1- Why choose Etimon? Choosing the right property agent to manage your property is a must for any landlord. Etimon are

one of Scotland’s leading independent property agents with expertise in lettings, sales and

investments. We treat each landlord individually and will design a package of support to meet your

specific requirements. There are some key benefits that we provide to all our clients.

Our Expertise

We know the Scottish property market and

will ensure you receive the right level of

support and advice to generate maximum

yield value on your Scottish property. We are

fully trained to meet the ARLA, RICS and CIH

requirements.

Our People

Renowned for their expertise and dedication,

our staff are hand-picked from the very best

in the industry. We know English is not

everyone’s first language, so we offer foreign

language speakers to aid international tenants

and landlords.

Customer Service

Everyone you deal with at Etimon will ensure

you are kept up-to-date every step of the way

from initial marketing through to tenant

departure. Customer service is top of our

agenda and we ensure all our landlords

receive a personal and highly professional

service.

Property Management Services

We’ll look after all aspects of your property

from refurbishments to repairs, tenant

marketing to property checks. Whether you

have one buy to let property, or a large rental

portfolio, we are confident that our services

will not disappoint.

Tenant Selection

From families, young professionals, corporate

lets to international relocations, we attract

quality tenants from all walks of life and

ensure they have a quality experience while

living in your property.

Our Marketing

Your rental properties will enjoy superior

marketing in the national press, magazine and

local publications, along with exposure on

over 40 major property websites including

Zoopla, Lettingweb and Rightmove,

guaranteeing maximum exposure to quality

tenants.

“Best letting agency in Scotland! Etimon

property manage a very large portfolio that

my family own, they really look after our

properties and go above and beyond to get

tasks done that we require. They thoroughly

vet the tenants and are very strict with

tenants, this in turn means our properties are

well looked after, no damage is done and rent

is always paid in full on time. Well done

Etimon!”

Sofia Stellar, Private Landlord

Glasgow

2 – How should I present my property?

Whether it’s your own home or a rental investment, it’s important to think about the kind of tenant

you are trying to attract and present your property accordingly. We are happy to advise you on the

expectations of your particular market. However, as a general guide, when refurbishing an

investment property, you should consider the following

Professional Cleaning

Prior to occupation, all properties should be

professionally cleaned. When the property is

returned, the tenant is expected to do the

same. Any outside space should also be left in

seasonal good order.

Wall Colours and Flooring

We recommend keeping your options open to

appeal to a wider audience. Keep the decor

simple and neutral. Wooden or good quality

laminate flooring are very desirable and easy

to maintain.

Technology

Many tenants want properties that can

support the latest technologies, so it’s

important to ensure that any required cabling

is added during refurbishment.

Communal Areas & Facilities

Communal areas and/ or entrance hallways

should ensure a good first impression. Also

bear in mind the “kerb appeal” of the

exterior. Ensure various recycling facilities are

provided.

Furnished or Un-Furnished?

By taking a flexible view on this question, you

will reach a far wider range of potential

tenants. Simply furnishing a property won’t

necessarily affect the rental price, but the

quality of the furnishings certainly will. A fully

furnished property should have good quality

furniture, kitchenware, crockery, linen and

laundry facilities. An unfurnished property

should have working, safety checked

appliances and window fittings.

Kitchens, Bathrooms and other Rooms

Kitchens should be equipped with at least a

cooker, fridge/freezer and washing machine.

Invest in good quality appliances with long

guarantees. Bathrooms should have high

quality fittings and be well lit. Power showers

and fully tiled floors and walls are preferred

and good ventilation is essential. Choose

well-designed, good quality fixtures and

fittings throughout the property, that will not

date. There should also be ample wardrobe

space in the bedrooms.

3 - What are the legal safety requirements?

All landlords should ensure that they provide tenants with the highest quality accommodation, that

their property is well managed and that all legal obligations are being met. However, navigating your

way through the minefield of laws, regulations and best practice regarding safety can be daunting.

So what must you do and where do you start?

