Local Lettings Agency
About Us
The Local Lettings Agency (LLA) was established in 2010 as a service for Derbyshire. We are a partnership between DASH (Decent and Safe Homes), local housing providers and four Derbyshire Local Authorities (Amber Valley Borough Council, Derby City Council, Erewash Borough Council and South Derbyshire District Council).
The LLA assists landlords by finding suitable referenced tenants which can be referred by the respective local councils housing advice teams. The tenants are then given advice and guidance on how to ensure the tenancy is a success. The landlord can be signposted to letting agents who provide a full management service should the landlord not want to take on the management of the property themselves. LLA landlords often have access to any landlord incentive or grants which may be available and much more!
Our Aim
Our aim is to improve access to private rented accommodation for households in housing need whilst providing landlords with a ready supply of tenants as well as advice, guidance and support in managing the tenancy. The project works alongside the local authority bond scheme and has achieved great success working with landlords who have both large and small portfolios providing a service which is professional, cost effective and ethical.
Watch our LLA service video for a brief overview of our service.
Satisfied customer testimonials
" Many thanks for all your help in making the rental of my property go through smoothly and stress free....any questions have been answered thoroughly and efficiently....I hope to offer more of my properties to the service in the future.... Mr P – Derbyshire"
Quote from satisfied landlords
"I would like to thank you and your team for the excellent service you have provided." Ms G, Derby
What we offer
- A wealth of experience in all aspects of Property Letting, Tenancy Support and Housing Maintenance
- Priority access to any incentives or grants which may be available
- Acquiring of tenant
- Assistance in tenancy documentation
- Organisation of deposit bond
- Assistance with on-going housing benefit issues
- Preparation of inventory
- Organisation of gas/electrical and energy performance certificates
- Liaison with all other third parties where required
- In depth knowledge of housing issues
- Fast and friendly service
Areas Covered
The LLA can provide a service to landlords with properties in the following areas:
| Derby | Alfreton | Belper | Crich |
| Heanor | Ripley | Ilkeston | Long Eaton |
| Sandiacre | Sawley | Melbourne | Swadlincote |
| Burnaston | Newhall | Woodville | and many more |
What do I need to do to become registered with the scheme?
Before we can find you a tenant, we will need to see the following:
- Proof Of Ownership Documents
- Gas Safety Certificate
- EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
- NICEIC Electrical certificate
- Buildings Insurance Documents
- Proof Of ID
Of course we offer a service whereby we can help you organise some of these documents with minimum fuss to you.
Dependant on the condition of the property, a landlord may be advised to carry out any necessary works in order to meet the guidelines of health and safety before the property can be tenanted.
HOW TO APPLY FOR OUR SCHEME:
First point of contact:
Michelle Howell 01332 256306
or email: michelle.howell@derby.gov.uk
The first point of contact is the Project Officer Michelle Howell, who will discuss the property details and your previous experience of being a landlord. You will be advised of the options and services available to you and any concerns you may have will be discussed freely.
If you would like to progress further, one of our friendly staff will arrange an appropriate time to visit your property and carry out a health and safety assessment. If the property is ready to let then the local council will source you a suitable tenant, support both parties through the agreement and rental process until the tenant is settled into their new home. A full inventory will be taken before any bond is issued for your peace of mind.
Development of the Scheme
The Derbyshire Local Letting Agency (LLA) successfully launched in October 2010 at an event which was attended by representatives from all scheme partners as well as Local Authority officers, Councillors and Communities and Local Government.
Due to the large efficiency savings and improvements to housing the scheme offers, DASH was awarded funds by the East Midlands Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (EMIEP) to run the project.
DASH is currently working with four Local Authorities in Derbyshire and assisting them to decrease their reliance on temporary accommodation and helping their tenants successfully access the Private Rented Sector. These are;
Amber Valley Borough Council along with Amber Valley Housing Limited
Derby City Council
Erewash Borough Council
South Derbyshire District Council
These Local Authorities agreed to support the Local Letting Agency as they recognised the additional housing options that would be available to households that might normally be restricted within the Private Rented Sector.
DASH is also supporting local authorities in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire on similar local letting agency models that best suit their housing markets.
Our partners appreciate that by accessing the private rented sector in a controlled manner it can ease the pressure on Council waiting lists by offering good quality, affordable accommodation.
