Frequently Asked Questions

We offer service levels ranging from tenant introduction and letting through to rent collection and comprehensive property management. Depending on the service selected, this can include marketing, viewings, tenant referencing, tenancy documentation, Right to Rent checks, rent collection, arrears management, property inspections, maintenance coordination and certificate management.

We prepare property particulars, professional marketing and applicant matching, then advertise suitable instructions across the main property-search channels used by buyers and tenants. Edward Chase markets properties on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket, together with other major property sub-portals and our social-media channels, giving each instruction broad local and national exposure.

Edward Chase is a member of The Property Ombudsman and ARLA Propertymark. Where we hold client money, we operate with Propertymark Client Money Protection (CMP), which is designed to protect landlord and tenant funds if a member firm misappropriates client money. Edward Chase is also a member of the Federation of Independent Agents (FIA).

Our Rent Protection Warranty is designed to give landlords additional protection after successful tenant referencing. Subject to the provider's eligibility criteria and full terms, it can provide up to 15 months' rent cover, arrears management, legal support and possession costs following non-payment of rent or the expiry of a valid notice on an eligible mandatory Section 8 ground.

The current FCC Paragon RentProtect terms provide a maximum benefit of £100,000 per claim and cover monthly rents up to £5,000. Claims must be notified within the provider's required timescale and the tenancy, referencing, deposit, licensing and other compliance requirements must remain valid.

Potentially, yes. Under the current RentProtect terms, where a lawful statutory rent increase has been served correctly and the tenant refers it to the First-tier Tribunal, the warranty may cover the difference between the old rent and proposed new rent while the tribunal considers the matter. This element is subject to strict conditions, evidence of market value, the warranty limits and the provider's terms.

Referencing normally includes identity and Right to Rent checks, affordability assessment, credit checks and, where applicable, employment and previous landlord references. We may use a specialist third-party referencing provider. The exact checks depend on the tenancy and applicant circumstances.

Rent-protection products may be available where the applicant and tenancy meet the insurer's criteria. We can explain the current policy options, eligibility and limits before you choose a service.

Requirements can include a valid EPC, gas safety record where gas is present, an Electrical Installation Condition Report, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarm compliance and any licence required by the local authority. Additional obligations may apply to HMOs or licensed properties.

Landlords remain responsible for statutory repairing obligations such as the structure and exterior and installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and hot water. Tenants are normally responsible for looking after the property, reporting defects promptly and paying for damage they cause beyond fair wear and tear.

For properties managed by Edward Chase, tenants should report repair issues through our Fixflo maintenance portal so the matter can be logged, triaged and assigned correctly. Emergency matters should still be reported immediately using the relevant emergency contact route.

Where a tenancy deposit is taken, it must be dealt with in accordance with the applicable deposit-protection rules. The tenancy documents will identify the relevant scheme and the prescribed information to be provided.

Under our rent-collection and management services, we can monitor payments, contact tenants regarding arrears, provide statements and take appropriate management steps in line with the service agreed. Formal possession action or court proceedings may require separate legal work.

Yes. We can help identify whether local licensing may apply, coordinate supporting information and, where agreed, assist with an application or management process. The property owner remains responsible for ensuring that any required licence and planning position are correct.

Non-resident landlord tax rules may apply when the landlord's usual place of abode is outside the UK. We will ask for the relevant HMRC approval or registration information and explain how rent will be accounted for where we collect it.

Rent increases must follow the current statutory process and any applicable tenancy rules. For assured periodic tenancies, Edward Chase can advise on current market evidence, notice requirements and the formal rent-review process.

Tenants are responsible for arranging appropriate contents insurance for their own belongings and personal possessions. The landlord's building insurance does not normally insure a tenant's personal items against theft, accidental damage, fire or other loss.

Your negotiator will record the proposed rent, intended move-in date, occupiers and any specific requirements so the offer can be put to the landlord. An offer is subject to landlord approval, referencing and the tenancy being completed.

For an assured tenancy in England, a holding deposit is capped at one week's rent for the tenancy. It is normally used while pre-tenancy checks are completed. Whether it is refunded or retained depends on the circumstances and the current Tenant Fees Act rules.

You may be asked for proof of identity and address, employment and income information, residential history, landlord/agent details and consent for credit and affordability checks. Please complete the application carefully and make sure your employer and landlord are expecting a reference request.

Landlords and agents must check that adult occupiers have the legal right to rent in England. You may therefore be asked to provide the appropriate identity or immigration-status evidence before occupation and, where required, during the tenancy.

