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Estate & Letting Agents covering Halstead
Abbey Letts, 100 High Street, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1EB.
Anthony James Residential Lettings, 2 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PR.
Ashdale Estate Agents, 93 Chatterton Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9QQ, 020 8466 8445.
Ashton Burkinshaw, 1 Manse Parade, London Road, Swanley , Kent, BR8 8DA, 01322 618773.
Ashton Burkinshaw, 3 Station Parade, London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1DL, 01732 740074.
PORTERS, 37b High Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AE, 020 8467 6655.
Butt Property Management, 27 Ravenswood Crescent, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 0JH, 020 8777 2242.
Cavendish, 2 The Shambles, Dorset Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1LJ.
Cockburn Estate Agents, 37 Chatsworth Parade, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1DD, 01689 871517.
Cockburn Estate Agents, 7 Belmont Parade, Green Lane, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6AN , 020 8467 6969.
David James, 189 Southborough, Bromley, BR2 8AR, 020 8467 8304.
Greater London Properties, 79 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1D 6QB, 020 7851 8530.
Guardian Lets & Property Management, 17 Rolvenden Garden, Bromley, Kent, BR1 2TN, 020 8466 9625.
haart, 5 Spital Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2DJ, 01322 229433.
haart, 306-308 High Street, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0NF, 01689 898899.
haart, 184 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3BB, 01959 540870.
haart, 227 The Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7EJ, 020 8301 5993.
haart, 127 High Street, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1AG, 020 8663 3434.
Helen Breeze Property Management, 43b London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AR, 01732 740789.
Homesearch Lettings, Forest House, 8 Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 1HT, 020 8558 9898.
Letxpress, The Courtyard, R/O 204 - 206 The High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1PW, 020 8460 1838.
Letzone, 209 Mottingham Road, Mottingham, Bromley, Kent, SE9 4SX, 020 8313 9075.
Red Apple Property Management, 40 Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1BA, 01474 333888.
Regency Lettings & Management, 35a Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent, DA16 3AB, 020 8298 6780.
tgb, Baynes House, Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1DB, 01322 295566.
tgb, Downe House, 303 High Street, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0NJ, 01689 886060.
tgb, Broadway House, 208 Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7BG, 020 8301 7616.
tgb, 13 Market Parade, High Street, Sidcup, London, DA14 6EP, 020 8302 2122.
tgb, 2a Bellgrove Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PR, 020 8304 7272.
tgb, 219 High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1NY, 020 8464 2555.
The Lettings Network, Unit R Homesdale business centre, 216-218 Homesdale Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 2QZ, 020 8308 0462.
Ward & Partners, 7 Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1EB, 01322 288211.
Ward & Partners, 93 Barnehurst Road, Barnehurst, Kent, DA7 6HD, 01322 335525.
Ward & Partners, Harlend House, High Street, Eynsford, Kent, DA4 0AB, 01322 862844.
Ward & Partners, Station Approach, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0HN, 01474 813100.
Ward & Partners, 129 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UU, 01732 451211.
Ward & Partners, 126 Welling High Street, Welling, Kent, DA16 1TJ, 020 8301 6679.
WOW Property, the people's estate agent, 0845 000 0999.
Your Move, 3 Spital Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2DJ, 01322 287287.
Your Move, 43 High Street, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8AE, 01322 663271.
Your Move, 53/55 Station Road, LONGFIELD, Kent, DA3 7QA, 01474 704104.
Your Move, 138 High Street, SEVENOAKS, Kent, TN13 1XE, 01732 456203.
Your Move, 172A Broadway, BEXLEYHEATH, Kent, DA6 7BN, 020 8303 3531.
Your Move, 1 West Street, BROMLEY, Kent, BR1 1RE, 020 8313 0636.
Your Move, 239 High Street, BECKENHAM, Kent, BR3 1BN, 020 8658 8811.
Your Move - O'Neil, 282 High Street, ORPINGTON, Kent, BR6 0ND, 01689 872926.
Note: No guarantee is made to the accuracy of these details.
