The Hunters Guide to

Letting Your Property.

SALES / LETTINGS / MANAGEMENT / HUNTERS.COM

Welcome to Hunters

Hunters is one of the UK’s fastest growing, estate and lettings agency networks. We established our business in 1992 on firm principles of excellent customer service, unrivalled proactivity and achieving the best possible results for our clients. We are one the largest estate agency franchise networks with branches throughout the country. We specialise in selling, letting, management and marketing of property and guarantee to bring only genuine, qualified tenants and buyers to your door. Our interlinked national network ensures that we match the right applicant to your property – regardless of whether they live next door or on the opposite side of the country. All tenants and buyers registered with us will be contacted within 24 hours of your property being marketed.

Carrie Alliston, Head of Lettings

At Hunters we are able to offer peace of mind and assurance that all the policies, procedures and the way we operate will protect landlords and provide tenants with the duty of care they expect.

Our experience and knowledge of the lettings market combined with a real drive and passion for what we do means we always strive to get our landlords the best possible rents. And our figures show that we are able to deliver this time and time again.

Discover the Hunters difference

We have independently owned branches

There is real value to our customers in working with independently owned franchised branches. These are run by business owners who are experts in their own local area, yet at the same time benefit from being a Hunters Partner.

We have trained letting agents & property managers

All of the Hunters Training Academy programmes are accredited by the ILM and City & Guilds. Hunters agents are fully trained and work to professional standards and ethics.

We have happy customers!

Every tenancy is followed up by a Customer Service Team to ensure that we deliver on our promises. Our survey results show that 99.5% of our customers said they were happy with our services.*

We have employed Hunters over the last year to help manage our property. I have nothing but high praise for their professionalism and eagerness to solve any problems. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.Mr T, Landlord

A national network wth independently owned franchised branches.

* On average 99.5% of Hunters lettings customers who responded to our Customer Service Team between Jan-Nov 2015 said they were happy with our services.

Proactive approachIf location is the most important thing when looking for a property, then being proactive is the most important thing when it comes to securing an applicant for it. Proactivity is something required from all Hunters people; for us, there’s no such thing as the extra mile. If we’re not routinely doing the best we can for you, we’re not doing our job. This approach ensures we generate maximum interest in your property in the shortest possible time. Tenant and buyer competition is key to achieving the best possible price for you.

Feedback & communicationIt is not enough that we work hard to find you the next tenant for your property, we believe that it is vital that you are kept informed every step of the way right through to the beginning of a new tenancy. We endeavour to contact all of our landlords once their tenancy has been completed and carry out a customer satisfaction survey designed to highlight any potential areas for improvement in our service standard. This ensures we are always listening to our customers’ needs and wants.

Staff training & the ‘Hunters difference’

The Hunters Training Academy was the first estate and letting agent nationally to win accreditation by the Institute of Leadership & Management and the City & Guilds organisation. Excellent people achieve excellent results and our people undergo full training. That is the Hunters difference.

Maximum online coverage

We understand the need for excellence in online marketing. Our intuitive and mobile responsive website is key to the profiling of your property and is an example of our commitment to the fast-paced changes in online technology. Hunters is a market leader in communications and technology and we take great pride in being at the forefront of the latest developments in our industry. Hunters properties are all profiled on the top property websites.

National networkHunters’ customers benefit from our diverse national network. We are experienced in letting, managing and selling all types of property for all kinds of clients, from swish city centre apartments to sprawling rural retreats. Furthermore, our offices are linked, so when you instruct your local office you are actually instructing our entire national network.

Why Hunters?

High profile and extensive network

The most exposure and coverage your property receives, the quicker we will be able to secure a tenant for you. That’s why it’s important that our offices are located in prime locations. Our offices are able to provide details of your property to potential tenants whether they are local or on relocation from around the country.

We cater for

• Company relocations• Corporate clients • Portfolio landlords

We are

Professional agents

A national networkOur interlinked national network ensures that we match the right applicant to your property – regardless of whether they live next door or on the opposite side of the country.

All tenants and buyers registered with us will be contacted within 24 hours of your property being marketed.

Professional letting agents with membership of accredited industry bodies & awards for our commitment to excellence.

* All Hunters branches are members of The Property Ombusman. All other memberships vary by branch. Not all branches are currently part of The SAFEagent/NALS/ARLA schemes.

Commitment to innovation & technology

Consumer habits are constantly changing. Landlords, vendors, tenants & buyers now expect more from their letting or estate agent than ever before, which is why we utilise technology to ensure that people can access your property details whenever and however they want to. High quality digital property details, a mobile responsive website, phone apps, QR codes - these are marketing tools we use in addition to the expected to target more applicants and generate more interest for your property.

