FAQ

Your solicitor will be able to provide an anticipated exchange date, which is the point at which a deposit, usually 10% of the purchase price, is transferred from the buyer's solicitor to the seller's solicitor and the agreement to buy or sell the property becomes legally binding. After the exchange, a completion date is set and communicated to all parties. Bayonne Estates offers assistance with making the transition to running a new property as smooth as possible, as well as moving services. Between the exchange and completion, there are several tasks that need to be arranged, such as removals, key collection, setting up internet and utility services, and more. Bayonne Estates can help with all of these tasks at no additional cost, and also offers expertise in more specialized moves. Bayonne Interiors is also available to work with individual requirements and offer a range of design and furnishing packages to suit all tastes, which can be helpful if you are planning on letting your property.

After completion, Bayonne Estates' office will contact the seller to arrange the transfer of keys and any other necessary information to the buyer. The solicitors will handle the completion process, and the seller's solicitors will call Bayonne Estates to confirm that all funds have been received before the keys can be released to the buyer. In most cases, the buyer will come to the office to collect the keys, but alternative arrangements can be made. Bayonne Estates is always interested in receiving feedback from their clients through Google or Trust Pilot reviews, and will also send a telephone survey after completion to ask for further feedback. The company encourages clients to complete these surveys to help improve their service.

After an offer on a property has been accepted, there are certain tasks that need to be completed to start the conveyancing process. First, buyers should instruct their solicitor as soon as possible by providing identification, proof of address, documentation related to the property being sold, and funds for the legal work. The seller's solicitor will then send a draft contract, which includes the title deeds, lease (if applicable), and all other paperwork related to the sale. The buyer's solicitor will apply for searches with the local authority to gather all relevant information about the property and its immediate surroundings. Then, the solicitors will raise inquiries and discuss the contract before coming to an agreement. All parties will confirm the contracts and the buyer will transfer a deposit, usually 10% of the purchase price, to the seller's solicitors. This prepares for the exchange of contracts, which makes the purchase of the property legally binding. After the exchange has occurred, the final stage is completion, where the remaining funds are sent to the seller's solicitors. Once the seller's solicitors confirm that the purchase is being completed, the keys can be released to the buyers.

Bayonne Estates uses various platforms, including websites and social media, to advertise and showcase their available properties. If you see a property that you're interested in, you can contact the company to request more information and schedule a viewing. To set up your record, Bayonne Estates will ask for basic contact information and details about your property search preferences, such as desired location and size. The company will also ask about your current buying position and any external factors that may influence your search, such as preferred school catchment areas and transportation links. Bayonne Estates will keep you updated on new properties that come on the market and send you matches based on your search preferences.

Bayonne Estates offers virtual tours for many of their properties to give potential buyers a better understanding of the layout, decor, and style of the homes. To schedule a viewing, buyers will need to confirm their current address and preferred time. The company may have a specialized viewing team in some locations who will conduct the viewings. After a viewing, Bayonne Estates encourages buyers to provide feedback so that they can communicate this to the property owner and tailor future viewings to the buyer's needs. The company will also follow up with buyers if they want to make an offer or update their records. Approximately three weeks after registering with Bayonne Estates, buyers will receive a short email survey to provide feedback on the company's service.

To submit an offer on a property, interested buyers should contact the office by email or phone. All offers received will be reported to the seller in writing. In cases where there are multiple interested parties, a best and final offer process may be put in place to ensure fairness. The seller will review all offers and make a final decision based on both the price and the buyer's position. Bayonne Estates supports both the seller and the buyer throughout this process to reach a mutually agreeable price. Once an offer is agreed upon, the company will request solicitor details from both parties and create a memorandum of sale document outlining key information for the purchase of the property. This document will be sent to all involved parties and is used to begin the conveyancing process.

Before they can advertise and market a property, Bayonne Estates is required to obtain identification documents such as a passport or driver's license, as well as proof of the seller's residential address. Acceptable forms of proof of address include a council tax bill for the current year, a bank statement, or a utility bill issued within the last three months. A driver's license cannot be used to satisfy both identification and proof of address requirements. In some cases, such as when the sale involves probate, trustees, power of attorney, or is a company sale, additional information may be required. Sellers should also refer to the marketing recommendation report for information about what is needed and how their data will be stored. To proceed with the marketing of their property, sellers will need to sign and return the terms of business and the completed property information form to Bayonne Estates.

