Let Only & Rent Collection

Our Let Only service handles the entire process of finding and placing a tenant in your property. We take care of marketing, viewings, referencing, compliance checks, tenancy documentation, deposit protection, inventory, and the in-person check-in — then hand everything over to you to manage the tenancy day-to-day. It's a one-off, fixed-fee service designed for landlords who are comfortable managing their own properties but want professional support at the start of each tenancy.

Our Rent Collection service includes everything in our Let Only offering, plus the ongoing collection and management of rent payments throughout the tenancy. We chase rent on your behalf, provide your tenants with secure payment options, produce monthly digital statements, and transfer funds to you promptly. You retain control of maintenance and tenant communication, but we handle the financial administration.

Both our Let Only and Rent Collection services include the following as standard:

• Full property marketing across Rightmove and our tenant database
• Matterport virtual tours
• Accompanied in-person viewings with feedback
• Comprehensive tenant screening and referencing — including identity checks, credit checks, income verification, employer references, previous landlord references, and an affordability rating
• Right to Rent checks under the Immigration Act 2014, with ongoing monitoring where required
• A fully compliant Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), drafted by Dutton Gregory Solicitors and produced by ARLA PropertyMark
• Deposit collection (five weeks' rent per the Tenant Fees Act 2019), protection via the DPS custodial scheme, and serving of deposit prescribed information
• A full digital, time-and-date-stamped photographic inventory
• Compliance overview check covering smoke alarms, Carbon Monoxide alarms, and HHSRS
• Serving of all prescribed information — How to Rent guide, EPC, EICR, Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), deposit documents — with proof of delivery
• Utility management during the changeover between tenants
• In-person check-in and key handover, including a walk-through of the property with the tenant

Our Rent Collection service additionally includes ongoing rent collection, automated payment tracking, and monthly digital statements sent directly to you.

We advertise on Rightmove and use our own constantly growing database of pre-qualified tenants actively looking for properties in Liverpool. We also produce Matterport virtual tours for every property — these are full 3D walkthroughs, not camera-phone videos, allowing prospective tenants to explore the property remotely and even take measurements before viewing in person. In many cases, we already have interested, pre-qualified tenants waiting for a property to become available, meaning some properties are let before ever appearing on Rightmove.

We use a market-leading referencing provider, with checks typically completed on the same day. The screening covers identity confirmation, credit rating, adverse credit warnings, income verification, rental payment history, previous landlord references, and employer references. We also receive an affordability rating for each applicant, telling us the maximum monthly rent they can comfortably sustain.

Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords are legally required to verify that tenants have the right to rent in the UK. For UK and Irish nationals, we check original identity documents in person at check-in. For non-UK nationals, we use the government's online checking service to produce a secure status document. Where a tenant's right to rent is time-limited, we manage the re-checking process and store all documentation securely. Fines for non-compliance are up to £3,000 per tenant. As holders of confidential tenant data, we are registered with the ICO.

At the start of every tenancy, we serve all legally required documents to the tenant: the How to Rent guide, deposit certificate, deposit prescribed information, deposit terms and conditions, EPC, EICR, and Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). We deliver everything through a secure digital system that provides proof of receipt. This is important — if prescribed information hasn't been properly served and evidenced, it can delay or block an eviction, even where rent arrears are the issue.

We collect the maximum permitted deposit of five weeks' rent and protect it in the DPS custodial scheme. We then produce and serve the deposit prescribed information to the tenant, again using our secure digital delivery system to create an evidential trail. If any deposit management is needed during the tenancy, we handle that on your behalf.

Yes. We produce a fully digital inventory with time-and-date-stamped photographs documenting the property's condition on the day the tenant moves in, including all meter readings. The inventory is sent to the tenant for digital signature, giving them the opportunity to add comments. This creates a clear chain of custody and is essential evidence if a deposit claim is ever needed.

We meet the tenant in person at the property to hand over the keys. During check-in, we show them the essentials — fuse board, electric meter, gas meter, water meter, and water stop tap. This visit also serves as the in-person Right to Rent verification, where we confirm that the identification provided matches the occupying tenant.

Yes. We notify utility companies and the local council when a tenant vacates, provide your details for any interim bills, and then register the incoming tenant. All meter readings are recorded and included in our digital inventory and check-out reports.

Yes. We annually review rents across our portfolio and assess whether a rent increase should be proposed. We consider a range of factors including current market value, the tenant's payment history, how well the tenancy has been managed, the condition of the property, and broader market conditions.

Absolutely. We manage the entire transfer process on your behalf, coordinating directly with your current agent to ensure a smooth, fully compliant handover at no additional cost. If your tenants are already in place, the tenant find fee does not apply.

Yes. Once your property is under our management, you'll have access to our proprietary Landlord Portal, built on our in-house platform, Propiance. The portal gives you 24/7 access to real-time data including rental statements, invoices, receipts, tenancy updates, and property performance. You can view our Landlord Portal documentation on our website.

It starts with a free, no-obligation market appraisal. One of our lettings specialists will carry out a desktop analysis and visit your property in person to provide an accurate rental valuation, taking into account market conditions, demand, location, and property condition. From there, onboarding is straightforward — we handle all compliance matters, coordinate with your current agent if applicable, and get everything set up for you.

If you'd like to discuss which service is right for you, get in touch with our team on 0151 438 6473 or at office@lewisfoylettings.co.uk.