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Gateway Guides

Selling with Gateway

Everything you need to know about selling your home with Gateway’s excellent, cost-effective sales packages.

How much will it cost to sell my home?

Sole Agency
Under £500k: 1% + VAT
Over £500k: 0.75% + VAT

Multi Agency
Under £500k: 1.25% + VAT
Over £500k: 1% + VAT

Our fees exclude disbursements, for example title searches, landlord fees, Energy Performance Certificates etc.

Do I need to pay extra for your conveyancing and mortgage advice services?

Yes, legal and financial services from Gateway would be at an additional cost. Please contact us today for more information.

When will I have to pay?

You only pay Gateway when your home is sold.

Disbursements are payable at the relevant point in the sale’s process.

Can I accept multiple agencies?

Yes.

Where will you advertise my property?

Rightmove, Zoopla, PrimeLocation, our website, and our social media channels.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Your Customer Manager is available for any queries you may have.

Do you check the suitability of buyers?

Yes, we will check if finances or a mortgage are in place. Once you’ve accepted an offer, we’ll also carry out full money-laundering checks to ensure the buyer is the actual buyer.

Will I get a ‘For sale’ sign?

Yes.

How quickly will you list my property?

As soon as you are happy with our marketing strategy, we will launch your listing immediately, or on a date of your choosing.

Am I able to change the sale price?

Property values can fluctuate. We’re always open to discussion and will advise you accordingly to realise the best market price.

Do I still have to pay Gateway if my home doesn’t sell?

No. (excluding disbursements)

What if I change my mind about selling?

That’s absolutely fine. We will require 14 days notice, as standard.

What areas do you cover?

Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Rayleigh, Benfleet and their surrounding areas.

See: Areas We Cover

Who deals with the legal side?

Our associated law firm, Gateway Conveyancing Limited, can join up your property sale. This means a better service, improved efficiency all-round and greater savings.

Who will create the floorplans?

We will do create accurate floorplans for your property.

Will I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Yes, this is a legal requirement.

Who will negotiate and look after my sale?

We will. You’ll have a dedicated, single point of contact – your Customer Manager – throughout your sale.

Who does the viewings?

We will arrange viewings on your behalf at a time that’s convenient for you to show the potential buyers around.

A guide for tenants

Our tenant guide provides important information for your tenancy.

Setting your criteria

Before you start looking for the right property, first consider what your priorities are – location, number of bedrooms, size of lounge, garden, parking etc, and match them against your budget requirements.

Once you have decided what your criteria is you can then start your property search. You can register online with usfor property updates or contact us on 01702 443 546.

Booking an appointment to view

Once you have found a property that you are interested in, get in touch with the office to arrange a convenient time for you to view the property.

Register your interest

If you would like to rent a property that you have seen, you should then notify us that you would like to rent it out and request an application form.

Referencing & holding deposit

At this stage you will be asked to pay a holding deposit. The referencing process then begins and as a minimum will include:

References from your landlord/agent
References from your employer
Credit checks
Right to rent checks

In some circumstances you may be asked to provide a guarantor. The same reference checks are then carried out for your guarantor as were done for you.

We will then notify you if your application has been successful.

Signing the tenancy agreement

A tenancy agreement is then drawn up which details all of the legal and contractual obligations that both you and your landlord must adhere to. It is important that you are familiar with the agreement before you sign it.

The security deposit and the first rental payment is then taken. It is a legal requirement that the tenancy deposit is registered with a Government approved deposit protection scheme after it has been paid.

Before you can move in you must pay the balance of any monies owed.

Moving In

Before you move in, Gateway Residential (or the Landlord) will in most cases prepare an inventory. This document describes the condition of the property and anything left behind by the landlord. The inventory is used when you leave the property to ensure that the condition that you leave it in can be fairly assessed against any deposit deductions that may come up.

Insurance – your landlord is responsible for insuring the building and their possessions, but you may want to take out your own content’s insurance separately.

