Property Management

KeyWest Estate Agents are a long established agent in the West End of Leicester with extensive knowledge of the current local rental market. We let and manage many properties throughout LE3 and the surrounding postcode areas of Leicester. We cover an area of Leicester that gives easy access to the Motorway Networks (M1 & M69), Leicester Train Station (Midland Mainline), Leicester City Centre, De Montfort University, Leicester University, Fosse Park & Meridian Park. Our corner aspect office is situated on Hinckley Road, on the right hand side 100m up from the junction with Narborough Road.

Providing a fully managed service

We help you attain the best return for your rental property and to get it rented to the right tenant - fast! KeyWest offer full property management which means that we take stress out of being a landlord. Simply hand us a set of keys to your property and we’ll do the rest for you. As landlords ourselves, we know what landlords want: good tenants, rent paid on time, the property looked after well and no unwanted hassle! KeyWest Estate Agents provide full property management service that ensures that you get what you want. Our comprehensive service includes the following:

Rental assessment:

A KeyWest assessor will visit your property and give you a free, no obligation assessment of the rental value of your property. During this visit we will give you a perspective of the current rental market in your area for your type of property you wish to rent. We will also give you free advice on how best to achieve the maximum rental for your property.

Photograph and advertise your property:

We take internal and external photographs of your property and produce details in full colour and place them in our office window located in a prominent position on the very busy Hinckley Road in the heart of the West End of Leicester. We regularly advertise properties in the Leicester Mercury ‘Find a Property’. KeyWest knows that whilst a property is not rented it is losing you money so we actively market your property until it is rented.

Match suitable tenants to your property:

Once you ask us to rent your property for you we match your property to suitable prospective tenants contained on our database. KeyWest receives many inquires on a daily basis from people wishing to view properties, ensuring your property will not lie empty for months.

Conduct viewings:

Once you have given us the keys to your property we will take prospective tenants to view the property. If you wish to conduct viewings yourself we will accompany prospective tenants for your security. You will be given feedback on all viewings be they successful or not.

Credit checks, employers and previous landlords references:

For your protection and to ensure you have the right tenants we check their credit history before agreeing to rent the property. In addition, KeyWest contacts the employers and previous landlords for references for the prospective tenants. For students we ask for a guarantor (usually their parents) for the full amount of rent for the term of the tenancy. This means that if the rent is not paid by the tenant, the guarantor is legally responsible for the full amount of outstanding rent.

Draw up Tenancy Agreements:

KeyWest draws up fully binding comprehensive tenancy agreements. The prospective tenant will have to pay one months rent in advance and the equivalent of one months rent as deposit before being allowed to move in to the property. We issue a NAEA tenancy agreement and can tailor this to suit your needs, for example to cover the issues of smokers/pet owners etc. The tenancy agreement covers both the landlord’s and tenant’s rights and is a fair means to establish a healthy working relationship while allowing the landlord strict protection against late payment of rent or abuse of the property.

Compile comprehensive inventory:

To protect your property and its contents KeyWest draws up a room by room inventory of all items in the property provided by the landlord. The condition of each item is noted and the inventory is then agreed and signed by the tenant. The inventory addresses cleanliness, décor, furniture, white goods, carpets and curtains. This prevents any disputes at the end of the tenancy.

Inform Council Tax and utility companies of new tenants:

To prevent the nuisance of letters demanding Council Tax and payment for unpaid utility bills left by previous tenants, KeyWest provides the details of any new tenants to Leicester City Council and Severn Trent Water. We set up tenants on gas and electricity contracts at the start of their tenancy ensuring all bills are paid throughout the term of the tenancy agreement.

Assist with installation of telephone, broadband & cable T.V.

A growing number of tenants (especially in student houses) require these services to be installed prior to renting. KeyWest can assist either you or your tenants in installing telephone, broadband or cable T.V. to your property. These services could make your property more desirable for renting. We will contact the appropriate company, informing them of the services you require. They will then contact you to arrange for a convenient time to install the services you require.

Collection of rent and promptly pay landlords:

KeyWest collects your rent from your tenants and passes on the due amount to you promptly. Unlike many agents, we have an automated system that flags up any late rent. We will contact any tenants that are late paying rent and request immediate payment. We realise that it is very important for you to receive your rent on time. KeyWest endeavours to ensure that each tenant signs up to a bank standing order agreement, prompting quick and efficient payment. Any late payment of rent is immediately detected and pursued. While tenants occasionally experience unforeseen personal circumstances, we work with them to ensure rental arrears are soon recovered, putting into place repayment schedules and agreements. We will keep you informed about any irregular situation that arises until it is resolved.

Regular inspections:

To ensure that your property is being looked after by your tenant we carry out regular inspections and compare it to your inventory. This helps to ensure the diligent maintenance of your property and alert KeyWest to any potential problems at an early stage.

Assistance and advice with problem tenants:

It is a reality that despite references and credit checks, occasionally landlords can be unfortunate enough to have problem tenants. Should this be the case KeyWest will endeavour to resolve any problems on your behalf. If we are still unable to conclude the matter we will advise you on the best course of action to take. We do offer a tenant a time period in which to repay arrears, should it be necessary, we can offer advice and assist in eviction. Naturally, should any further legal advice be required we have a Solicitor that can help you.

Arrange for tradesmen:

Should the property or your appliances require any maintenance or repairs we will inform you immediately. KeyWest will arrange for tradesmen to provide a quote or should you wish, you can arrange for the work to be carried out yourself. If the repair is an emergency and you are not contactable we will proceed with the minimum amount of work required to prevent endangering the property or the tenants. KeyWest have tradesmen who carry out the following and more:

Regular dialogue with landlords:

While we manage your property, we understand that you need to be kept informed of any matters pertaining to it. KeyWest will let you know when your Gas Safety Certificate and electrical safety inspection is due. With your permission, we carry out these inspections for you and automatically deduct the cost of the work from your next months rent. We will also contact you and your tenants at least one month before your tenancy agreement ends to see if you and they want to continue the tenancy. If you both wish to continue we will draw up new contracts for a small administration charge. If the tenants wish to leave after the tenancy period we will market your property at the earliest opportunity to avoid a vacant period of tenancy.

Final inspection before release of deposits:

On the date that tenants are due to leave a final inspection of the property is carried out and this is compared to the inventory compiled at the beginning of the tenancy to ensure that property and landlords goods are left in the same condition as they were at the start of the tenancy. Any damage caused by the tenant will be reported to you and the appropriate funds deducted from the tenants deposit before being returned.