Letting Services - Residential Property

Chalmers & Co has more than three decades of experience in the residential rental market and is a market leader locally; we are buy-to-let specialists across East Lothian, Midlothian and the Borders. We understand rental and capital returns, and have views on where to invest for the best long term property returns.

Chalmers & Co offers 3 letting services:

1. A marketing and letting only service. We find your tenant, they sign our lease and pay the deposit. Thereafter, you manage the property.

2. A full marketing, letting and property management service. This is our most popular service and takes the hassle out of property letting; we manage more than 180 properties for clients.

3. A customised letting service which is tailored to our clients' requirements. This could be a sub-set of 1/2 above.

Some of the reasons why we have longstanding relationships with many of our clients are because:

• We aim to keep void periods between lettings to less than one month, wherever possible.
• We have effective, low cost marketing strategies that match tenants to properties quickly. Many properties are let via the Internet, the To Let board or directly from our database. We supplement this with targeted press advertising.
• We have a robust but fair letting and management process which protects our clients' interests, through tenant vetting, effective lease terms and securing a 2 months rent deposit, and look after their properties.
• We maintain clients' properties through our excellent network of local tradesmen and with the help of our Architectural Services department.

In more detail, Chalmers & Co's full marketing, letting and management service includes:

• Providing a FREE initial rental valuation and property letting and marketing advice.
• Planning and implementing an integrated letting and marketing strategy covering: database; direct marketing; shop window display; press advertising; distinctive To Let board; Chalmers & Co website; and listing on the best Internet property portals.
• For the most valuable properties: producing an attractive brochure with excellent photographs that captures the essence of your property and helps it stand out from the competition.
• Arranging viewings, providing accompanied viewings at no extra cost and giving regular feedback on prospective tenants.
• Vetting and interviewing prospective tenants and obtaining references.
• Preparing lease documentation, based on the highly regarded Chalmers & Co lease, and other statutory notices.
• Taking 2 months rent as deposit and ensuring rent payment is made electronically.
• Providing advice on implementing and monitoring safety regulations.
• Providing internal property inspections annually to ensure adequate attention to tenants' maintenance obligations.
• Conducting annual rent reviews to ensure our clients' tenants pay market rents.
• Carrying out annual, external property inspections by a Chalmers & Co building surveyor with follow-up repairs programme where requested.
• Providing property insurance advice, where necessary.
• Supporting property management with efficient accounting procedures and good, ongoing client communication.