Moving you since ‘92We’ve seen our business grow rapidly since opening our first branch in 1992. The last 20 years have given us invaluable experience during what has been the most radical and dynamic period in estate agency – the growth and penetration of the PC, internet, email, mobile and social media, along with the biggest ‘boom and bust’ in both house price and transaction volume. This has allowed us to blend traditional customer service values with fast-changing technology, consumer attitudes and market conditions.

A helping hand

for children and families in times of need

Giving BackWe encourage all our branches to support local charities, sport and good causes and have contributed over £300,000 in the last 10 years in sponsorship and donations.

A proactive & co-ordinated strategy

We have a miniumum standard of 6-9 images to ensure optimum

interest in your property.

Marketing by emailDetails of your property are delivered to existing applicants at the touch of a button, within 24 hours of coming onto the market. Guaranteed!

Hot applicant listOur unique ‘Hot Applicant’ list provides us with instant access to those prospective tenants who are ready and waiting to move. These applicants will be contacted as soon as we have received your signed terms of business.

Hunters.comWhen you instruct us, details of your property will be listed on our intuitive and fully mobile responsive website, profiling your property in the best way and reaching as many potential tenants as possible. Our website gets an average of 190,000 visits per month.*

Property portalsAlongside hunters.com we advertise your property on all of the major property portals including Rightmove & Zoopla.

AdvertisingYour property will be submitted for local and national advertising as appropiate.

Social media and appsHunters branches utilise social media as a means of generating interest in the properties we market. Facebook and Twitter are powerful tools when used correctly and our agents are fully trained in the art of social media.

Intelligent boardsBy texting or scanning the QR codes on our intelligent To Let & For Sale boards, applicants are sent full property details straight to their phone.

Regular marketing reviewsOnce your property has gone on the market we will contact you at agreed intervals to discuss its progress. Our focus is, at all times, on getting the job done in line with your requirements.

Accompanied viewingsWe fully recommend that we accompany every viewing. Research has shown that this can double the chance of letting your property.

No let, no feeWith Hunters Lettings, no fees are payable until your property is let.

*Source Google Analytics 2015.

Hunters do an outstanding job managing my investment. I know them to be consummate professionals who have consistently arranged fantastic tenants, always ensure the rent is paid on time and that the property is well-managed. Their service gives me the peace of mind to devote my time and energies to other areas of my life. Without hesitation I would recommend their services. Dr Patel, Landlord, London

* Subject to a fee.

Complete peace of mind

A specialist Rent Recovery Scheme* for landlords• Nil excess• Covers total monthly rent of a property• 100% of rent paid – max 6 months• Must be included within approved tenant referencing scheme• Legal expenses £25,000• 50% of the rent paid for up to 2 months after vacant possession• Tenant(s) must pass full referencing

Legal expenses cover*Covering you for eviction of a tenant due to non payment of rent.

Dedicated teamsFor Maintenance, Accounts and Marketing.

Expertise & knowledgeTrained agents and local franchise partners who know the area and market inside out.

We offer

Furniture & furnishings (Fire & Safety) regulations 1988 Any soft furnishings in a let property must comply with the above regulations. Generally soft furnishings manufactured after March 1990 will comply although must have the relevant labels. Any unlabelled furniture is deemed non compliant (unless it is antique horsehair filled and has not been reupholstered). Letting a property with non-compliant furniture is a serious offence which could lead to prosecution of the landlord and agents.

Electrical equipment and PAT TestingUnder various legislation, all portable electrical items require testing before each tenancy. We will arrange for this to be done with a suitably qualified external contractor. The cost will be the landlord’s responsibility.

Electrical installationsThe electrical installation will need to be tested before the beginning of the first tenancy. Any works to ensure that the system is safe will need to be carried out. It is, however, not necessary for electrical installations to be tested on an annual basis and we will arrange for them to be re-tested on the recommendations of the electricians. This is normally after 5-10 years.It is essential that we have test certificates and reports. We will, therefore, arrange for an electrician to carry out the necessary tests at the appropriate time. If you would prefer to do this yourself, the documentary evidence must be provided to us. Even if you have had an inspection carried out but are unable to supply the certificate it will be necessary to have the tests carried out again.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.

From the 1 October 2015 landlords have to ensure that a smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. They will also have to put a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where a solid fuel is burnt, such as wood, coal or biomass and includes open fires. Landlords or agents will then have to ensure that the alarms work at the start of each new tenancy. For example by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.