During your tenancy

oth you and your landlord have responsibilities while you are living in the property.

As the tenant you are expected to:

Pay the rent in a timely manner
Pay the relevant council tax and utility bills unless otherwise agreed
Carry out general household and garden maintenance
Dispose of all rubbish responsibly
Clean the windows
Advise of any repairs or maintenance needed as soon as it arises
Ventilate the property
Not create a noise nuisance for neighbours

Permitted payments and tenant protection information

Permitted payments

For properties in England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means that in addition to rent, lettings agents can only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant’s behalf) the following permitted payments

Deposits (a maximum deposit of 5 weeks’ rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above);
Deposits (a maximum deposit of 5 weeks’ rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above);
Payments to change a tenancy agreement eg. change of sharer (capped at £50 or, if higher, any reasonable costs);
Payments to change a tenancy agreement eg. change of sharer (capped at £50 or, if higher, any reasonable costs);
Payments associated with early termination of a tenancy (capped at the landlord’s loss or the agent’s reasonably incurred costs);
Payments associated with early termination of a tenancy (capped at the landlord’s loss or the agent’s reasonably incurred costs);
Utilities, communication services (eg. telephone, broadband), TV licence and council tax;
Utilities, communication services (eg. telephone, broadband), TV licence and council tax;

For properties in Wales, the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill, once enacted, means that in addition to rent, lettings agents can only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant’s behalf) the following permitted payments:

Holding deposits (a maximum of 1 week’s rent);
Payments for the late payment of rent;
Deposits;
A breach of a term of the contract;
Utilities, communication services (e.g. telephone, broadband), TV licence and council tax;
Any other permitted payments under the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill and regulations once enacted.

Letting essentials

Read all about the fundamentals of being a landlord, from what’s required when handling a tenant’s deposit to gaining consent to let and your insurance options.

Deposits

When taking a deposit for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) in England or Wales (the default legal category of residential tenancy), all landlords – or their letting agents – must register key details and safeguard the money held.

This is achieved by using a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). The Housing Act 2004 refers and more details can be found online. Separate schemes apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If we act as your letting agent

We’ll collect the deposit on your behalf and administer theTenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). We can also provide our full management service, which takes care of everything on your behalf. Once a contract is terminated, we’ll refund, or Depending on your circumstances, you may be responsible for insuring the building. Comprehensive buildings insurance policies will cover damage caused by flood, fire, storm, subsidence (normally) and a number of other risks (perils). If you have a mortgage on the property you wish to rent out, you must first obtain consent from your mortgage lender. You should also check whether you own your property freehold or have a lease. If the latter, your lease may require you to obtain consent from your landlord before sub-letting it. apportion, the deposit as agreed by you and the tenant in a quick and timely manner.

If you manage your property

Before deciding on how you’d like to manage your deposits, speak to us as we’ll be happy to provide some free guidance. Most likely, we’ll recommend that you lodge your tenant’s deposit with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) within 14 days. The DPS is the only free scheme available and is open to all landlords and letting agents.

For further information, go to depositprotection.com and it’s worth visiting the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) too, at thedisputeservice.co.uk (authorised by the Department for Communities and Local Government).

Consent to let

If you have a mortgage on the property you wish to rent out, you must first obtain consent from your mortgage lender.

You should also check whether you own your property freehold or have a lease. If the latter, your lease may require you to obtain consent from your landlord before sub-letting it.

Insurance for landlords

Depending on your circumstances, you may be responsible for insuring the building.

Comprehensive buildings insurance policies will cover damage caused by flood, fire, storm, subsidence (normally) and a number of other risks (perils).

You may also wish to consider Rent & Legal Protection.

Our associated company can advise you on what’s best. For further details, visit our subsidiary company: Gateway Insurance Brokers.

