Are you a landlord in Hastings? Or perhaps you’re searching for a rental property there? If so, Hasting Council’s new letting agency could help you out.
The council has set up its own agency, Letstart Letting.
The local authority hopes to make rental accommodation accessible and affordable for local families struggling to find secure housing. It also aims to make the lettings process simple and easy for landlords.
There will be no contractual agreement between the landlord and the tenant, as the council takes full responsibility, including finding the tenant, signing the tenant up, collecting rent, some repair work and ending tenancies.
Councillor Kim Forward, Deputy Leader of Hastings Council and Lead Member for Housing and Communities, explains the new agency: “Once the council takes on the management of a property, the Letstart Letting agency team will find suitable tenants and carry out all necessary checks while offering a guaranteed lease period of up to three years, and rent will be paid to the landlord even if the property is empty.
“Throughout the tenancy, the team will deal with the day-to-day care of the landlord’s property and will take every reasonable measure to ensure that it’s protected and treated well.
“The team will act upon all emergency situations and liaise with tenant and landlord on repairs. The property will be returned to the landlord at the end of the lease in exactly the same condition it was taken on (minus fair wear and tear), and repairs will be done to address any tenant damage.”
She adds: “This really is hassle-free letting. So, if you have a property to let or know of someone that does, why not contact the Letstart Letting team to find out more. Also, if you are a tenant, you can recommend this service to your landlord.”1
1 https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/10/hastings-council-sets-up-own-letting-agency