should you both wish to renew, we will draw up the new contracts on your behalf. A renewal commission will be payable.

Moving in day We will arrange a mutually convenient moving in date and arrange for the contracts to be signed by the tenant and they will pay one month’s rent in advance and six weeks rent as deposit. Once signed and paid, we will release the keys to them. Your account will then be prepared and all the paperwork will be sent to you shortly after.

WE CARRY OuT A THOROugH CHECk ON EACH APPLiCANT TO ENSuRE THEiR CREdiBiLiTY ANd THEiR ABiLiTY TO AFFORd THE RENT ON YOuR PROPERTY.

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Preparing the Property for Renting

furnished or unfurnished There is a demand for both types of properties and the more flexible you can be, the more of the market you will attract. The most important factor is to ensure that the property is clean, in a good state of repair and that it shows well to prospective tenants. Neutral colours and modern furniture and fittings will appeal to the majority of the market.

safety checks We can arrange any or all of the following checks on your behalf.— gas safety certificate – the law requires that every

gas appliance in your property to be certified as safe on an annual basis by a gas Safe Engineer

— As a compliant agent we require all properties to have a PAT (portable appliance test)

— Smoke detectors be installed on each floor in all rental properties

— Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC once every ten years

— Carbon Monoxide detectors where gas is present in a property

— Furnishings – it is a requirement that all upholstered furniture in rented properties pass the ‘cigarette test’. generally most furniture purchased from reputable suppliers after March 1990 should comply with the regulations.

deposits and inventory Since 6 April 2007, all tenants deposits must be registered. As members of The dispute Service, and where landlords utilise the adjudication services of The dispute Service to justify their requests to withhold part or all of a tenant deposit, the outcome of cases is usually reliant upon the validity and integrity of the inventory, check-in and check-out reports. We therefore strongly recommend that you use one of the recommended inventory companies to prepare this for you.

cleaning We recommend that your property is professionally cleaned for the same reasons as stated above. if it is not professionally cleaned prior to the tenant moving in, it is then difficult to ask the tenant to do so at the end of the tenancy.

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other information and common Questions

your mortgage Your lender should be advised of your intention to let the property and their consent should be sought and agreed prior to the commencement of the letting.

leasehold propertiesYou should advise your freeholder or managing agent that you intend to let the property. This is particularly important if your buildings insurance is arranged through your freeholder, as it may affect you should you need to make a claim.

insuranceit is the landlord’s responsibility to insure the property and its contents against all normal risks. Please ask us for a quotation for landlord’s insurance. Tenants insure their own belongings.

tax income tax is payable on profit arising from letting. We recommend that you seek professional advice on this matter as personal tax circumstances are different for each individual.

non-resident landlords if you are a uk citizen and reside abroad or are working abroad you will still be required to pay income tax. if we are collecting rent on your behalf, we will require specific exemption from the inland Revenue in order to pay your rent to you without deducting the tax beforehand. We can provide you with the appropriate documentation to apply to the inland Revenue for this exemption.

the utilities As part of our fully managed service, we will transfer the utilities (gas, electricity, water rates and council tax) over into the tenants names.

Service charges and ground rents – the landlord is responsible for the payment of these.

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our services

There are three levels of service available to you.

‘let only’ service, which includes:— Free property appraisal— Advertising and marketing of your property— Escorting prospective tenants to the property— Full referencing of each tenant— Preparation of tenancy agreement and notices— Arranging for any safety checks, cutting of keys, etc

on your behalf— Signing of contracts and collection of first month’s

rent and deposit— Serve notice to quit on your tenants if required.

‘rent collection’ service, which includes: All the services included within the ‘let only’ service, plus:— Monthly rent collection from the tenant— Monthly statement, invoice and payment to your

dedicated account.

‘fully managed’ service, which includes:All of the services included in the ‘let only’ and ‘rent collection’ services, plus:— Check-in of the tenant on the day of moving— Meter readings and transfer of utilities— Quarterly inspections with photographs to ensure

that the property is being looked after and a report sent to you after each inspection

— Final inspection and negotiation between landlord and tenant in the event of a dispute, with referral to the dispute Service if necessary

— dealing with maintenance queries – should a problem arise we will arrange quotations and contractors (of your choice if you wish) to deal with the problem. Your consent will always be sought before works are arranged (unless it is an emergency and you are unavailable)

— dealing with day to day queries from your tenants enabling you to remain anonymous if you choose to do so.

Please see our Terms of Business for a full schedule of fees.

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when choosing your

Managing agent, it is

critical that they are

regulated and have

sufficient insurances

in place to offer you

peace of Mind.

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insurances and services

we can confirm that:— We are members of the NAEA

(National Association of Estate Agents)— We are members of the TPOS

(The Property Ombudsman)— We are members of NALS

(National Approved Letting Scheme)— We have Professional indemnity Cover— We have Client Money Protection cover.

our range of services include:— Collection of Service Charges— Arranging competitive and comprehensive

buildings and contents insurance— Regular property inspections— Complete maintenance service including arranging

quotations, overseeing work and ensuring standards are kept

— Payment of bills with the express approval of one of the directors/committee members if required. This ensures complete transparency of the budget and expenditure

— Preparation of Service Charge Budgets and Proposals for future planned works

— Full accounting service and liaison with Auditors— Effective maintenance and provision of service

contracts— Ensuring compliance with Lease Covenants— Arranging and chairing Annual general Meetings— Regular liaison and updates with committee members.

Block management

“HAMiLTON CHASE HAvE MANAgEd OuR BLOCk FOR FivE YEARS, ANd THEY ARE STiLL AS TENACiOuS AS THE dAY THEY TOOk OvER.”

OuR SERviCE CHARgES

HAvE dROPPEd BY

15%SiNCE YOu TOOk CHARgE

ANd THE STANdARd OF

SERviCE HAS iNCREASEd

BY 100%!

“

”

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our charges

if you are reading this section, we hope you are interested in our services. We believe that each client is an individual and so is the package that we tailor for them. in order to provide a quotation, we would like to discuss your requirements as we do not believe you should pay for something that you do not need.

Please contact us today – our quotations are always free and without obligation.

HamiltonChase

020 8441 1123

YOu ARE AN iNdividuAL, THEREFORE SO ARE OuR PACkAgES.

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Hamilton Chase Estates Limited

141 High Street, Barnet

Hertfordshire EN5 5uZ

t 020 8441 1123

w hamiltonchase.co.uk

e info@hamiltonchase.co.uk

hamiltonchaseestates

@hamilton_chase_