Gas Safety

If your property has a gas supply, you will

need to have a Gas Engineer carry out a safety

check on all gas installation and appliances

annually. This includes the gas meter, boilers,

heated water tanks, fires and cookers. You

must supply the tenant with a copy of the Gas

Safety Certificate (GSC) which is issued by the

engineer.

Electrical Safety

Fixed wiring (Electrical Installation Condition

Report or EICR) checks must be carried out at

least every five years.

Anything that is movable and fitted with a

plug should be on the PAT report. Everything

in the property which uses the electrical

supply must be on either EICR or PAT, unless it

belongs to the tenant.

Carbon Monoxide

Mains powered carbon monoxide (CO)

detectors must be fitted in any space which

contains a carbon based fuel appliance

(excluding cooking appliances) e.g. a gas/oil

boiler, gas/oil fire, wood burning stove or

open coal fire. There should also be one in any

bedroom or living room which is bypassed by

a flue.

Fire Safety

Mains powered smoke detectors must be

installed in the living room and all circulation

areas/hallways and a mains powered heat

detector in the kitchen. All alarms should be

interlinked. It is best practice to provide a fire

blanket and/or extinguisher in the kitchen and

these should be maintained and serviced

regularly.

Legionnaires’ Disease

Landlords have a legal duty to ensure that the

risk of exposure of tenants to Legionnaires’

Disease is properly assessed and controlled. A

risk assessment should be carried out and

regularly reviewed and control measures

should be implemented.

Furniture and Furnishings

To minimise the risk of fire, the Furniture and

Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

set out requirements for all soft furnishings.

It’s illegal to provide furnishings that don’t

comply. Each item of furniture or furnishings

must have a label attached to it stating

compliance with the regulations.

These guidelines apply to any property that is not a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation)

4 – How will Etimon Manage my Property?

Managing a property can be a full-time job which is difficult if you are already in employment or live

overseas. At Etimon we take care of all aspects of your property management requirements to

ensure you have complete peace of mind that your property is being looked after by our experts.

Comprehensive Management Service

Our property management team will take care

of every aspect of letting your property. From

ensuring annual safety inspections are

completed to 24 hour emergency cover, it’s a

solution for complete peace of mind. Tenants

choose to remain in properties for longer

when it is managed by a professional agent.

Furthermore, corporate tenants often insist

that the property is professionally managed.

Our complete service includes:

• Peace of mind 24 hours a day

• Preparing your property to let

• Meeting your legal safety

requirements

• Transfer of utilities

• No tenant contact required

• Excellent property manager to

property ratio

• Repairs carried out by vetted

tradesmen at competitive rates

• Deposit claims negotiated

• Client accounting and detailed

monthly rental statements

• Property inspected every 4 to 6

months

• Up to date market values provided at

time of renewal

Dedicated Point of contact

At Etimon we will provide a dedicated point of

contact who will manage all aspects of your

properties. And when that person is not

around, someone else within our experienced

team will look after you, ensuring you have

consistent service.

Safety Controls and Certification

As industry legislation increases on safety

requirements, you can be assured that our

team is on hand to advise on current safety

regulations around gas, electricity, fire and

furnishings, organising certifications where

required. We can also arrange the installation

of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Preparing your property to Let

We can help you with preparing your property

to let, this includes a full renovation if

required. We can guide you on how you

should present your property and get it ready

for renting.

Meeting your legal safety requirements

We only work with experienced and qualified

engineers, electricians and tradesmen. We

can help you get all the legal safety

compliance and certification in place.

Value for Money

Our property managers ensure that value for

money is offered at every stage. Many

tradesmen charge our clients at rates below

those available to members of the general

public.

Qualified Tradesmen

Contractors engaged on your behalf will need

to meet strict quality control criteria covering

everything from trade qualifications right

through to adequate liability insurance.

Transfer of Utilities

We ensure Gas, Electricity and Council tax are

correctly transferred onto each new tenant’s

name and tenants are correctly billed.