Central heating, boilers and all gas appliancesThe Gas Safety Regulations require all gas appliances to be serviced and the landlord (management agent in the case of managed properties) provided with a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate on an annual basis. We will normally arrange for these to be carried out. If you make your own arrangements your Property Manager will require a valid copy of the Gas Certificate before the first tenancy can commence and then on an annual basis thereafter. If we are not provided with certificates and/or they expire, we will arrange for an immediate inspection. We will not be able to start a tenancy without a valid certificate if required.

EPCEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented and it is valid for 10 years. Energy Performance Certificates present the energy efficiency of dwellings on a scale of A to G. The most efficient homes – which should have the lowest fuel bills – are in band

A. The certificate uses the same scale to define the impact a home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Legionella

All hot and cold water systems in residential properties are a potential source for Legionella bacteria growth. All landlords and agents in control of private rented properties are now required to protect their tenants against the risk of contracting Legionnaire’s Disease. Hunters can arrange the necessary assessments. Deposits & tenancy deposit protectionThe deposit is a minimum of £100 more than the month’s rent. The purpose of the deposit is to cover damage to the property over and above normal wear and tear and/or any rent arrears or costs incurred as a result of breach of contract. The 2004 Housing Act prevents landlords from holdingtheir own deposits. All Hunters branches are members of a tenancy deposit service. All deposits relating to Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be held under the rules of the TDS. Deposits relating to tenancies which are not Assured Shorthold Tenancies are not part of the scheme although will be dealt with along the principles of the scheme.

Checkout inspection

At the end of the tenancy we will check the property carefully. We are required to agree deductions between landlord and tenant and we will do everything we can to reach an agreement. If agreement cannot be reached the matter will be referred to the relevant body for arbitration. Both landlord and tenant must accept the decision of the Independent Case Examiner (service included on Full Management only).

Legislation & complianceSafe as houses, because we do all the hard work

Reasons to choose us to let your property

Members of SAFEagent* Client Money Protection 99.5% of our customers said they were happy with our services.* Exclusive ’Rent Recovery Plus’ available Advertising on all of the major property portals 100% accompanied viewings Network of over 160 branches nationwide Extensive use of social media to reach more tenants Competitive fees Large database of qualified applicants Flexible viewings times

Fully Managed service

• Property brochure with colour photographs on display throughout our town and city centre offices• Circulation on our comprehensive mailing list, including local major employers and relocation agents• All viewings accompanied• A thorough tenant referencing service• Preparation of Tenancy Agreement• Advise necessary utility companies of new consumers and final meter readings• Collection of first month’s rent and security deposit• Deposit registration, in line with TDS Deposit regulations• Collection of rent monthly and transfer to nominated account• Preparation of a detailed inventory, with photos, including schedule of condition at the start of Tenancy• Regular property management visits• Copy of report sent to landlord upon completion of each management visit• Handling of any maintenance issues that may occur• Contacting tenants regarding renewal of Tenancy Agreement• Check out completed upon tenant leaving the property, in line with TDS Deposit regulations• Specialist Rent Recovery Plus available (12 months cover)*

Our lettings services

* Rent Recovery Plus is subject to a fee. * On average 99.5% of Hunters lettings customers who responded to our Customer Service Team between Jan-Nov 2015 said they were happy with our services. Memberships vary by branch. Not all branches are currently part of The SAFEagent scheme.

Tenant Find service

• Property brochure with colour photographs on display through our town and city centre offices• Circulation on our comprehensive mailing list, including local major employers and relocation agents• All viewings accompanied• A thorough tenant referencing service• Preparation of Tenancy Agreement• Advise necessary utility companies of new consumers• Collection of first month’s rent and security deposit• Deposit registration, in line with TDS Deposit regulations• Preparation of a detailed inventory, including photos, and schedule of condition at the start of Tenancy• Specialist Rent Recovery Plus available (12 months cover)*

Let!

What we do• Credit referencing of tenant• Prepare inventory• Prepare Tenancy Agreement

What you do• Clean the property• Give keys to agents• Arrange Gas Safety Certificate

What happens next?

Your property on the market... What we do next

Day 1• Prepare property details and online property listing, complete with photographs, and if applicable, floor plan and a video tour• Contact all of our ‘Hot Tenants’ by telephone• Email the details of your property to our tenant database• Upload your property to our website and the top online property portals• Display your property details in our branch windows• Arrange best viewing times• Ask to share your live property link with your own friends and contacts via social media such as Facebook and Twitter

Week 1• Additional advertising in local or regional property press (if applicable)• Coordinate all other marketing – property magazines, canvassing, Hunters Exclusive magazine, direct mail.

