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Published: 17 May 2021

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Preparing to Sell Your Bristol Property When Lockdown Ends

By now, we’ve all marked June 21st in the diary as the day normal life will hopefully resume.

Many people have waited patiently since March 2020 for the market to stabilise, in order to sell their property in Bristol. 

Now, the time is quickly approaching to get your property ready for the market. Our team of experienced estate agents in Bristol have put together a few tips on what you can do in the coming months to get ready for putting your home on the market when lockdown has lifted. 

Clean up or add some value to your property.

Whether you’re throwing on a lick of paint, sprucing the garden, or decluttering, a few projects around the house can drastically improve the look and feel of your home that potential buyers can see in pictures or person. You also have time to tackle more ambitious projects such as remodelling the bathroom or adding a patio to the back garden, which can add value to your property.

Consult with an estate agent in Bristol about how best to add value and make your property more enticing to potential buyers.

Research the housing market you’re selling and buying in.

Sometimes people have an idea of what a property is valued at without ever researching the market. If they haven’t done any market research before, an estate agent in Bristol values their property, and then they might be incredibly happy or seriously disappointed. 

Whether you’re looking for a specific part of Bristol, a set number of rooms or a certain age of property, it makes sense to get a rough idea of the housing market to manage your expectations as to price. 

Get your finances in order.

After waiting so long to sell your home, don’t let paperwork and financial statements be the part to slow you down.

Ensure everything is up-to-date on your credit report, revise your monthly budget, and review any debts you have left to pay off. Having everything in order before you go to a lender will make for a speedier process without any roadblocks. 

Once you’re ready to go to a mortgage lender, you will have countless options on what type of loan to take out, how much, and at what rate. 

It is also a good idea to know a rough idea of how much you will need for a deposit, so when the time comes, you’re not short. Another smart idea is to calculate your moving cost for no last-minute surprises.

Brunt & Fussell are not just your average Bristol estate agents. We offer financial advice as well as property services. We want all of our buyers to feel like they’re in control of their finances, homes, and lives. 

While many people are waiting to sell their homes once lockdown has lifted, many buyers are still actively looking for properties like yours in Bristol. There might not be any need to wait to contact a Bristol estate agent. If you’re considering selling your home, contact us today for your free valuation.

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Published: 10 May 2021

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What to know before letting your property in Bristol

There are over 400 rules and regulations set by 150 laws that landlords and letting agents in bristol need to abide by. 

In fact, there are so many different bits of information you need to stay up-to-date on. that unless you’re a full-time landlord, we recommend using a Bristol letting agency, like Brunt & Fussell, to avoid any hassle.

With Brunt & Fussells’ combined 80 years of experience and Propertymark membership, we can confidently and legally market, let, manage and maintain your property. 

Preparing your property to let in Bristol

Before your property can even legally go to market, you need to demonstrate that the property is “fit to live in”. 

The law requires different properties to have landlords or letting agents in Bristol obtain a property licence or be registered.  Check the government website to confirm if you need any additional licencing. Many Bristol letting agencies such as Brunt & Fussell are fully licenced and registered to avoid you having to deal with additional paperwork. 

England requires your property to meet a minimum EPC rating of “E”. You must renew your Gas Safety Certification annually from a registered Gas Safe engineer.

Your electrics on the property should be checked by a “Part P” registered electrician who belongs to NAPIT, NIEIC, or ECR, and you must secure you get an Electrical Safety Certificate. 

The type of property, and how it is let, will determine the fire risk assessment and fire safety regulations you need to follow.

Lastly, you need to ensure the property is free from damp, mould, and condensation. 


Letting single rooms in a property

When you let each bedroom as a different agreement per tenant, it is classified as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). You will need to adhere to different rules and regulations such as room sizes, fire regulations, and different licencing. Some properties are not permitted to be let as HMO property, and the property must be let as a single unit.
 
Protecting you and your tenant

Once you’ve found a tenant for your property, there are several legal requirements you must follow. 

• Making Right to Rent checks 
• Issuing the correct paperwork
• The deposit is placed in a government tenancy scheme 
• Ensure your tenants understand their rights and responsibilities 

Protect yourself by taking inventory and quality checks of the property and having the correct landlord insurance. 

Lastly, make sure you have the right mortgage. If you currently have a standard residential mortgage on your home, you must speak to your lender before letting it. When you’re paying your mortgage with your income, the loan is seen as low risk. When you’re repaying the loan with renters, then it is seen as a higher risk. 

Choose a lettings agent in Bristol to remove the hassle

If you manage your property in a way that is not legally compliant, then you risk facing heavy fines, prosecution, and banned from being a landlord. 

There is so much to know and keep up-to-date with that sometimes it is better to work with a Bristol letting agency to ensure your letting property is legally managed and maintained.

Contact us today for a free valuation for your property.

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Published: 04 May 2021

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Six factors to consider when choosing a lettings agent in Bristol to manage your properties


As the roadmap to recovery stabilises the UK, the lettings market in Bristol looks more promising than ever.

With some of the highest tenant demands for rental properties, it is a smart move to bring on an experienced team to support you in managing and maintaining your investment properties, especially if you don’t live near your property. 

With hundreds of tenants, that means there are hundreds of letting agencies. So, how do you decide on a letting agency in Bristol to support you and your investment properties? 

Our team at Brunt & Fussell put together the most important points to consider when choosing the right Bristol letting agency for you. 

1.The location of the Bristol letting agency

Different letting agencies specialise in different cities or even specific areas of a city, such as our letting agency in Staple Hill. They know every twist and turn and postcode for that specific market. Another benefit is that an agent is close to the property for 24hr emergency help for the tenant. 

2. Know what services they offer

Not all Bristol letting agencies are the same, nor do they offer the same services. Here at Brunt & Fussell, we offer everything from a full management service to simply collecting and chasing rent payments for you. No property is the same, and that is why we are proud to offer bespoke services for you and your property. 

3. Find a letting agency that is a member of Propertymark

Since letting agencies are unregulated, finding a Bristol letting agency that is a member of the ARLA Propertymark is vital. Agencies who are a member of Propertymark will follow codes of conduct higher than the law demands, and they will ensure proper regulations to protect landlords, tenants, and the agency. Brunt & Fussell are proud members of Propertymark. 

4. Handling paperwork

Paperwork is a crucial part of a letting agreement, and it is essential to ensure you work with a competent Bristol letting agency to protect yourself, your properties, and your tenants.

From Energy Performance Certificates to credit-checks, Brunt & Fussell has an experienced team that can handle all your paperwork for your peace of mind. 

5. Ensure they are following the laws around deposits

By law, all deposits must be registered with a government tenancy scheme. Most agencies will hold the deposit on behalf of the landlord, but they must adhere to all laws and regulations regarding deposits.

6. Marketing your property

Bristol is a very in-demand lettings market, and your property can get lost in the market if an experienced marketing team does not properly advertise and market it. A property lost in the market means no tenant, which results in you losing money until you find one.

 

The Brunt & Fussell team of letting agents in Bristol has over 80 years of combined experience to ensure your property always has a tenant, and you are never out of pocket. 

If you’re looking for a Bristol letting agency to fully manage and maintain your investment property, request your free valuation today.