Deposit Deduction Negotiations

As your managing agent, we put a useful

distance between you and your tenant whilst

negotiations are carried out by us on your

behalf. Our goal is to manage this process in

the most effective and efficient way providing

you with a smooth amicable synergy

throughout tenancy negotiations.

Rent Collection

We have a dedicated accounts team who will

ensure your tenants rent is collected on time,

every month, taking the hassle away from

you. We will pay this rent direct into your

chosen bank account and provide you with a

rental statement.

Credit Control

We will manage your tenants to ensure they

pay on time, managing any bad debt or late

payments as part of this control process.

Property inspections every

4 to 6 months

We ensure your property is inspected every 4

to 6 months and any repairs identified,

working with you to create an action plan to

ensure these repairs are addressed and

managed correctly.

5 – How will Etimon Market my Property?

Having started out our business with our own ‘To-Let’ properties, we know exactly what needs to be

done to make a rental property stand out! It’s not just about listing the number of bedrooms and

size of the rooms. At Etimon we look for the added value features that make your property

marketable.

As well as promoting the properties on our

website, we also use a wide range of

marketing communication platforms including

social media, advertising To-Let boards and

exposure on over 40 major property websites

including for example Zoopla, Lettingweb and

Rightmove.

We have a database of over 5000 local

and international tenants all vetted

and looking for properties like yours.

So you know your property is in good

hands with Etimon.

We can advertise your property with these websites, publications and media

platforms:

6 – What are Etimon’s Levels of Service?

Whether you’re letting a mansion or a maisonette, it’s a working relationship between you, your

agent and your tenant. After Etimon finds your ideal tenant at a rental income that suits you, there

are three ways we can help:

1. FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

We’ll handle all aspects of your rental property, providing a full management service and letting

you step back completely.

2. LET AND RENT COLLECTION

The same excellent service as our let only package, but we’ll also collect rent on your behalf.

3. LET ONLY

Ideally for landlords who prefer to be more hands-on, we’ll market the property, verify tenant

credentials and handle the final paperwork, but let you take the lead on day-to-day

management.

Whether you own a single flat or a portfolio of properties we’ll tailor our service to suit you. All our

valuations are based on sound research and our fee structure is transparent; just one reason our

landlords keep coming back

7 – What are the Costs of Letting out my Property?

There are several costs involved in letting a property, both from a landlord and tenant perspective.

It’s important to factor in a contingency fund for the following:

Before you Let the property

• Redecoration & professional cleaning

• Furniture and furnishings

• Safety compliance: Gas, Electrical & Fire

safety

• Landlord Registration & EPC

From the start and during the tenancy

• Agent’s fees, depending on your level of

service

• Any ‘extras’ negotiated by the tenants,

such as furniture or equipment for the

property

• Check-in and inventory reports

• Maintenance and repairs

• Any void periods where the property is

empty

• Building and contents insurance for any

fixtures, fittings and furnishings you own

• Tax on your gross rental income (contact

your nearest Tax Enquiry Office for

information)

At the end of the tenancy

• Agent’s fees, depending on your level of

service

• Any ‘extras’ negotiated by the tenants,

such as furniture or equipment for the

property

• Check-in and inventory reports

• Maintenance and repairs

• Any void periods where the property is

empty

• Building and contents insurance for any

fixtures, fittings and furnishings you own

• Tax on your gross rental income (contact

your nearest Tax Enquiry Office for

information)

Steps involved in Letting your Property

As a new landlord, you need to ensure you have the right arrangements in place prior to a tenant

taking up residency. We’ve created a landlord checklist to help guide you. The Team at Etimon can

help guide you through every step:

1. Mortgage – Inform your mortgage lender that you are going to let out your property. -

You will need a mortgage consent form

2. Insurances - You need to ensure you have adequate insurance in place for the property

and its contents to ensure you are fully protected against any eventuality

3. Taxes – Check tax implications

4. Repairing Standards - A privately rented property must meet the Repairing Standard as

follows,:

✓ the property must be wind and water tight and in all other respects reasonably

fit for people to live in.

✓ the structure and exterior (including drains, gutters and external pipes) must be

in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.