TIPS ON BUYING IN HALSTEAD
Estate Agents
Let a good number of agents in Halstead know your needs - our
'one e-mail to all Halstead Estate Agents' button at the top of the homepage
is ideal for this.
Provide estate agents with all your contact details
and e-mail addresses - if what you are looking for comes on the
market in Halstead you want to be the first to know!
Work closely with the estate agents, they have local knowledge of the property market and house prices in Halstead. Make them want to help you.
The Property
Work out your budget:
- Standard lending ratios are usually three times
the principal earner's gross income plus one times the second,
or two and a half times joint gross income.
- Consider your existing equity, savings, moving
costs and your likely general credit rating.
Decide what you want to buy. Make a wish list of essential
criteria:
- Style, size, age, numbers of rooms, garaging, parking,
garden etc.
- Still remain open-minded - lots of people
surprise themselves with what they end up buying.
Consider the wider picture:
- Location, communications, local facilities, schools,
clubs
- Is this a long term move? How will your property
needs vary in future?
Viewing A Property
Arrive in the area early to get a good feel of the
neighbourhood, and prepare any local questions you may wish to ask.
Do not make an instant judgement. Do not be influenced
by the sociability of the vendors, their taste in furnishings or
the (un)tidiness.
Assess the accommodation that the property provides.
Assess the general state of repair: Roof, walls, windows
and doors, plasterwork, wiring, plumbing and heating, kitchen fittings
and bathroom sanitary ware.
Have improvements been carried out / will they be
required (e.g. double glazing, insulation, D.P.C., kitchen)?
Assess the neighbours, the street and the general
condition of other properties around - is this street reliably steady,
on the up, or going downhill?
Consider where the morning and evening sun will be.
If you are interested try to revisit at a different
time on a different day when the area may be busier.
Action for buying a house in Halstead
Buying a house can get stressful; get off to a good
start:
- Print this checklist, take it with you and make
notes.
- Press our 'one e-mail to all Halstead Estate Agents' button
now and get the best local agents sending you details through
- Do it now!
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TIPS ON SELLING IN HALSTEAD
The Estate Agent
Ask a few Halstead agents to value your property. Be objective
about what they say and do not be unduly critical if is not what
you wanted to hear!
Do not necessarily choose the agent with the cheapest
fee; you want your property advertised and 'sold properly' in all
respects.
Choose an agent that belongs to a professional body
such as:
- The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
(RICS)
- Ombudsman Estate Agency (OEA)
Read ALL the small print if you decide to use
a sole agent. Multiple agents could cost you more, but may increase
your chances of selling your property.
State any fixtures and fittings to be included in
the sale.
Make it clear to the agent the minimum value you are
presently willing to accept from a buyer.
Your Property
Take a critical look at the outside and inside of
your home and decide what small items are realistic to quickly improve.
The exterior of your home will be the buyer's first
impression. Ensure the garden is neat and tidy, outside lights are
clean and working, all fixtures such as door handles are secure.
Prepare your home by cleaning, repainting (if necessary)
and completing any unfinished DIY job! Create more space. Pack away,
throw away or take to the charity shop any unnecessary items and
be ruthless. The more you do now, the less cluttered your house
will look, and the less packing you will have to do when you move.
Viewing A Property
Arrange viewing at times that you can realistically
have the property looking good, kitchen cleared, grass cut etc.
The property needs to be tidy.
Create a nice atmosphere, pleasant fragrances, and
flowers and turn the television off. In winter light any fires and
have the heating at a comfortable level. In summer open windows.
Be ready for questions about the property, neighbours
and the locality.
Be clear about your own reasons for moving-on, time
scales and flexibility.
Leave it to your agent do any serious negotiating.
Action for selling property in Halstead
We have listed your main local agents. E-mail them
a request to contact you for initial discussions about the possibility
of them being chosen to sell you property.
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TIPS ON RENTING IN HALSTEAD
- Let lots of agents know what you are looking
for so you get a really good selection to choose from.
- Inform the agent of your criteria (location, budget,
furnished/unfurnished, occupation date requirement, tenancy period
and any other aspects that are important to you).