Since the Scheme Launch
In Summer 2010 the Local Letting Agency partnership was nominated as a finalist in the 2010 Public Service/Not for Profit category at the prestigious Landlord & Letting Awards and in August the scheme was successfully voted as a commended finalist.
We have also been asked to speak at various conferences across the country and to advise different types of organisations how we set up the scheme. More recently we gave a presentation on our success at a Westminster Briefing in London.
Contact Details
For more information on the Derbyshire Local Letting Agency or if you are looking at how best to access the Private Rented Sector in your area then please do contact us:
Michelle Howell
DASH/LLA Project Officer
01332 256 306
LANDLORD FAQ
What are the Benefits for landlords?
Our task is to let your property to private tenants. The LLA service will source and install a tenant for you, giving you peace of mind. Service benefits include:
- Fast Tenant referral
- High occupancy rates
- Dedicated housing benefit officers
- Access to renovation/landlord incentive grants if they are available within the area
- Not-for-profit scheme so all proceeds are recycled back into the scheme
- ALL letting regulations are strictly enforced by us
- Hassle Free Income, payments made to landlord on specific day each month
If I choose to go ahead, how soon can you start?
As soon as we establish our initial contact and take out all necessary assessments, then we can start work on installing a tenant into your property.
How long will it take before I have a tenant?
This will depend on the standard of the property, but if there are no serious issues then the process can take as little as one week.
Who will be my Tenant?
Tenants are identified as households who are potentially homeless and may be referred by the Local Authority Housing Options Teams to the scheme. Other tenants will be routed through the council’s Choice Based Letting schemes and will be able to bid for an advertised property. You will be advised of any suitable tenants for your property. Individuals may also approach the service directly looking for private rented accommodation.
All prospective, eligible tenants will be offered a council bond – which is a paper deposit provided to the landlord on commencement of the tenancy.
What will the rent be?
It is our job to ensure and advise you of the most appropriate rate of rent in your market area at the time as well as keeping the rent at an affordable amount. Where tenants are in receipt of housing allowance or benefits, the rent is linked to Local Housing Allowance which is based on market rents so we aim to keep the monthly rent within these rates.
When will I get my first rent payment?
It is general practice to get the first payment being made around 6-8 weeks after the signing of the tenancy agreement. In most cases rental income will be paid directly to the landlord – giving landlords additional peace of mind.
What are the basic requirements for the property?
It is necessary to have an up to date Electrical Safety Certificate, Gas Safety Certificate and an EPC (Energy performance Certificate). These are required of all rented properties. Before allowing a property to be tenanted it must be safe, in good repair and have all the basic amenities in working order.
How will I know if my property is suitable or not?
Our objective is to take almost any property providing all the legal requirements can be met by the Landlord. One of our staff will arrange to visit the property and make the health and safety assessment, so you as a landlord can be sure that you will meet all the minimum legal requirements.
My property has been empty for a long time; can I still join the scheme?
Yes, the scheme will work with you and help support you to get the property back into a fit state for tenants. We will be able to direct you to the right contacts in your local area that may be able to assist you with grants and services for empty properties.
Does the agency take care of repairs?
No. Landlords are responsible for the on-going maintenance and repairs of the properties they own. Additional or malicious damage will be dealt with under the terms of the bond scheme.
Am I responsible for the utilities?
The landlord is responsible for the utilities while the property is vacant. When being tenanted we will notify the utility company of a change of tenant, assist them with setting up a utility account and provide any necessary meter readings.
What happens when there is a void?
As soon as the landlord notifies us that the property is empty or due to become vacant, an internal inspection will be carried out and the landlord will be advised on any maintenance issues needed and then a new tenant will be found.
What happens when the tenant moves out?
- Should there be damage to the property then this will be assessed under the terms of the bond scheme.
Do I need to tell anyone I’m letting?
Mortgager: Most mortgage companies will insist that you get prior approval to any lettings.
Freeholder: Most lease-holds will stipulate that you gain prior permission before any sub-letting can take place.
Insurance: To ensure full protection for yourself and the property it's vitally important that you disclose all tenant details to the insurance company.
Are there any catches?
No, there are no catches or any further hidden charges to either landlord or tenant. We pride ourselves on providing the best service to both tenants and landlords. Our services are open to any serious landlords with properties in the Derbyshire area, who want peace of mind and access to a ready supply of tenants.
What do I do next to proceed with your service?
Contact Michelle Howell on 01332 256 306 or email michelle.howell@derby.gov.uk