Question 1

Letting Your Property with Marlborough Homes

Accepted Answer

Letting a property successfully involves much more than advertising it and finding someone who wants to move in.At Marlborough Homes, we manage the letting process from the initial rental valuation through to marketing, viewings, offers, referencing and preparation for move-in.Professional MarketingFirst impressions matter. We aim to present every property professionally and generate interest from suitable prospective tenants.Depending on the property, our marketing can include professional high-resolution photography, detailed floorplans, immersive virtual tours, online property advertising, our registered applicant database, email alerts, digital marketing and exposure through mbhomes.co.uk.Viewings & OffersWe arrange and accompany prospective tenants on viewings wherever applicable.When an applicant wishes to proceed, we obtain the relevant information and present the proposed tenancy to you for consideration.You remain involved in the decision-making process before we proceed with the tenancy.Tenant ReferencingGood referencing is an important part of reducing risk.Our referencing process may include:Identity verificationRight to Rent checksAffordability and credit checksEmployment and income verificationPrevious landlord/agent referencesGuarantor referencing where appropriateWe work with Goodlord, providing applicants with a convenient online application and referencing process.Preparing for Move-InOnce an applicant has been approved, we coordinate the appropriate pre-tenancy administration, which can include tenancy documentation, permitted initial payments, deposit arrangements, compliance documentation and check-in arrangements.

Question 2

LANDLORD COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Accepted Answer

Helping Landlords Stay InformedBeing a landlord brings significant legal and safety responsibilities.Depending on your property, location and type of tenancy, requirements can include gas and electrical safety, EPCs, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection, Right to Rent, repairs, property condition, damp and mould, furniture safety, property licensing and HMO requirements.Key Areas to ConsiderGas SafetyWhere gas is supplied, appropriate gas safety requirements must be met, including the required safety inspections.Electrical SafetyLandlords must ensure the electrical installation meets the applicable safety standards and arrange the required inspection and testing.Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)Rental properties generally require a valid EPC and must meet applicable minimum energy-efficiency requirements unless a valid exemption applies.Smoke & Carbon Monoxide AlarmsThe appropriate alarms must be installed and maintained in accordance with current requirements.DepositsWhere a tenancy deposit is taken, it must be dealt with in accordance with the applicable tenancy deposit protection requirements.Property ConditionLandlords have responsibilities relating to repairs, hazards and the general condition of a rented property.Property LicensingDepending on the property and local authority, a Selective, Additional or Mandatory HMO licence may be required.Renters' RightsThe Renters' Rights reforms have significantly changed the way private tenancies in England are managed.Good record-keeping, correct documentation and following the appropriate procedures have therefore become even more important.How Marlborough Homes Can HelpFor our managed properties, we can help monitor key compliance dates, remind landlords when action is required and arrange many inspections and certificates where authorised.

Question 3

PROPERTY LICENSING

Accepted Answer

Does Your Rental Property Need a Licence?Property licensing is one of the areas landlords can easily overlook because requirements can differ considerably between local authorities.Across London and Essex, councils operate various Selective, Additional and Mandatory HMO licensing schemes.Whether your property requires a licence can depend on its:LocationNumber of occupiersNumber of householdsProperty typeLocal authority licensing schemeSelective LicensingSelective licensing can require privately rented properties within designated areas to be licensed even when they are occupied by a single household.Additional HMO LicensingSome councils operate additional licensing schemes covering HMOs that fall outside mandatory HMO licensing.Mandatory HMO LicensingCertain HMOs are subject to mandatory national licensing requirements.How We Can HelpMarlborough Homes can assist landlords in identifying potential licensing requirements and, where instructed, help prepare and submit licence applications.Local authority licence fees are separate from any Marlborough Homes application or administration fee.Because licensing schemes change, landlords should check the requirements applying to the specific property and local authority rather than assuming a previous licence decision applies to another property.

Question 4

RENT PROTECTION

Accepted Answer

Protecting Your Rental IncomeEven a carefully referenced tenant can experience an unexpected change in circumstances.Job loss, relationship changes, financial difficulties or other events can affect a tenant's ability to pay their rent.For a landlord relying on rental income to meet mortgage payments and other property costs, arrears can quickly become a significant problem.Rent Protection & Legal ExpensesMarlborough Homes can provide information about available Rent Protection and Legal Expenses products, subject to eligibility and the individual policy's terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.Depending on the product, protection may assist with rental arrears and certain legal costs associated with recovering possession or pursuing unpaid rent.Insurance should not be viewed as a replacement for good tenant referencing and professional tenancy management. Instead, it can provide an additional layer of protection.