- Expect to pay a deposit of at least one months
rent, possibly more. Possibly some administration charges.
- You may be required to provide references.
- Ensure you read and understand the tenancy agreement.
The Citizens Advice Bureau may check this for you. Clarify what
is NOT included in the rental fee, such as council tax, utility
bills, ground maintenance etc.
- Examine the inventory prepared by the agent and
keep a copy.
- Check restrictions: sub-letting, pets etc. Can
you redecorate?
- Notify defects in writing as soon as they become
apparent (even if you do not want them remedied).
- Establish what is covered under maintenance (boilers,
refrigerators, radiators etc.).
- Usually, you will not have to deal with the landlord
directly. Should you have any problems or queries, direct them
to your agent first.
- Other issues to consider are, parking, neighbours,
noise levels, public transport availability etc.
Action to rent a house or flat in Halstead
Notify all the main local agents by sending 'one e-mail
to all Letting Agents' with your requirements. Do it now!
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TIPS ON LETTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY IN HALSTEAD
Choose a letting agent that is registered with one
of the following:
- The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
- The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS)
- The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- The UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
- Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA)
Get a good contract which will be the Tenancy Agreement.
Think about any restrictions you wish to place on the tenant and
the use of your property.
Try not to be too tough - if you exclude smokers,
pets, students, small children and short term lets, you will narrow
the market for your property considerably.
Ask for a rent that is realistic and affordable to
your potential tenants. The big difference in profit at the end
of the year will be dependent upon how long the property stood empty
- reduce the voids!
Examine our 'buyers tips' for guidelines on presenting
the property in an attractive manner.
Action to let property in Halstead
Notify the local Letting Agents your property is available
and find out the likely rent that could be attracted for your property.
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, are set to be available to all new tenants from October 1st 2008.
Outlining the energy efficiency rating and the environmental impact rating of a property, potential landlords will
be able to gain access to both the estimated running costs of a property, the carbon footprint created by the
property and also show any recommendations that could be made to improve the energy efficiency of a property.
The rating offered by the EPC will range from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient,
with the typical rating for a home being either D or E. These simple ratings will allow potential tenants to compare homes
of interest to gain an insight into the difference in potential running costs.
EPC Advice for Tenants
- Be sure to check the EPC rating before agreeing to rent a property, a house with a
poor rating could be liable to greater running costs compared to a similar house with a better rating.
- Be aware that landlords are under no obligation to improve the EPC rating of their property.
- Look into the possible grants and schemes offered by the Government to help tenants improve the energy efficiency of their home.
- Make sure that the EPC assessment has been made by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) - details can be found at www.epcregister.com
- Check how long the EPC has been in effect for, EPCs will be valid for up to 10 years.
For more tenant information on Energy Performance Certificates go to http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/epcsrentingtenants and view the Government released booklet that helps to explain EPCs in even greater detail.
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EPC Advice for Landlords
- Commission your EPC now: an EPC will have a shelf life of 10 years so if you have a high turnover of tenants, don’t wait until the current ones are about to leave - commission your EPC now to save time and hassle further down the line
- Use an accredited DEA: ensure you use an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) - details can be found at www.epcregister.com
- Be prepared: before the DEA arrives make sure you have all the information they will require, ready - date of when the property was built, info on whether the property has been extended or double glazed, whether walls have been insulated etc - a full checklist can be found at www.communities.gov.uk/epbd
- Follow the recommendations: take time to review the recommendations in your EPC - if your property has received a relatively poor rating (F or G) then take steps to improve its energy efficiency such as cavity wall insulation
- Get help: There are Government schemes available which will allow landlords to work with tenants to improve the EPC rating of their property.
- Get advice: if you’re not sure on what changes will provide the greatest energy savings contact the Energy Savings Trust who will be able to give you impartial advice - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
For more information on Energy Performance Certificates go to
http://www.communities.gov.uk/
, and view the Government released booklet that helps to explain EPC’s in even greater detail.
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