Landlord FAQs

You will need permission from your mortgage provider (if there is an outstanding loan on the property), the freeholder (if the property is leasehold) and your insurer (as you made need letting specific insurance). If you own a large house arranged over three or more floors you may also need to consider multiple occupancy (HMO) licensing via your local authority.

Failure to comply with the above may result in your property being repossessed, a heavy fine being imposed or a custodial sentence.

Fees charged by Butler & Stag are clearly listed within our Terms of Business (view here), available upon request as well as included within our valuation pack. When letting your property, you need to consider the following costs;

• Butler & Stag offer four different letting services with varying costs. They include; Let Only at 12% Incl VAT, Rent Collection at 14.4% Incl VAT , Managed Service at 18.0% Incl VAT and Short Let at 24.0% Incl VAT. Our fees are charged as a percentage (%) of the total contractual rental income.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - All properties marketed for sale or let within the EU require an EPC by law. They are valid for 10 years and cost approximate £120 Incl VAT. The EPC provides consumers with information to the properties energy efficiency and environmental impact, with ratings of A-G.' A' being the most efficient end of the scale. Butler & Stag can arrange an EPC for you through one of our recommended qualified assessors.
• Gas Safety Certificate - If the property has gas, by law a safety inspection of the boiler and gas appliances must take place on an annual basis by a registered Gas Safe contractor. Butler & Stag can arrange this on your behalf with an average cost of £120 Incl VAT.
• Landlord Licensing - If your property requires a licence Butler & Stag can apply on your behalf at a cost of £ 360 Incl VAT.
• Deposit Protection Registration - If you require Butler & Stag to register the security deposit of your behalf there will be a charge of £ 60 Incl VAT .
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - Butler & Stag can arrange this at a cost of £ 156 Incl VAT for apartments and £ 192 Incl VAT for houses.
• Portable Appliance Test (PAT) - £150 Incl VAT Butler & Stag advise tesing every 3 years.
• Inventory & Check In Report - Depending on the size of your property, costs vary with increases based on additional bedrooms. Typically charges are; Between 0-3 bedrooms - £ 200 Incl VAT, 4 plus bedrooms properties £250 Incl VAT.
• Professional Clean - This is generally requested by most new tenants before move in. Its is worth remembering that once you have paid for the first professional clean, tenants will pay for an additional professional clean at the end of the tenancy, leaving the property ready for the next tenants. Prices vary depending on the size of the property.

Security deposits paid by tenants as part of a Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) must be protected by a recognised deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt. Butler & Stag will collect the deposit on your behalf and can register it for you. The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS).

Butler & Stag will accompany each viewing. If you prefer to be at home whist viewings take place this is fine, please be aware that the majority of tenants are more comfortable viewing whilst the landlord is out.

Our lettings consultants are trained to provide 24 hours feedback following each viewing. You can generally expect a call/email the following morning once they have had a chance to speak to each tenant. All feedback will be honest and constructive.