The first step in the process is for us to get to know you and your property. We will ask for some initial details and schedule a time to visit your home. During the visit, we will walk around your property, including the garden and any additional buildings or land that may be included in the sale. This will give us a comprehensive understanding of your home. We will use this information to determine a market appraisal guide price for your property. In order to arrive at the recommended price, we consider a range of factors such as the property's condition, size, local amenities and transport links, and surrounding area values. We will also consider recent sales of similar properties in the area, as well as any additional features such as a swimming pool, annex, or tennis court. After the visit, we will follow up with a market recommendation report via email, including examples of comparable properties. We will also share our terms of business and any additional costs related to marketing your property if needed.

We will carefully register all interested parties who wish to view your property and gather information about their buying position. This may include details such as whether they are cash buyers or if their purchase is contingent on the sale of another property, and whether that property is currently under offer. We will contact you to confirm whether the suggested viewing time is convenient and follow up with a confirmation by text or email as needed. All viewings, unless otherwise agreed, will be accompanied by a member of our local team. We will provide feedback from each viewing and aim to get this to you within 24 hours. Our top tips for a successful viewing are to create a clear and fresh space, turn on all the lights, clear all surfaces, and consider adding fresh flowers to enhance the appeal of your home. We also recommend trusting in us and allowing us to show your property to potential buyers without you being present, as some buyers prefer to view the space without feeling like they are disturbing the seller.

After an offer has been accepted on your property, there are several tasks you need to take action on in order to initiate the conveyancing process. The first step is to instruct your solicitor as soon as possible by providing them with identification, proof of address, and any relevant documents and funds for the legal work. A draft contract will then be sent from the seller's solicitor to the buyer's solicitor, which includes the title deeds, lease (if applicable), draft contract, and all necessary paperwork for the sale. The buyer's solicitor will then apply for searches with the local authority to gather all relevant information about the property and its immediate surroundings. The solicitors will then raise inquiries and discuss the contracts before reaching an agreement. All parties will then confirm the contracts and the buyer will transfer a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) to the seller's solicitors. This is in preparation for the exchange of contracts, which is when the purchase of the property becomes legally binding. After the exchange of contracts, the final stage is completion, during which the remaining funds are sent to the seller's solicitors. Once the seller's solicitors confirm that the purchase has been completed, the keys can be released to the buyers for move-in.

After you have hired Bayonne Estates to sell your property, we will send you a confirmation of instruction letter or email outlining the next steps in the process, including details on fees, marketing expenses, timing and pricing, and any client due diligence documents we require. We will also arrange for professional photography, floor plans, and an energy performance certificate if necessary. If you are selling a property in Scotland, you will also need a home report. In preparation for the marketing of your home, we recommend de-personalizing and decluttering your space, letting in as much natural light as possible, and adding fresh flowers or a colorful fruit bowl to enhance the photography. We will produce marketing materials for your review and approval once we have received the photographs, and then launch your property on our five portals (Bayonne Estates website, Rightmove, Zoopla, Prime Location, and OntheMarket.com) to generate as much interest as possible. Our team will also contact potential buyers on our database and, with your permission, may advertise your property in the window of our office, on our social media accounts, and through PR opportunities. We may also recommend installing a sale board for your property. To make the process as seamless as possible, we may borrow a set of keys to allow access for viewings and will work with you to schedule suitable viewing hours. Our local team will visit your property to become familiar with it and will advise you on the best launch date. We will keep you updated on the progress of the sale and, if needed, our finance team at Bayonne Estates can assist with mortgage deals and advice for any onward investments. Approximately three weeks after you have instructed us to sell your property, you will receive a short email survey. We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey so that we can assess our service and make any necessary improvements.

Exchange is the process of transferring a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) from the buyer's solicitor to the seller's solicitor. During the agreement process, we will discuss an anticipated exchange date with you. Buyers should plan to ensure that the property is ready for exchange. We can help you arrange any necessary insurance for your onward purchase. At exchange, the agreement to buy or sell a property becomes legally binding and a completion date is set and communicated to all parties. Between exchange and completion, there are several tasks that need to be arranged and finalized, including removals, meter readings, keys, internet, and utility companies. Bayonne Estates can assist with all of these tasks, and in most cases, there is no additional cost.

We will promptly report every offer we receive for your property to you in writing within 24 hours. If an offer is accepted, we will confirm the details of both your and the buyer's solicitors and outline any special sale conditions. A memorandum of sale will be issued to all parties and used to initiate the conveyancing process. We will also conduct counterparty client due diligence for your buyer.

