Whichever service you choose, Frost Letting & Management Ltd will provide you with a rental evaluation, references for all potential tenants, correctly drawn up legal paperwork and negotiation of the terms of the tenancy in line with your instructions.

About ARLA

This page has been designed to aid landlords who are looking to let their property through a residential letting agency and consists of questions that every landlord should ask and the answers they should receive.

Why is it so important to use an ARLA agent?

ARLA is the only professional and regulatory body solely concerned with residential lettings. It keeps members up-to-date with changes in legislation and the many other requirements for a successful lettings practice. ARLA members are governed by Principles of Professional Conduct providing a framework of ethical and professional standards at a level far higher than the law demands.

In order to comply with ARLA's membership requirements, an ARLA member will have been formally interviewed to confirm their business meets our stringent code of conduct, holds separate client accounts and demonstrate these are professionally managed and audited; holds professional indemnity insurance cover to comply with the requirements of ARLA's Fidelity Bond; and offers a full management service to landlords in addition to letting and rent collection.

What is ARLA's Fidelity Bond?

The ARLA Fidelity Bond is designed as a protection of first resort for monies entrusted to ARLA members by landlords and tenants during the ordinary course of their business as letting agents.

In the event of proven theft or fraud of client monies by a member agent or its staff, if you cannot recover monies deposited with the agent during its period of membership of ARLA from the agent and the agent's own insurance does not cover the loss, you may make a claim to ARLA for reimbursement of the money you have lost.

What are the fee structures for letting agents? Do you charge me or the tenant?

Obviously fees vary and each letting agent will have their own scale of charges and terms and conditions of business. They cover letting the property; or letting and rent collection; or letting and full management. The landlord is the ARLA member's client and fees are paid by you as a percentage of rental income according to the scale of charges. You should ask for a copy.

What do you do for your money?

Introduce and vet prospective tenants; prepare the tenancy agreements; advise on Inventories, changes to utility accounts and Council Tax; collect the rent and pay the balances to the landlord's account. When retained on management: pay bills for the landlord, regularly inspect the property, recommending, overseeing and accounting for necessary maintenance.

What kind of tenancy agreement should you use?

An ARLA member will use tenancy agreements that comply with the Housing Act 1988, or under contract law for bona fide companies and/or rental values over £25,000 a year. Most members will have their own 'in-house' tenancy agreement drafted by solicitors, incorporating clauses covering the potential problem areas experienced agents recognise. These agreements should be far more comprehensive than the standard printed agreements bought for self-completion and are regularly up-dated to take account of changes in legislation.

Is letting safe? Can I get my property back?

Yes. It's safe provided the tenancy agreements are properly drawn up and the correct Notices served. Then, in those cases where legal action is needed for repossession the court should make an order in the landlord's favour. New Accelerated Court Procedures speed up the process, without the necessity for a court hearing and take the hassle out of the very occasional problem.

What if the tenant wants to extend the term of the let?

This is very common, presenting no problem provided both parties agree and a professional agent conducts the negotiations and prepares the necessary paperwork and renewal documentation.

What about inventories?

These are essential and it is recommended that an inventory is made by a professional to avoid omissions or errors. They should always be made at the start and finish of the tenancy to identify missing items, breakage's and damages liable to be covered out of the tenant's deposit.

Obvious legislation aside, what other regulations could affect me?

Regulations are constantly changing, particularly with regard to safety. Currently these cover furnishings, gas and electrical installations. An ARLA member agent will be able to advise you about compliance with these new and difficult regulations. New regulations came into force in 1996 on responsibility for tax liabilities on rental income for non-U.K. resident landlords. Again, your ARLA agent will advise you of your liabilities and the procedures to be followed to satisfy the Inland Revenue.

What insurance covers can protect a landlord?

There are two types of cover for use when letting property: Legal expenses cover, available to most landlords, and rental insurance cover, available through some agents, calculated as a percentage of the rent achieved. You must be certain to insure your property for letting and the possible empty periods between lets.

What does your agent do if it all goes wrong?

Solicitors have to be instructed on your behalf to take the tenant to court to regain possession, or correct whatever breach of contract the tenant has committed. An experienced agent will know when this is unavoidable, will advise of likely costs and timescales, can instruct solicitors on your behalf, make all appropriate files available to them, appear as a witness and do everything to facilitate a speedy solution.

As a landlord or a tenant, I want to know, What is Management?

Management is a service provided by the agent to protect and maintain a property to the standard it was in at the beginning of the tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted. It includes all maintenance and running repairs, except for those items that are clearly the tenant's responsibility. These were expressed by Lord Denning when he said "The tenant must take proper care of the premises...he must do the little jobs around the house which a reasonable tenant would do". Both Landlord and tenant should clearly understand whether or not management services have been agreed at the outset.

In the event of unresolved disputes, ARLA can offer an arbitration service for landlords and tenants who use ARLA member firms.

What are the ARLA Membership Requirements?

There are stringent requirements for membership of the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

A firm must satisfy the Association at interview of its competence and ability to operate to our Principles of Professional Conduct

• All member firms must carry Professional Indemnity Insurance to a required standard.
• Separate client accounts must be held.
• Commissions for letting property may only be obtained from landlords.
• Business must be carried out from a properly designated business premises
• All ARLA members most lodge a copy of their professional Indemnity Insurance policy with the Association to comply with the requirements of the Associations Fidelity Bond.

This ARLA page is intended as a guide only to illustrate the questions that should be asked by the landlords and tenants when first approaching a letting agent. It is a guide to good practice but practices may vary from agent to agent.