Throughout month 1• Gauge and report interest• Feedback on all viewings• Reports from online portfolios – your property’s click through rate and associated statistics• Review photographs & property details• Present all prospective and relevant tenants to you

• Prepare standing order• Ensure the property is ready for tenants• Arrange Gas Safety Certificate

• Ensure instruction manuals are in the property• Arrange necessary insurance

First impressions countYour property has 3 seconds to make an impression online

Prospective tenants are quick to exclude! Presentation of your property is key to attract the right person: • It must be perfect, inside and out!• Great photographs showcase your property at its best• We have a minimum standard of 6-9 photographs• A well-written description aims your property at the right audience• The price must be right

exclusive

let by0800 008 6906hunters-exclusive.co.uk

Hunters Exclusive is a supplementary element of the Hunters brand that allows our landlords to showcase their properties in a style befitting their individuality and beauty.

With a high quality magazine and supporting literature and property details which include professional photography and floor plans, choose Hunters Exclusive if your property deserves the very best marketing and profile and ticks the premium property box.

Hunters Exclusive

Our top recommendation for marketing your property

Professional photography Premium listings on property portalsA picture does indeed paint a

thousand words. Proven to attract 10 x more potential tenants.

Property presentation

Presenting your property doesn’t have to mean a complete redecoration or spending lots of money, but for peace of mind, we can arrange:

• Professional cleaning• Contractors for decorating works

Hunters has always offered an extremely professional and efficient service when finding tenants for my property. They always work very closely with me, going through all the vetting procedures every step of the way. As a consequence I feel extremely confident that I have been provided with the best possible calibre tenants and the best possible rental yield on my property. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them. I will certainly be using them again in the future.

Ms Lewis, Landlord - South London

SalesWe take great pride in not only meeting, but exceeding the expectations of our vendors and buyers. Our marketing strategy is based on a very simple principle – the more people we can get interested in a property, the better price we are going to get for our vendors. Properties are marketed within your local areas, across the region and throughout our entire national network. Our agents are trained and offer comprehensive and pro-active marketing packages.

Land & New HomesHunters Land & New Homes provides expert industry advice on all development-related matters such as land acquisition and accurate, impartial market research.

We also offer guidance to developers, house builders, housing associations, receivers and banks.

Investors / Buy-to-Let Hunters is able to offer a specialist Buy-to-Let consulting service for Investors. With our vast knowledge and experience in the property market we can offer advice on hotspots in specific areas, identifying the right investment properties and accessing financial products and services.

Our regular Investor newsletter keeps you up to date with the latest industry news.

International Hunters International began in partnership with Marena Murray, property specialists in the Murcia region of Spain and in particular the exclusive La Manga Club, one of the world’s top leisure and sporting resorts.

There is now also a Hunters International office in Alicante selling a range of property taking full advantage of the fabulous Spanish climate, stunning beaches and beautiful countryside.

Hunters ExclusiveHunters Exclusive allows our vendors to showcase their homes in a style befitting their individuality and beauty. With our high quality magazine, supporting literature and enhanced property particulars choose Hunters Exclusive to present your premium home in the best possible light. Our Hunters Exclusive magazine now features lifestyle as well as property, making it the perfect coffee table read.

Additional services

Hunters Property Auctions Selling by auction has become more popular over recent years, especially for properties requiring work. Properties often achieve higher values than their published guide price due to competition between individuals on a particular lot.

A definite timescale to complete thetransaction is agreed. Normally contracts are exchanged on the night of the sale and completion takes place within 28 days.

Hunters Conveyancing Hunters Conveyancing is a unique and specialist conveyancing service, designed to dramatically reduce the time taken to get the legal work done and help you move more quickly.

We will get all your legal work prepared in advance so that you are ready to exchange as soon as a buyer is found.

Franchising Since 2005, our network of franchises has shown phenomenal growth, with over 30 branches opening in 2014 alone. We now have over 160 branches and are one of the largest franchised estate agency partnerships in the UK.

We have opened brand new franchised offices as well as helped several existing agents rebrand to Hunters.

Mortgages Many Hunters branches benefit from an in-house Mortgage Adviser, offering expert advice on the latest mortgage products, interest rates and offers available.

A Mortgage Adviser working with a Hunters branch will help you every step of the way from choosing a lender, arranging an agreement in principal and completing a full application.

Block Management Hunters Residential Block Management is an experienced and quality managing agent with a thorough knowledge of property management as well as legal and statutory requirements.

We are equipped with dedicated teams of trained contractors and staff, ready to assist with any situation. Our services range from consultation to full managing agent services.

SALES / LETTINGS / MANAGEMENT / HUNTERS.COM