On completion, our team will contact you to arrange the handover of keys and any other necessary information to be passed to the buyer. The solicitors will finalize the legal aspects of the completion and confirm that all funds have been received before we can release the keys to the new owners. In most cases, the buyers will come to our office to collect the keys, but alternative arrangements can be discussed. We value your feedback and would welcome your thoughts through Google or Trustpilot reviews. You will also receive a telephone survey after completion asking for your feedback, and we encourage you to complete it so that we can continue to improve our service.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that the property you are renting out complies with all relevant regulations, including those related to gas and electrical safety, fire and furnishing, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, curtains and blinds, licensing, and tax.

Before marketing a property, Bayonne Estates will arrange for a professional photographer to take photos and create floor plans. If an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is not already available, one will need to be obtained with a rating of E or above, or an exemption must be provided.

The process of marketing a property through Bayonne Estates begins with a market appraisal. During this appointment, Bayonne Estates will gather information about the property and the seller's motivation for wanting to sell. They will also advise on the best ways to maximize the value of the property.

If an offer is made on a property, Bayonne Estates will provide the seller with all the details of the offer and negotiate with the interested party on the seller's behalf. If the offer is accepted, Bayonne Estates will collect a reservation payment from the interested party.

Bayonne Estates will handle all viewings and accompany interested parties on each viewing. The company will keep the seller informed throughout the process, and offer suggestions for any changes or modifications that might improve the chances of a successful sale. Bayonne Estates will also provide regular feedback on the viewing process.

When you instruct Bayonne Estates, we agree on the rental price and the date that the property is available from, how and when you would like us to conduct viewings. We would also need a couple of documents to complete our 'know your client', our terms of business would need to be signed, and we would need an EPC or exemption.

After an offer on a property has been accepted, Bayonne Estates will prepare a draft tenancy agreement and send it to the seller and the interested party. The company will also begin the referencing process, and once the seller and the interested party have confirmed that they are satisfied with the contract, Bayonne Estates will send the final version to be signed. The company will also provide the seller with a reference report for approval, collect the initial payment, and verify the right to rent for the interested party.

Bayonne Estates will handle the move-in process on behalf of the landlord. This will include arranging an inventory and check-in on the first day of the tenancy, and transferring the keys to the tenant. If the property is being managed by Bayonne Estates, their property manager will take over at this point and assist with any maintenance or tenant inquiries. If the landlord is managing the property independently, Bayonne Estates will provide the tenant's contact information to the landlord.

A new tenancy agreement does not need to be signed, but an addendum must be signed. This is a 3-4 page document that serves as an extension of the existing tenancy agreement and includes updated terms such as any break clauses, rent increase, and length of the tenancy. We will not be able to finalize the addendum until we have obtained an updated right-to-rent check and a valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) for the property.

After an offer has been accepted, the next steps involve introducing you to Bayonne Estates' tenancy progression team, who will send you a copy of the tenancy agreement and a link for the referencing process. The referencing process includes verifying your income, obtaining a reference from a previous landlord, conducting a right to rent check, and any other necessary checks.

The process of making an offer on a rental property and moving in can be completed in as little as three working days if you are able to complete the necessary references and sign all tenancy documents promptly and the property is available on the desired start date. If the start date for the tenancy is more than three working days from the date the offer was accepted, Bayonne Estates will work to complete the paperwork as quickly as possible.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the property is clean and in good condition, allowing for normal wear and tear. You are also required to take care of tasks such as cleaning and informing utility companies of your move out.

The keys to the rental property will be released to you once Bayonne Estates has received the final move-in payment, a signed tenancy agreement and all other necessary tenancy documents have been completed, and the necessary compliance documents from the landlord, such as a valid gas safety certificate, have been received. An inventory will be conducted, and once it is completed, the document will be shared with you along with all other tenancy documents.

To make an offer on a rental property, you will need to complete a prospective tenancy form, which will ask for information about who will be living in the property, the offer amount, the desired start date and length of the tenancy, and any additional requests. Once an offer has been agreed upon, a holding fee will be collected, which will go towards the final move-in cost.

If you are concerned that your referencing process may not be successful, it is important to contact Bayonne Estates as soon as possible. There may be alternative options, such as adding a guarantor to your application or paying rent in advance, that can help your application move forward.

Once an agreement has been reached between you and the landlord, you will receive the money within 10 working days.

