Lettings

If you’re considering renting out your home or another property you own, one of the most cost-effective and time-saving choices is to entrust the process to a team of experienced letting and management professionals with deep expertise in the residential rental market.

Home Minders has been letting and managing homes across Central and Greater London for over 35 years. In that time, we’ve built a strong reputation for being friendly, approachable, and completely dependable letting agent and residential management company, always acting in the best interests of our clients.

What to Expect
with Home Minders?

To get started, one of our experienced team members will visit your property to carry out a rental assessment. We’ll consider factors such as statutory regulations, property size, condition, location, and the quality of fixtures and fittings.

If you’d prefer to manage the tenancy yourself, we can offer a tailored Let-Only Service—which includes marketing your property, sourcing suitable tenants, handling all necessary documentation, and setting up the tenancy agreement.

Presenting Your Property

When prospective tenants view your property, they’ll naturally compare it to others on the market. The condition and presentation of your home can significantly impact both its rental value and how quickly it is let. First impressions really do matter.

To ensure your property is presented at its best, we recommend the following:

Decor should be light, modern, and neutral wherever possible, be prepared to redecorate if needed
Carpets should be clean and in a neutral tone
Kitchens and bathrooms should be well-presented and ideally
modern, with white bathroom suites
The entire property should be thoroughly cleaned, with rooms
left tidy and uncluttered
Gardens should be neat, tidy, and easy to maintain
Any minor maintenance issues should be addressed before marketing the property

London roots. Long-standing results.

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Choosing the Right
Property to Let

If you’re investing in a buy-to-let property, success often starts with choosing the right property for the local tenant market. Consider who typically lives in the area—such as busy professionals, couples, or single occupants—and focus on features they’re likely to prioritise, such as:

A two- or three-bedroom flat or house
Good transport links
Minimal or low-maintenance outdoor space

Before you commit to a purchase, ensure the property complies with all health and safety regulations. Otherwise, you could be faced with unexpected costs to replace items such as boilers, gas fires, or other appliances before letting.

Tenancy Agreements

The tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between the landlord and the tenant. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties and sets the framework for a smooth tenancy.

Each agreement clearly defines key terms, including:

The amount of rent and payment schedule
The length of the tenancy
Responsibilities for repairs and maintenance
The deposit amount, its purpose, and how it is protected
When and under what circumstances the landlord may enter
the property
Any conditions or restrictions regarding the use of the property

At Home Minders, we use only industry-recognised standard agreements, ensuring they are:

Fully compliant with current legislation
Tailored to meet the specific needs of each tenancy
Suitable for both private tenancies and company lets, where
required

Regulatory Compliance

As a landlord, you have legal responsibilities to ensure your property is safe, secure, and compliant with current regulations. These obligations cover areas such as fire safety, gas and electrical safety, and data protection.

Failure to comply can lead to significant fines—and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. At Home Minders, we’re here to guide you through every step, offering clear advice and practical support to help you meet all legal requirements with confidence.

Fire Safety
All furniture and furnishings provided in a rental property must comply with fire resistance regulations. We’ll advise on what’s acceptable and what may need replacing.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): A valid EPC is a legal requirement for all rental properties. It measures energy efficiency and must be available to prospective tenants. Home Minders can arrange this on your behalf.

Gas Safety
It is a legal obligation for landlords to ensure all gas appliances and fixed installations are inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Home Minders will organise Gas Safety Certificates using approved contractors.

A valid certificate must be in place before we can release keys to any tenant at check-in.

For more details, visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Landlords must ensure that all electrical systems and fixed installations in a rental property are safe to use.
A valid EICR is legally required for all new and existing tenancies and must be renewed at least every five years.

Copies must be made available to tenants, agents, or local authorities within 30 days upon request. Home Minders can arrange this inspection for you.

Data Protection (ICO Registration)
If you handle or store personal data (e.g. tenant information), you may be required to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under the Data Protection (Charges and Information) Regulations 2018.

Unless exempt, landlords must pay a data protection fee to the ICO. Home Minders can advise you on your obligations and help ensure your compliance.

Tax advice for overseas landlords

If you’re considered non-resident for UK tax purposes, you are legally required to pay UK Income Tax on any rental income received from property in the UK, as set out in the Finance Act 1995.

Unless Home Minders receives a valid Exemption Certificate from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), authorising us to pay your rental income gross (without tax deduction), we are legally obliged to deduct tax at the prevailing rate and remit these funds to HMRC on a quarterly basis.

Applying for an Exemption Certificate

While landlords are responsible for applying for their own exemption, Home Minders can assist by:

Explaining the process clearly
Supplying the necessary forms
Guiding you through the application step-by-step

Please note: Exemption Certificates are not transferable between agents—a new certificate must be obtained if you change agents.

Got any questions?
We’ve got answers.

Why do I need an agent?

Of course, there is nothing to stop a Landlord acting without an agent. However, there are many legal requirements that a Landlord has to fulfil; failure to comply with these may result in criminal prosecution. Our staff are trained to understand these requirements and have systems in place to ensure they are complied with. We have facilities to properly vet a potential tenant, allowing you to make the right choice.

How do Home Minders assist with the rental process?

They help tenants find properties that match their requirements, arrange convenient viewing times, ensure properties are in good condition, handle all legal requirements, and facilitate smooth move-in and move-out processes.

Is Home Minders affiliated with any professional bodies?

Yes, Home Minders is a registered SAFEagent, indicating that they protect landlords’ and tenants’ money through client money protection schemes. A full list of associated professional bodies can be found in the footer of this website.

How can I make my property more attractive to potential new tenants?

In a competitive market, to achieve the highest rent and attract the best tenants, Landlords must recognise the importance of presenting their property in the best possible way in order to make it more appealing. Here are just a few tips that will help create more demand for your property:

Neutral colours are best for the interior walls – Ideally, flooring should be wooden, laminate or plain carpets.
Choose fabrics and furnishings (if any) that can withstand reasonable wear and tear.
Keep your whole property clean and well-aired and give the garden (if any) a tidy.
Put the heating on when the weather is cold and open windows when it is hot.

How are tenancy deposits handled?

In line with legislation, HomeMinders registers all suitable deposits with a deposit protection scheme on behalf of landlords and tenants.

How is the rent paid?

Typically, a standing order is set up from the tenant’s bank account, and the rent will be paid in advance directly to Home Minders. Our fully computerised systems mean that, once the monies have ‘cleared’ through the banking system, the rent is paid by BACS directly into the account of your choice. A detailed statement of account is naturally part of our service.

What sort of agreement is used?

In the majority of cases, it will be what is called an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement for a fixed period of at least 6 months.

What happens if the tenant doesn't pay the rent?

As part of our service, we endeavour to ensure that the rent is paid on time. Having carefully selected the tenant in the first place, it’s unlikely to be a problem. However, people’s circumstances do sometimes change during a tenancy, and if the rent is not paid, we’ll advise you on the appropriate course of action.