Property Services for Landlords in Worcester
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, 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.
We Switch You
If you’re unhappy with your current letting agent for whatever reason and you feel they are not providing the service for you or maybe you just feel it is time for change, we can help by taking on the admin process of changing agent for you, giving you a “no hassle” solution. For more information, click HERE.
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.
We offer four core service options:
1. Guaranteed Rent
Our hallmark Guaranteed Rent Service (not to be confused with a rent guarantee insurance policy) 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 and has been offered to the market since 1995.
Our Guaranteed Rent service provides 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:
- First time purchase of a buy-to-let investment property
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes:
- Employment, financial and ID checks (including right to rent)
- 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)
- Notifying utility providers and the council of meter readings and tenant details
Collecting Monthly Rent
We will collect the rent from the tenant every month (chasing if there are any arrears) and pay this to you, once we have deducted any fees or costs
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.
As members of the insured Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), we register deposits within 30 days of the tenancy start date and maintain protection throughout.
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 can deduct the invoiced amount from the next rental payment.
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 can deduct the invoiced amount from the next rental payment.
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.
Routine inspections take place quarterly or six-monthly, depending on instructions. We keep records, address any issues and provide a copy of the report.
Check-Outs
At tenancy end, we inspect the property and assess any damage beyond fair wear and tear using the initial inventory and photographs.
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 disagreements arise, we negotiate between landlord and tenant in line with deposit legislation.
3. Rent Collect
This service is 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, but where we manage collecting the payments from the tenant and any arrears chasing required.
What’s Included?
Tenant Sourcing
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes all the same activities as included in our Fully managed service. You will receive the signed tenancy agreement, full inventory and photographs and the new tenants’ contact details.
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes all the same activities as included in our Fully managed service. You will receive the signed tenancy agreement, full inventory and photographs and the new tenants’ contact 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.
As members of the insured Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), we register deposits within 30 days of the tenancy start date and maintain protection throughout.
Collecting Monthly Rent
We will collect the rent from the tenant every month (chasing if there are any arrears) and pay this to you, once we have deducted any fees or costs
After the tenancy begins, we remain available should you need general advice or guidance and we are available to perform any work you require, on an ad hoc basis.
4. 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?
Tenant Sourcing
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes all the same activities as included in our Fully managed service, as well as providing tenants with the landlord’s bank details for direct rent payments. You will receive the signed tenancy agreement, full inventory and photographs, the new tenants’ contact details, and the first month’s rent plus deposit (ready for you to lodge with an appropriate deposit provider), minus our fees.
We agree a rental figure, market the property, carry out accompanied viewings and secure a suitable tenant. This includes all the same activities as included in our Fully managed service, as well as providing tenants with the landlord’s bank details for direct rent payments. You will receive the signed tenancy agreement, full inventory and photographs, the new tenants’ contact details, and the first month’s rent plus deposit (ready for you to lodge with an appropriate deposit provider), minus our fees.
After the tenancy begins, we remain available should you need general advice or guidance and we are available to perform any work you require, on an ad hoc basis.