Once the tenant has notified Bayonne Estates that they would like to renew the tenancy, we will act on behalf of both landlord and tenant to facilitate the renewal process. Our renewals team will consult with the manager of our office to obtain an update on market conditions and then negotiate between the landlord and tenant until an agreement is reached. If there will be any changes to the occupants of the property, you will need to inform Bayonne Estates at this time.

To end your tenancy, reach out to your property manager who will guide you through the process outlined in your tenancy agreement. On the last day of your tenancy, we will arrange for an inventory clerk to conduct a check out and will contact you directly to schedule a convenient time.

If you and the landlord are unable to come to an agreement and you have an assured short-hold tenancy, either party may request that the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) become involved in the dispute. The TDS will ask us to send them the disputed funds and will hold onto them until their investigation is completed. The TDS will then create a report which is binding and release the funds accordingly. If your tenancy is not an assured short-hold tenancy, your property manager can explain the resolution process to you.

We will send you and the landlord an email with the checkout report after the checkout process is completed. In addition, we will provide the final meter readings to the utility providers, who will then send you a final bill.

If the tenant's time-limited visa has expired before the start of the renewal period, they will need to visit a Bayonne Estates office in person with their visa and passport so that we can conduct the necessary checks.

Bayonne Estates will reach out to the tenant three months before the end of the tenancy to see if they would like to renew. If the tenancy is an assured short-hold tenancy, we will also issue a section 21 notice at this time. This is done in case the tenancy is not renewed two months before its end date. If either the tenant or landlord do not wish to renew the tenancy, we will inform the front office and an end tenancy coordinator will be in touch with further information.

To receive your deposit back, you and the landlord must come to an agreement. If the landlord has informed us that they do not intend to make any deductions, you will receive your full deposit back. However, if there are any issues such as cleaning or damages, we will provide the landlord with a list of these items and forward it to you for review and agreement.

If Bayonne Estates do not manage the property, the processes are slightly different but we will be happy to explain them to you.

After you move into the rental property, if it is being managed by Bayonne Estates, we will introduce you to our property manager, who will be available to assist with any issues that may arise during the tenancy. If the property is being managed by the landlord or a third-party property management company, we will provide you with their contact information.

A right to rent check requires you to visit one of Bayonne Estates' offices with the necessary documents to prove that you have the legal right to rent a property in England.

If the tenant wishes to renew their tenancy, Bayonne Estates will contact the landlord to ensure that they are also willing to renew. If the tenant has the option to renew, this will be specified in the tenancy agreement. The agreement may include a built-in rent increase and a deadline by which the tenant must inform Bayonne Estates of their decision to renew.

If a tenant needs to pay for a contractor's invoice, it may be because the problem was caused by the tenant's actions, such as putting food waste or fat down the drain and causing a blockage. In the event of an emergency outside of business hours, we have a dedicated contractor available to assist. The contact information for this contractor can be found in the welcome letter or on our answering machine. We also provide user manuals which may be able to help resolve minor maintenance issues without the need for a contractor to come out. If you do have any issues, you can call your property manager who will be happy to discuss them with you over the phone.

In cases of minor maintenance issues, we have the authority from the landlord to hire a contractor to fix the problem. The contractor will reach out to you to set up a time that works for you to access the property. You can also give them a key, which they can pick up from our office. Please be assured that the contractors we use are thoroughly vetted and have the required insurance and qualifications. For more costly repairs, we will need the approval of the landlord before moving forward. This may involve waiting for the landlord to respond or request additional quotes. Once we have approval, we will ask the landlord for the necessary funds and instruct the contractor to start the work. It's important to note that we do not own the properties and must always follow the instructions of the landlord.

If your boiler is not functioning properly, it may be possible to fix it with a quick fix such as increasing pressure. Your property manager can assist you with this over the phone. If the issue is more complex, you should contact your property manager to have a gas engineer come and assess the problem.

The most common emergencies that may occur in a rental property include fires, criminal matters, uncontrollable leaks, and gas leaks. If you experience a fire or a criminal matter, you should contact emergency services by dialing 999. If you smell gas, you should contact the National Grid, who will dispatch an emergency contractor to assess the situation and guide you through the next steps. If you have a leak in your apartment, you should contact your property manager as soon as possible. If the leak is coming from the apartment above you, you should knock on their door and ask them to stop using water-related equipment, and then notify your property manager.

If you need to clean the filters in your washing machine or dryer, check the user manual for instructions on how to do so. If you need additional assistance, you can contact your property manager who will be happy to provide guidance over the phone.