Landlord FAQs
Q. Why use Housing Action in the first place?
A. Housing Action not only offers a VOIDLESS AND DEBT FREE Management scheme, but owns and maintains their own portfolio of properties, so we speak "Landlord" and understand your needs on every level.
You will never have to be concerned about collecting the rent, all you need do is sit back and relax. You will always receive your guaranteed rent payments on time as they are paid directly from us to our landlords.
Let us worry about the inconvenient and time consuming daily issues involved in tenancy management and utilise your time more profitably be it for business or leisure.
Q. How much rent do Housing Action pay?
A. Our payment rates are based on LHA (Local Housing Allowance) and this varies depending on the location of your property and how many bedrooms you have. For specific properties, please call us on 0845 257 0903 and we will give the current rate for that property.
Q. Who is responsible for what?
A. The general rule is, if the tenant broke it we fix it, otherwise we will advice you of the issue and offer to arrange quotations and oversee any works required.
Q. How does the service work?
A. We take responsibility for the tenancy by leasing direct from Landlords in the Private sector. This enables us to house people who may not otherwise have the opportunity for a home of their own. We take all the risks regarding Housing Benefits and our property management team deals with any rent issues.
We will make regular visits to the property and conduct monthly property inspections to ensure that the property is well maintained throughout the tenancy. Unless you have agreed otherwise, we will always ask for your approval before any work is carried out.
Q. How long have we been letting properties?
A. We have 20 years experience working with tenants and landlords in the private sector including managing and letting our own properties. Our service employs full time property managers who will deal with every day issues on your behalf and we have an excellent track record within the Private Rental sector. We work in partnership with many local authorities and have a enviable reputation for quality of service and communication amongst them.
Q. My property needs work and I can't afford to update it, can you help?
Yes with can schedule a scheme of works and deduct the costs from the rent.
Q. How do we select our tenants?
A. As the first rule of successful letting is finding reliable tenants, we do not base our decisions purely on historical credit reports. Prospective tenants have to undertake a 360 degree financial review including a thorough budgeting calculation to ensure that they can afford to pay the rent as well as manage the tenancy effectively. We do keep a very close eye on your property though with monthly inspections as standard.
Q. What if the tenant stops paying the rent?
A. This will not affect our payments to you. With us as your tenant your rent is guaranteed to continue to be paid monthly in advance.
Q. What tenants do we usually let to?
A. Primarily single people and couples with restricted access to the housing market through the financial burden of finding deposits and rent in advance or due to dependence on the Local Housing Allowance for Housing Benefits.
Q. What happens if the tenant causes any problems in the property?
A. Should any problems arise our staff, are highly trained and skilled. The tenant we select for your property will have been carefully screened and we provide support and supervision to help them achieve a successful tenancy.
Q. What are the Landlords financial benefits?
A. In an unpredictable Property Market you can now take steps to eliminate voids and secure your investment through a guaranteed income.
Q. Does HOUSING ACTION have a list of tenants waiting for properties?
A. YES.
Q. What is considered to be appropriate Housing?
A. We initially need to ensure that all the properties we rent are of a basic, safe and decent standard as advised by the Local Authority. The rent we charge to our tenant must be within the criteria set by the Broad Rental Market levels in the area that we are operating and will be at local housing allowance levels.
Q. How quickly can you let my property?
A. Quickly, once we have inspected your property and completed the paperwork. We take out a modified commercial lease with you as our primary Landlord and then sublet the property to a tenant from our waiting list on an Assured Short hold Tenancy.
Q. What are the charges?
A. They vary depending on how many properties you have, but are a lot less than traditional letting agents. For further details specific to your portfolio, please call us on 0845 257 0903.