Property regulations

Here’s an overview of your main legal requirements as a landlord. We’ll make sure you meet these regulations when required as part of our full property management service.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) October 2008

All landlords are required to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their rented property, issued by an approved EPC assessor.

This certificate will show the energy efficiency rating of your property, based on a scale from A (the most energy efficient) to G (the least efficient).

An EPC lasts for 10 years and can be used for multiple tenancies throughout that period.

At Gateway Residential, we work in partnership with experienced EPC assessors to produce a swift report, avoiding any delays in marketing your property.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

Landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) must ensure every electrical installation in their residential premises is inspected and tested at intervals of no more than 5 years by a qualified and competent person.

Following the inspection and testing, a private landlord must:

Obtain a report from the person conducting that inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test;
Supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test;
Retain a copy of that report until the next inspection and test is due and supply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test; and
Supply a copy of the most recent report to –
- Any new tenant of the specified tenancy to which the report relates before that tenant occupiesthose premises; and
- Any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective tenant

Gas Safety (installation And Use) Regulations 1998, Gas Safe

A landlord must make sure that every gas appliance and gas installation pipe work owned by them is checked for safety at lease once a year, avoiding the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Inspections need to be carried out by a registered engineer (formerly from the Corgi Register; now the Gas Safe Register), who will assess installation and maintenance.

You should keep accurate records of these safety inspections and have a current Gas Safe safety certificate to hand.

This certificate must always be available for a tenant to see before occupying a property. These regulations first came into force in 1994, with subsequent updates.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Legislation

Landlords are legally required to put working smoke alarms on every floor of their property where there is a room used wholly or partially as living accommodation.

Landlords must also put working carbon monoxide alarms in every room with an appliance that burns, or is capable of burning, solid fuel (not gas or gas boilers). This includes log and coal burning stoves and open fires, even if these are not normally in use.

The regulations apply to houses and flats and failure to comply can lead to a civic penalty of up to £5,000

Explore our helpful guides

Selling with Gateway

Everything you need to know about selling your home with Gateway’s excellent, cost-effective sales packages.

Download our selling guide

Our tenants guide

Renting a property for the first time? Our tenant guide provides important information for your tenancy.

Download our tenants guide

A guide for landlords

Our landlord guides can help ensure you are compliant with your investment properties.

Download our guide for landlords

What an amazing service! I had my property on the market for three months with two other agents before Gateway came along. I then accepted an offer within two weeks! Everything was handled swiftly and I was kept informed throughout the process. I made a big saving as well as they included the solicitors fees with the sale cost. Absolutely chuffed with that!

Lloyd

David was so helpful at every stage of the mortgage process - he explained everything really clearly and kept us informed of the various mortgage options throughout the time we've been working with him. He is incredibly quick at responding to all of our emails - couldn't recommend him highly enough!!

Rachel

If you want an honest no-nonsense estate agent who you can trust completely then choose Gateway. David and the team were so supportive from start to finish and always went the extra mile when required. They will give you fair, honest advise and are always on hand when you need them. The charges are very fair for an excellent service. Would definitely recommend to friends and family and happily go back should we need them in the future.

Lee R

Gateway helped us to secure a mortgage helping us buy our first home! They made the process so simple and stress free and was able to assist with any questions we had and always responded promptly and nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend!

Emma

So happy! My property received a lot of attention and I was inundated with viewings and offers within the first 2 weeks of listing. From start to finish, Gateway’s efficiency was excellent. I would definitely recommend!

Lee O

Gateway was great from the moment we told them our budget and requirements, to us signing on the dotted line. They were very attentive throughout, providing us with regular updates around where the application was up to/ what was required from us to move it forward. They were always contactable and replied promptly. Great experience all round.

Holly

Value For Money

Impeccable service and transparent fees

At Gateway we pride ourselves on delivering the very best service within a clear and reasonable fee structure for Sales, Lettings and Portfolio Management.

Our current fees

Call us on 01702 443 546 or click here to get in touch.

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