Question 5

FULL MANAGEMENT

Accepted Answer

Property Management Without the Day-to-Day HassleOur Fully Managed Service is designed for landlords who want Marlborough Homes to look after the day-to-day management of their property and tenancy.We become the principal point of contact for the tenant, allowing you to remain informed without having to deal with every routine enquiry yourself.Our Management Service Can IncludeRent Collection – monitoring and collecting the monthly rent.Tenant Communication – acting as the tenant's main point of contact.Maintenance Management – receiving maintenance reports and coordinating appropriate contractors.Compliance Reminders – helping monitor important safety and compliance dates.Property Inspections – arranging periodic inspections subject to appropriate access arrangements.Inspection Reports – written and photographic reporting where applicable.Statements & Invoices – providing landlords with clear financial records.Deposit Administration – managing deposits in accordance with the applicable arrangements.Tenancy Administration – helping manage the ongoing administration associated with the tenancy.Landlord Portal – convenient online access to relevant property information.These are all services already identified in your existing Marlborough Homes material.Periodic Property InspectionsInspections can help identify visible maintenance concerns, monitor the general condition of the property and highlight matters requiring your attention.An inspection is not a structural survey and cannot identify every hidden defect, but it is an important part of proactive property management.

Question 6

LET ONLY

Accepted Answer

Professional Letting – You Manage the TenancyOur Let Only Service is ideal for experienced or hands-on landlords who want Marlborough Homes to find and set up a suitable tenant but prefer to manage the ongoing tenancy themselves.The service can include professional property marketing, accompanied viewings, applicant qualification, referencing, Right to Rent checks, landlord approval, tenancy documentation, collection of permitted initial monies, compliance guidance and check-in arrangements where instructed.After the Tenant Moves InOnce our Let Only service has been completed and the property handed back to you, you will be responsible for the ongoing management of the tenancy.This includes matters such as repairs, future rent collection, tenant communication, statutory compliance and deposit responsibilities where applicable.If you would rather Marlborough Homes handle these responsibilities, our Fully Managed Service may be more appropriate.

Question 7

LANDLORD PORTAL

Accepted Answer

Your Property Information – 24/7 Being kept informed is an important part of professional property managementOur landlord portal provides convenient online access to information relating to your property wherever you are.Depending on the service provided, information available may include:Marketing activity • Viewing feedback • Offers • Tenancy information • Property inspections • Statements • Invoices • Property documentsThe portal gives landlords greater visibility while our team remains available when you need to speak to someone directly.Modern technology backed by personal service.

