Brighton & Hove Residential Lettings - Frequently asked questions

20th May 2024

These are answers to some of the questions our Brighton & Home Residential Lettings team often get asked from Landlords and Tenants.

Landlord FAQ

How much is my property worth to rent?

The best way to find out is to book a free valuation with one of our qualified Residential Lettings Valuers, who will use their experience and comparable evidence to work out the best possible price achievable.

What do I need to worry about legally to let my property out?

You will need an EICR, a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate, and an EPC

What is an EPC?

The EPC measures the efficiency of the property and gives it a rating from A to G, from which perspective tenants can get an idea of how much energy the property will consume.

What is an EICR?

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a thorough form of testing which checks to see if your property is up to current electrical standards.

What is the maximum capacity of my property?

We would recommend using this calculation as a guide:

Studio flat = 1 person

One-bedroom property = 2 people max (single occupant or a couple)

Two-bedroom property = 3 people max (couple plus child, no more than 2 adults)

Three-bedroom property = 4 people max (couple plus 2 children, or 3 adults sharing, subject to the type of property and HMO licensing criteria)

Four-bedroom property = 5 people max (couple plus 3 children, no more than 4 adults sharing, subject to type of property and HMO licensing criteria)

Should I accept pets?

Only if your property is suitable; if it has a garden or the building in general is accepting of pets, then this can be attractive for pet owning tenants.

Should I accept Universal Credit?

If a tenant can provide good references and a guarantor earning over 36 times the monthly rent, then this may be worth considering.

Should I accept corporate lets?

We do not recommend it, because we do not want to lose control of who is living at the property.

Should I accept Students?

Brighton has a thriving student market, with many international tenants coming to the city for various types of qualifications. If your property is suitable and available at the right time of year, then this could be a consideration worth making.

Tenant FAQ

Can I arrange a viewing?

Of course, please answer these questions first so that we can assess your options:

1) How many tenants are looking to move?

2) Is the tenant(s) working or student(s)?

3) What is your move in date?

4) Do you have any pets?

5) Preferred locations?

6) Maximum budget?

7) Furnished/Unfurnished?

What do I need to pass referencing?

You will need a clean credit score, a positive landlord reference, and to be in in employment on a permanent contract for more than 6 months with a salary that is 30 times monthly rent.

Will I need a guarantor?

If you do not think that you will meet the criteria or have issues with your credit score then a guarantor who earns 36 times the monthly rent could be provided, the other option would be to pay 6 months’ rent in advance.

What are the parking restrictions?

This will depend on the area that the property is in, but further information can be found on the council's parking website.

I can see the property is advertised as furnished, is it possible to rent it unfurnished?

I’m afraid not, the landlord has furnished the property for letting purposes as it fits the target market for this type of accommodation, so we are instructed to find tenants who need the furniture.

I can see the property is listed as available now, but can I rent it in 6 months’ time?

No, sorry. The properties we list as available now are looking for tenants to move in ASAP, but if you register your details with us we will keep you informed about future listings.

I have just viewed the property and I would like to go ahead with renting it, what are the next steps?

Great! Please respond to the booking confirmation email we sent you with all your details in the table provided. Once received we will speak to the Landlord about your application and if successful ask you to pay a holding deposit via our referencing platform.