✓ installations for supplying water, gas and electricity and for sanitation, space

heating and heating water must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper

working order.

✓ any fixtures, fittings and appliances that the landlord provides under the

tenancy must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.

✓ any furnishings that the landlord provides under the tenancy must be capable of

being used safely for the purpose for which they are designed.

✓ the property must have a satisfactory way of detecting fires and for giving

warning in the event of a fire or suspected fire.

✓ the property must have satisfactory provision for giving warning if carbon

monoxide is present in a concentration that is hazardous to health.

5. Repairs, Refurbishment and Decoration

- Prepare your property for renting, complete repairs and undertake refurbishments as

required.

- Decorate the property

6. Furniture and Appliances - install appliances and furniture (what you provide depends

on if you are renting the property furnished or un-furnished)

7. Safety Checks - There are several safety checks you should have in place to manage the

safety of your property and your tenant.

✓ For properties with a gas supply, a valid annual Landlord’s Gas Safety certificate

is required

✓ A PAT test (portable appliance test) is carried out annually on all portable

electrical equipment that is provided to the Tenant (does not include the

tenant’s equipment)

✓ An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is require every 3 to 5 years

✓ Provision of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This lasts for 10 years

✓ All furnishings must comply with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety)

Regulations 1988 Act

✓ Mains powered Smoke Detectors must be installed in the living rooms and all

circulation areas/hallways and a mains powered heat detector in the kitchen.

✓ Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in all rooms with gas and/or

solid fuel appliances.

✓ Conduct Legionnaires risk assessment

8. Maintenance checks - Prior to letting the property, ensure all assets are in good working

order, for example all chimneys are swept, boiler is serviced, tanks filled and light bulbs

working.

9. Professional cleaning - Organise to have your property professionally cleaned prior to

the tenant moving in. The tenant will be expected to leave the property in the same

condition when they exit the property.

10. Inventory Check-in - Organise a professional inventory of all the items in the property

and ensure the tenant signs a check-in report which records the condition of the

property and your assets at the time of moving in. Also remember to organise a check-

out on the last day of your tenant’s tenancy to record the condition of the property and

assets in their final condition.

11. Register as a Landlord - with ‘Landlord Registration Scotland’

12. Marketing your property - through all channels and conduct viewings. Erect a To Let

Board and advertise on all the major marketing websites for maximum exposure.

13. Find a Tenant - Identify a suitable tenant and conduct vetting process.

14. Lease Signing - Provide Lease and Tenancy documentation to tenant and have them

signed. There are a number of documents that will require completed as part of this

process. At Etimon we will ensure all documentation are signed and complete.

15. Rent and Deposit Collection - Collect tenants rental and deposit. Lodge deposit with

Safe Deposit Scotland and provide the tenant with the DAN number and confirmation

deposit lodgement.

16. Keys - You will be required to provide a set of keys for every tenant living in the property

and an extra set for Etimon if we are appointed as your property agent.

17. Tenant Information - Provide tenant with information on repairs, emergencies and local

amenity information.

18. Manuals - Provide copies of manuals for your tenants (washing machine, boiler, cooker

etc). It’s also helpful to provide a guide to local amenities such as doctor, dentist, shops

to help your tenant find their way around at the start of their tenancy.

19. Inform Council and Utility companies - Advise your local council and utility companies

that the property is being rented and a new point of contact will be provided to take

over payment of the bills.

20. Regular Inspections and Maintenance - Conduct settling in visit, 6 weeks into the

tenancy. And then every 6 months thereafter. This is vital to ensure the tenant is

looking after your property and also to ensure tenant does not have any issues.

21. Tenant vacates - Once the tenant wishes to leave, they must give the appropriate

notice. A Check out inspection must be carried out, and necessary deductions taken.

Remaining deposit is returned to the tenant via Safe Deposit Scotland the property is

prepared for Re-Letting and the full process starts again!

The above steps are a general summary of what is required when letting a property. The team at

Etimon can help you every step of the way and take care of everything. So you can sit back, relax

and see your rental coming in every month!

