Having been established in February 2001 CITYlets has a firm base and well respected position within the residential letting market of Brighton, Hove and the surrounding areas. With offices in Brighton and Peacehaven we are in the perfect position to service all areas along the South Coast from Shoreham to Seaford. 

At CITYlets we are committed to providing a professional and honest service to all our clients. This is exemplified by the fact that we are the first letting agent in the UK to have been approved by the trading standards Buy with Confidence Scheme.

 East Sussex County Council has approved our Peacehaven office under the Buy with Confidence scheme. You can confirm our accreditation on www.eastsussex.gov.uk/buywithconfidence

 
  Brighton & Hove City Council have approved our Brighton office under their Buy with Confidence scheme. Our accreditation is available to view on www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/brighton-hove/

We also believe that excellent communication is vital when providing a high quality service. Not only do we pride ourselves on having experienced and competent staff we are also members UKALA, DPS and the TDSL. This allows us as an agency to keep up to date on all legislation pertaining to the rental market and therefore enables us to communicate this knowledge to our clients. In our eyes communication is the key to successfully managing and maintaining both large portfolios and individual properties.

INTRO

This is an introduction service only. CITYlets will advertise your property, carry out full and comprehensive referencing, prepare and execute the Tenancy Agreement and collect the first months rent and deposit. After having successfully moved your tenants in we will then arrange transfer of all monies by automatic bank transfer to your designated account. From this point it will be up to you, the landlord, to collect all rent and handle any maintenance problems.

RENT COLLECTION

This service incorporates everything that is performed in the introductory service. Furthermore we will retain the deposit and collect the rent monthly in advance by standing order. The rent will then be paid to the Landlord by automatic bank transfer and accompanied by a statement of account. If required we will serve any appropriate legal notices and arrange the renewal or extension of the Tenancy. Tenants will contact you directly regarding any maintenance problems.

FULL MANAGEMENT

This is a popular package for Landlords that are going overseas and Landlords that do not want to have to deal with phonecalls in the middle of night complaining about a leaking tap! As well as all the normal procedures of tenant selection and rent collection we will handle all maintenance problems and enquiries. CITYlets have a number of reliable and trustworthy contractors and can deal with any situation in a calm and efficient manner. We will also carry out regular inspections of all Fully Managed properties and provide the Landlord with a full and comprehensive written report.

NOTE: The services that CITYlets provide are not set in stone. Our aim is to stop and listen to what it is that Landlords want. We are more than willing to tailor make a package around your specific requirements.

TAXATION

You will be liable to pay tax on any profit generated from letting your property after allowances have been deducted – the amount of tax you pay will depend upon your circumstances. For example, Agents fees may be offset as well as the cost of repairs or replacements at the property, which are not deemed to be improvements. It is the obligation of the Landlord to report the income received from the rent to the Inland Revenue.

If you are overseas for more than six months in any tax year, you will be regarded as a non-resident Landlord. The current legislation requires us to deduct and pay over to the Revenue tax at the basic rate unless we are in receipt of an exemption form from the Inland Revenue. Once the Revenue notifies us that you are exempt, we will no longer need to deduct tax.

MORTGAGES

If you do not have a Buy To Let mortgage you must inform your mortgage lender before allowing your property to rented. Furthermore if your property is leasehold you must check your lease to see if it contains any restrictions on renting and you must also inform your managing agents.

INSURANCE

As a Landlord you are still responsible for the building and accordingly the insurance. You must inform your insurance company as renting may alter the type of cover on your current policy. Please note that most buildings insurance will not cover the cost of replacing or repairing carpets if they become damaged. If the property is furnished or part furnished you may wish to consider contents insurance. (Quotations upon request)

FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED?

CITYlets let both furnished and unfurnished properties. In most cases we have found that there is very little difference in the rental values between furnished and unfurnished properties. It is important to note that the landlord’s legal rights remain the same whichever option is taken.

If you need any advice or help in this matter one of our property consultants will be happy to answer any questions or queries.

FINDING A TENANT

Each property is advertised extensively using local Newspapers, the CITYlets Website and other specialist property websites and property magazines that are distributed at the mainline railway stations in Brighton and London.

A member of our highly experienced CITYlets team accompanies all prospective tenants. If the property is occupied all appointments are made 24 hours in advance with the tenant.

Once the prospective tenant has decided they would like to rent the property they are interviewed and our administration department makes full credit and reference checks. In certain circumstances we require a guarantor the same credit and reference checks are made.

Once we are totally satisfied with the result of the referencing we will then go ahead with the tenancy.