Landlord Services

Being a landlord can deliver strong financial returns, but it also involves responsibility and elements of risk. Selecting the right level of support is about choosing the balance of involvement, protection and income that feels right for you.

What Do We Offer as Letting Agents That Is Different?

If you are thinking of renting out your property for the first time or if you are already a seasoned property landlord, we are happy to give general or more property-specific advice to guide you through the process free of charge with no-obligation.

We can guide you through the buy-to-let process if you are looking to purchase an investment property and advise on what type of property might be most suitable in terms of general tenant demand, whether to buy freehold or leasehold, what kind of rental return you can expect and how best to present a property for letting. If you have specific properties in mind, our lettings team will be happy to review them and give you feedback before you submit any offers. Occasionally, we have existing landlords wishing to sell their properties and may have opportunities to purchase a ready-made rental investment with a tenant in-situ.

There is a wealth of information under the “Landlords” tab at the top of this page including details of the three lettings services offered by Northwood Worcester:

Tenant Find Service
Fully-Managed Landlord Service
Guaranteed Rent Service

Our hallmark Guaranteed Rent Service (not to be confused with guaranteed rent insurance policies offered by other companies) includes a full letting and management package and gives the added peace of mind of a fixed rent start date with an agreed rental income for 1, 2 or 3 years at a time, payable each month even if the property becomes empty. This really is a “Let it and forget it” solution that over 12,000 property owners in the UK are currently enjoying.

Working out just how much rental income you might receive after fees and charges can be a challenge when comparing different letting companies. Northwood believes fees should be clear and transparent with no “nasty surprises” further down the line.

Many agents offer an apparently low “headline-grabbing” fee, but do check on the myriad of other fees and charges added on top for other bits and pieces that you will need to budget for. With the exception of our Guaranteed Rent Service which has no fees, everything is wrapped up in just three charges:

Letting Fee – a fixed fee for letting a property to a brand-new tenant be it a 1-bed flat or a 6-bed detached house (including inventory and set of property photographs)
Management Fee – (for our Fully-Managed Landlord Service) a fixed monthly fee that covers everything else including tenancy deposit protection, rent collection, property inspections, coordination of maintenance/repairs and end-of-tenancy checkouts.
Renewal Fee – for renewing a tenancy contract with an existing tenant

Northwood Worcester keeps all tenancy functions in-house meaning we do not farm out any part of the letting process to third-party companies e.g. tenancy referencing. This gives us a more detailed understanding of prospective tenants’ circumstances and enables us to better advise and make appropriate recommendations to owners.

We Switch You – If you’re unhappy with your current letting agent for whatever reason and you feel they are not providing the service set out in your terms of business with them or maybe you just feel it is time for change, we can help by taking on the admin process of changing agent for you in a similar way to what is offered by the banks and building societies giving you a “no hassle” solution. For more information, click HERE.

We offer three core service options:

1. Guaranteed Rent

Our Guaranteed Rent service provides full letting and management along with the highest level of financial certainty. It’s ideal if you want a fixed, uninterrupted income and prefer a low-risk, hands-off approach. It’s commonly chosen in situations such as:

Buying a new buy-to-let investment
Letting a property with a high mortgage or where rental delays or void periods would create financial pressure
When a home has been on the sales market without success and the owners need a way to move on
Temporary relocations (typically 1–3 years), for example for employment or military postings
Moving abroad with the intention of possibly emigrating, without wishing to sell a UK property
Couples combining households and choosing to let one of their properties
When an elderly relative is moving into care or in with family
Inherited properties where a regular income is preferred

What is Guaranteed Rent?

The owner receives a fixed annual rent, typically over a contract of 1, 2 or 3 years, paid monthly by Northwood from an agreed start date.
Payments continue even if the occupier fails to pay or if the property is empty at any point.
There are no charges, commissions or hidden extras.

The key distinction from traditional services is that this is a contractual agreement between Northwood and the landlord, where Northwood effectively becomes the tenant—although we do not take occupation.

Why Choose Guaranteed Rent?

Guaranteed start date
Regardless of how long it takes to find a suitable tenant, your rent begins a set number of days after the property is handed over with all required certificates, works complete and the property ready for occupation.

Stable, predictable income
Lettings can be unpredictable: tenants’ circumstances can change, void periods occur, and late or missed payments sometimes happen. Under a standard service these issues can significantly reduce a landlord’s annual income. With Guaranteed Rent, Northwood absorbs these risks and the owner continues to receive the fixed monthly amount stated in the contract.

No fees or commissions
There are no setup costs, tenant-find fees, commission charges or hidden add-ons.

Legal protection included
If court action is required to recover unpaid rent or for possession, Northwood covers the legal costs and manages the process. The owner’s monthly payments continue throughout.

2. Fully-Managed

This option includes complete letting and property management, but the landlord carries the financial risk of rent arrears, void periods and legal expenses. It is often chosen by:

Landlords with multiple properties, where a temporary loss of income on one is cushioned by income from others
Owners with little or no borrowing, where a reduced rental year would not significantly affect their financial position

What’s Included?

Tenant Sourcing
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes:

In-house employment, landlord, financial and ID checks
Discussion and recommendations based on those findings
Preparing tenancy agreements, inventory and a full photographic schedule including meter readings
Collecting a tenancy deposit (normally 5 weeks’ rent, as per legislation)
Collecting monthly rent
Notifying utility providers and the council of meter readings and tenant details

Tenancy Deposit Registration
As members of the insured Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), we register deposits within 30 days of the tenancy start date and maintain protection throughout. This is included in our management fee.

Maintenance Management
Tenants contact us directly with repairs. We notify the landlord, who can choose to arrange works themselves, use their own contractor, or instruct a regular Northwood contractor. For works arranged through us, we supply the invoice and deduct the exact amount from the next rental payment with no mark-ups.

Property Inspections
Routine inspections take place quarterly or six-monthly, depending on instructions. We keep records, address any issues and provide a copy of the report on request.

Legal Action
If action is required against a tenant, we prepare and serve notices. Under this service, all court fees, solicitor costs and any rent loss remain the landlord’s responsibility.

Check-Outs
At tenancy end, we inspect the property and assess any damage beyond fair wear and tear using the initial inventory and photographs.

Deposit Disputes
If disagreements arise, we negotiate between landlord and tenant in line with deposit legislation. If a dispute proceeds formally, Northwood handles the process at no extra charge.

3. Tenant Find

This service typically provides the highest potential income for landlords who are comfortable managing the ongoing tenancy themselves. It suits owners happy to handle repairs, inspections, compliance and day-to-day tenant contact. It carries the greatest level of risk when compared with our other services.

What’s Included?

Marketing on Rightmove, the Northwood website, our registered tenant database and office displays
Accompanied viewings
Financial and identity checks
Employment and current accommodation referencing
Arranging for landlords to meet prospective tenants before progressing
Preparation of inventory, condition report and photographs with meter readings
Drafting the assured shorthold tenancy agreement
Collecting a deposit equal to 5 weeks’ rent in accordance with legislation
Providing tenants with the landlord’s bank details for direct rent payments
Notifying utility companies and council tax of meter readings and new tenant details

You will receive the signed tenancy agreement, full inventory and photographs, the new tenants’ contact details, and the first month’s rent plus deposit (minus fees).

After the tenancy begins, we remain available should you need general advice or guidance.