Investment Life Cycle

Putting your money into property is a popular investment choice. But what if you don’t know

where to start? Etimon is here to help with every step of your property journey.

Our range of services allows us to aid with every step of your property journey and our huge

database of potential clients, from tenants to investor landlords, allows us to maximise your

investment’s potential.

1. Source Property

Many Investors have turned to property as a profitable investment.

At Etimon, we track the market through our property search tools to identify properties that

will generate good rental values and an excellent investment yield during the period the property

remains in your ownership.

We will agree your criteria upfront and secure the best property for your investment at the best

price. We also check the long term valuation of the property with an independent surveyor and

engage a lawyer to handle all the legalities of the purchase.

Legal implications

We will guide you through the legal minefield of buying a property and signpost to professional

people to ensure your investment is viable. Overseas investors have a number of steps to go through

such as registering with HMRC, NRL (non-resident landlord) and Landlord Registration

Scotland. Etimon has a wealth of experience guiding investors through this process.

Our aim is to secure you the best property investment possible.

2. Refurbishment

We want to ensure you get the maximum ROI (return on investment) for your property so any

repairs or refurbishments required for the property after purchase can be managed by the Etimon

team. Using our network of experienced contractors and suppliers, we will ensure your property is

refurbished to the highest quality standard possible within your budget. We will agree a fixed price

upfront and complete the refurbishment within the shortest time period, ensuring you get your

property on the market as soon as possible.

We look at where we can add value to a property, adding rooms, moving the location of rooms, or

creating the illusion of more space and ensure that any renovations have building warrant

approval. Our refurbishment services include:

• Maintaining original features

• New kitchen

• New bathroom

• Decoration

• Flooring

• Central Heating

• Double glazed windows

• Rewiring

• Good quality furniture

Our aim is to ensure you receive higher rents for your property, increased value of the property

overall and a reduction in maintenance charges.

3. Finding the Right Tenants

Through our network of online sources and our ever growing database of tenant enquiries, we will

ensure we find the right tenant for your property investment. Through our property management

service we will look after your tenant so you don’t have to worry.

We will also put some checks in place to ensure both you and your tenants are covered in case any

issues arise:

✓ We vet every single tenant, check their references and obtain a credit check.

✓ We take a deposit from every tenant to safeguard against any damages or breakages. This

deposit is lodged with Safe Deposit Scotland throughout the term of the tenancy

✓ A full inventory is prepared and a check-in inventory signed by the tenant to ensure there is

a record of all items in the property, with an inventory check-out report created on

departure.

✓ We have a dedicated Maintenance team and Out of hour’s emergency contractors to ensure

tenants are well looked after and any property concerns rectified quickly and with minimum

fuss.

4. Manage Property

Our aim is to give you full peace of mind.

We can take the responsibility of looking after your tenant and property away from you, providing a

full property management service which relives you of being a full-time landlord and giving you the

peace of mind of knowing your property is being looked after. That’s why we look after several

hundred properties on behalf of local and international landlords in Glasgow and the surrounding

areas.

5.Grow Portfolio

Some investors are happy to only invest in one property. However, if you have the ambition to grow

your property investment portfolio, we can work with you to ensure you have the correct funding in

place to grow your portfolio.

Re-mortgage

Once you know how much equity you have to invest in a second property, a mortgage advisor will

help you work out the best buy-to-let mortgage options available to you to purchase additional

properties. We can help signpost you to the right people to manage this process.

Re-invest

Reinvesting this equity in additional properties is the next step. We can help you decide whether it

would be best to invest in one or more properties. We know growing a property portfolio is not a

quick process. Our expert team can help you set the processes in place to achieve you long term

goals.

6. Exit

As part of our ongoing service, we will re-evaluate your property on yearly basis to assess it

value. Once the market value of the property has increased to your expectation level, Etimon can

help you sell the property for the best price possible.

To find out more about our range of services and if our letting service is right

for you, contact our customer services team on 0141 218 4426 or email

info@etimon.co.uk