Unless the property advert or tenancy terms say otherwise, tenants are normally responsible for utilities and household charges such as gas, electricity, water, council tax, communications and television licensing. Some developments or all-inclusive lettings are different, so check the property-specific terms.

If Edward Chase manages your property, report maintenance through our online Fixflo system at edward-chase.fixflo.com. Include photographs and as much detail as possible so the issue can be assessed quickly.

Except in an emergency, access should normally be arranged with appropriate notice and at a reasonable time for inspections, repairs or other permitted purposes. Your tenancy agreement will set out the relevant access provisions.

Please make a written request before bringing a pet into the property. The request will be considered under the current tenancy rules, the landlord's instructions and any superior lease or building restrictions that apply.

No additional occupier should move in and the property must not be sublet without prior written approval. Right to Rent, licensing, occupancy limits and referencing may need to be checked before any change is agreed.

Follow the notice requirements in your tenancy, remove your belongings and rubbish, return the property in the required condition allowing for fair wear and tear, arrange final meter readings, provide a forwarding address and return all keys/fobs as instructed.

Rent remains due until the tenancy has legally ended in accordance with the tenancy and applicable law. Simply moving out early does not by itself end the tenancy. Contact us before making arrangements so the correct end date and key handover can be confirmed.

Tenants are responsible for their own possessions. The landlord's building or contents insurance does not normally cover your personal belongings, so you should consider your own contents insurance.

Contact our office or enquire through the property listing. We will ask for your contact details, requirements and availability and arrange a suitable appointment where possible.

Where we hold keys or have access arrangements, our team will normally coordinate the appointment and explain the property. Some occupied properties may require access to be arranged with the current occupier or owner.

Appointment availability depends on the property, occupier and access arrangements. Tell us your preferred times and we will try to find the closest available slot.

Yes, subject to availability and access. Second viewings can be useful for measuring rooms, bringing another decision-maker or revisiting points you want to check before making a firm decision.

Consider room sizes, storage, heating, windows, natural light, parking, transport, broadband availability, outdoor space and any building rules. Ask which bills are included and who manages the property after move-in.

Look at the property's condition, layout, storage, outside space, parking, lease length and service charges where relevant, and whether any alterations or extensions need further investigation. A viewing is not a substitute for a professional survey.

Yes. Contact the negotiator who arranged your viewing and provide your offer together with any useful information about your position, proposed timescale and conditions.

Submit your offer through Edward Chase. We will normally ask for details of your buying position, funding, chain status and any conditions so the seller receives a clear picture of the offer.

Yes. Estate agents must carry out anti-money-laundering checks and sellers will also want confidence that a buyer can proceed. Depending on your circumstances we may request identification, proof of deposit/cash funds and mortgage information.

It is an indication from a lender of how much they may be prepared to lend, subject to full underwriting, valuation and other checks. It can help demonstrate your buying position when making an offer.

A lender's valuation is primarily for the lender and is not the same as a survey for you. Many buyers choose an independent survey appropriate to the property before committing to the purchase.

You should identify a solicitor early so they are ready when your offer is accepted. The legal process includes reviewing title information and contracts, carrying out searches, raising enquiries and dealing with exchange and completion.

Once a sale is agreed and the required information is available, the agent can issue a memorandum recording the agreed price and the parties' solicitor details. It is not itself a legally binding sale contract.

Your solicitor should review the lease, remaining term, ground rent provisions, service charges, building insurance arrangements, management information, major works and any restrictions. You should also budget for ongoing service charges.

In a standard England and Wales transaction, the parties are generally not legally bound to complete the sale until contracts have been exchanged by their solicitors. Your conveyancer should explain the precise position to you.

There is no fixed timescale. Mortgage applications, surveys, searches, enquiries, leasehold management information and property chains can all affect progress. We help keep communication moving between the parties and solicitors.

Our sales instructions are marketed through the major property-search channels including Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket, together with relevant property sub-portals, our own website, applicant database and social-media channels. We also use professional property particulars and photography to help maximise buyer engagement.

Yes, subject to limited exemptions. An EPC is required when a property is sold, and an EPC must be commissioned before the property is marketed if there is not already a valid certificate. EPCs are generally valid for 10 years.

We consider recent comparable evidence, current competing listings, property type, size, condition, location, tenure and buyer demand. The recommended asking strategy may differ from an eventual sale price.

