Magna Carta Lettings

The Council have now launched a new Social Lettings Agency called Magna Carta Lettings.

Under this, Landlords will be able to take advantage of two new schemes:

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) Management Service

(An equivalent service to the high street letting agents’ full management service.)

Under this service the council will provide:

* A Bond to cover any damage and/or abandonment expenses for the lifetime of the tenancy:
o £1,500 for a one bedroom property
o £2,500 for a two bedroom property
o £3,500 for a three bedroom property
o £4,500 for a four bedroom property

* Guaranteed rent paid in advance.

* Free maintenance repairs up to the value of £250 per year.

* Free management service:
o We will accompany prospective tenants during viewings
o We will provide and Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement and undertake sign up with the tenant
o We will undertake inventory reports at check in and check out
o We will undertake quarterly property inspections
Tenancy sustainment
o Reporting of day to day repairs and at your request we can arrange for works to be completed with our approved contractors with costs deducted from you guaranteed monthly rent payments.
o We work in partnership with The National Landlords Association and can offer you free Associate Membership to the NLA

(To qualify for the free management service the landlord must agree to let their property with Runnymede Borough Council for a minimum of two years)

Direct Lettings Scheme

(An enhanced equivalent of a high street lettings agents’ Tenant Find service.)

Under this service the council will provide: -
• A Bond or Deposit to cover damage, abandonment and/or outstanding rent equivalent to 3 months’ rent, for the lifetime of the tenancy.
• Cash incentive paid to secure a letting for a minimum of two years
o £1,000 for a one bedroom property
o £2,000 for a two bedroom property
o £3,000 for a three bedroom property
o £4,000 for a four bedroom property
• First month’s rent paid in advance
• Free Landlord Rent Guarantee Cover
• Free of charge lettings service
o We will accompany prospective tenants during viewings
o We will provide an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement if requested
o We will undertake inventory reports at check in and check out
o We work in partnership with The National Landlords Association and can offer you free Associate Membership to the NLA

(To qualify for the incentive payment the landlord must agree to let their property with Runnymede Borough Council for a minimum of two years)

Landlords are legally required to provide: -
• An annual Gas Safety Certificate (if your property has gas provision).
• An Energy Performance Certificate EPC (valid for 10 years from initial assessment).
• A smoke alarm on every floor of the property.
• A carbon monoxide alarm in those properties which burn solid fuel.
• Provide new tenants with a How to Rent Leaflet

In addition to the two schemes, we will offer a finders fee of £150 to Landlords who recommend other landlords to us and where a letting is achieved.

For more information on the options available to Private Landlords please call James Hunt on 01932 425870, use the contact form, or email james.hunt@runnymede.gov.uk.