Question 8

LANDLORD FEES & CHARGES

Accepted Answer

Landlord Fees & ServicesStraightforward Fees. Professional Service. No Hidden Maintenance Mark-Ups.At Marlborough Homes, we believe in clear and transparent pricing. Whether you simply need us to find the right tenant or would prefer us to manage your property from start to finish, our services can be tailored to suit you.Our experienced team will help you market your property, find and reference suitable tenants, manage compliance and, where instructed, look after the tenancy throughout.Let Only Service7% + VAT of the first 12 months’ rentTotal: 8.4% including VATOur Let Only service is designed for landlords who want Marlborough Homes to find and set up the tenancy but are comfortable managing the property themselves once the tenant has moved in.What's IncludedRental valuation and market adviceProfessional property marketingAdvertising across leading property portalsEnquiry managementArranging and conducting viewingsOffer negotiationTenant referencing and affordability checksRight to Rent checksTenancy agreement preparationCollection of initial moniesArranging the tenant's move-inHandover to the landlord for ongoing managementExampleFor a property achieving £2,000 pcm:Annual rent: £24,000 Let Only fee at 7%: £1,680 VAT at 20%: £336Total Let Only Fee: £2,016 including VATThe Let Only fee is calculated on the first 12 months' gross rent.Full Management Service10% + VAT of the monthly rentTotal: 12% including VATOur Full Management service is designed for landlords who want the convenience and reassurance of having Marlborough Homes look after the day-to-day management of their property and tenancy.What's IncludedEverything included within our tenant-find serviceRent collection and monitoringTenant communicationMaintenance reporting and coordinationContractor liaisonRoutine property inspectionsLandlord updatesCompliance and safety certificate remindersTenancy administrationDeposit administrationRent review assistanceTenancy renewal and continuation administrationCheck-out coordinationOngoing landlord supportExampleFor a property achieving £2,000 pcm:Monthly rent: £2,000 Management fee at 10%: £200 VAT at 20%: £40Total Monthly Management Fee: £240 including VATEquivalent to 12% of the monthly rent including VAT.One-Off Full Management Set-Up Fee£420 + VATTotal: £504 including VATIn addition to the monthly Full Management fee, a one-off set-up fee of £504 including VAT is payable when a property is first placed onto our Full Management service.This is a one-off charge. It is not charged monthly and is not an annual recurring fee.The set-up fee covers the initial administration required to establish the property and tenancy on our management system, including:Landlord and property onboardingSetting up property and landlord recordsCompliance documentation reviewSafety certificate reviewTenancy records and documentationRent and payment schedule set-upDeposit administration arrangementsMaintenance and contractor recordsInitial management administrationIn Simple TermsFor a property renting at £2,000 pcm:One-off set-up fee: £504 inc. VAT Ongoing management: £240 inc. VAT per monthThe £504 set-up fee is only charged once when the property joins our Full Management service.No Mark-Up on MaintenanceYou pay the contractor's cost – not an inflated maintenance bill.Where Marlborough Homes arranges maintenance on behalf of a managed landlord, we do not add a percentage or commission to the contractor's invoice.We believe maintenance costs should be transparent and landlords should know what they are paying for.Inventory & Check-InA professional inventory provides an important record of the condition and contents of the property at the beginning of a tenancy.1-bedroom property: £140 + VAT = £168 inc. VATEach additional bedroom: £15 + VAT = £18 inc. VATLarger, substantially furnished or unusual properties may require an individual quotation.Property Compliance & SafetyMarlborough Homes can assist landlords with arranging the certificates and assessments required for their rental property.Service Total Cost Gas Safety Certificate£95 inc. VATEICR – Electrical Safety CertificateFrom £168 inc. VATEnergy Performance Certificate (EPC)£175 inc. VATLegionella Risk Assessment£198 inc. VATWhere an inspection identifies remedial works or additional requirements, these will be quoted separately.Additional Landlord ServicesWe can also arrange or assist with a range of additional property and tenancy services, including:Professional cleaningCheck-out reportsAdditional property inspectionsProperty licensing applicationsRent & Legal ProtectionSmoke and carbon monoxide alarm complianceKey cutting and replacementMaintenance and contractor coordinationDeposit administrationTenancy variationsPossession and legal process coordination where requiredWhere an additional service is provided by an independent contractor or third-party supplier, the applicable cost will be confirmed before instruction wherever practicable.Our Fees at a GlanceService Fee + VAT Total Including VATLet Only 7%8.4%Full Management 10%12%Full Management Set-Up – One-Off£420£5041-Bed Inventory & Check-In£140£168Each Additional Bedroom£15£18Let Only: Percentage calculated against the first 12 months' gross rent.Full Management: Percentage calculated against the monthly gross rent.Management Set-Up: One-off charge when commencing the Full Management service.

Question 9

Top Tips

Accepted Answer

Start with an accurate valuationA professional rental valuation should be based on strong, up-to-date comparable evidence and current tenant demand — not simply the highest figure suggested.Don’t just find a tenant — find the right tenantThere can be a significant difference between accepting the first applicant and having an agent who actively works to secure the best suitable tenant and terms for your property.Never underestimate referencingThorough tenant referencing, affordability checks and Right to Rent checks are an essential part of reducing risk and helping to prevent problems later in the tenancy.Presentation mattersClean, well-presented and well-maintained properties generally attract stronger interest and encourage tenants to look after their new home from the outset.Inspect throughout the tenancyRegular property inspections help identify maintenance concerns early, monitor the general condition of the property and provide landlords with greater peace of mind.Choose an agent who treats your property like an assetYour property may be one of your most valuable investments. You’re trusting someone else to live in it — so choose an agent who takes the same care in marketing, tenant selection, compliance and management as you would.Marlborough Homes — protecting your property, your income and your investment.

Grow Your Rental Income

Your Landlord Guide: Free Download

How We Manage Your Property

Landlord Information

OUR LETTING SERVICE

Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – What You Need to Know

Ready to Let Your Property?

20+

100%

Fast

No Sale, No Fee

Get in Touch

What customers are saying