Depending on the agreed package, marketing can include property particulars, photography, floor plans, online listings, direct applicant matching, viewings and feedback. Premium marketing options may include enhanced photography, video or virtual-tour content.

An EPC is generally required when a residential property is marketed for sale unless a specific exemption applies. We can confirm what is needed for your property and help arrange one where required.

We are required to complete anti-money-laundering checks. This normally includes evidence of identity, address and ownership, and we may need further information depending on the ownership structure or circumstances.

No. The decision is yours. We will explain the price together with the buyer's position, funding, chain, timescale and any conditions so you can assess the strength of the offer as a whole.

Yes. We aim to obtain meaningful feedback and keep you updated so we can discuss price, presentation and marketing strategy where necessary.

We confirm the agreed position, obtain the parties' conveyancer details and work with the buyer, seller and legal representatives to progress the transaction. Surveys, mortgage valuation, searches and legal enquiries then take place before exchange and completion.

Sole agency means one estate agent is appointed for the agreed period under the terms of the agency agreement. Your signed Edward Chase sales agreement will confirm the minimum term, commission basis and any continuing fee liability, so please read it carefully before instruction.

You can ask us to stop marketing, but the notice, minimum agency period and any fees or continuing obligations depend on your signed sales agreement and the circumstances of the sale. Please contact us before withdrawing so we can confirm the contractual position.

Yes. Where agreed with the freeholder, developer or building owner, we can provide a joined-up service for letting individual units while also coordinating agreed communal and building-management services. The exact responsibilities are set out in the management agreement for that building.

The service can be tailored to the building and may include communal-area inspections, contractor coordination, hallway cleaning, window-cleaning programmes, refuse and waste arrangements, fire-safety servicing, water-system services, access controls, parking controls and occupier communication.

Yes, where we are instructed for both. This gives the building owner one point of contact for the tenancies and the agreed shared services. Individual tenancy obligations and freeholder/building obligations are still managed separately in accordance with the relevant agreements.

We can arrange recurring cleaning for communal entrances, stairs, landings and other shared internal areas. Frequency and specification are agreed for the individual building and contractor performance can be monitored as part of the management service.

Yes. We can schedule internal or external communal window cleaning where access, height and building design allow, using appropriate contractors and an agreed cleaning cycle.

We can coordinate agreed bin-store and waste-management arrangements, communicate collection rules to occupiers and arrange additional clearances where authorised. Local-authority or private collection arrangements vary by building.

Yes. Where Edward Chase is appointed to manage the relevant communal systems, we can coordinate specialist contractors for the scheduled testing and servicing of communal fire alarms, smoke-detection systems, emergency lighting and associated panels. The building's fire-risk assessment and responsible-person duties determine what is required.

Where the building has communal roof-mounted, plant-room or fire-alarm control equipment within our agreed remit, we can arrange the relevant specialist testing, servicing and record keeping. The precise maintenance schedule depends on the equipment and fire-safety documentation for the building.

Yes. Depending on the building, we can coordinate inspections, cleaning, sampling or risk-assessment work for communal water tanks and water systems through competent contractors. The required programme depends on the system design, risk assessment and legal responsibilities.

Yes. We can administer agreed resident bay allocations, permits, fobs, visitor arrangements and communication with parking-control providers. Where enforcement is outsourced, the contractor's terms and signage requirements will apply.

Issues are logged, assessed and allocated to an appropriate contractor in accordance with the authority and spending limits in the building-management agreement. Urgent safety matters are prioritised, while larger works may require owner approval, quotations or specialist reports.

We can agree a routine inspection programme for the common parts and shared services. Inspections help identify cleaning, lighting, fire-safety, access, waste, water ingress and general maintenance concerns before they become larger problems.

Residents can be given a defined reporting route for communal faults and building issues. Where appropriate, we can use our maintenance reporting system so reports, photographs and contractor updates remain logged in one place.

Yes, subject to agreement. We can discuss pre-launch rental strategy, unit marketing, tenant onboarding, key and fob control, building rules, communal-service mobilisation and ongoing management so the building starts with consistent procedures from the outset.

Yes. For a whole-building instruction we can structure reporting so the owner or developer has a central Edward Chase contact for tenancy activity, communal issues, contractors and agreed building services.

No. Every building has different plant, fire systems, access arrangements, leases, cleaning needs and owner requirements. We first establish the scope and then agree the services, contractor responsibilities, authorisation limits and reporting structure in writing.