We are Birmingham-based and cover Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Over 95% of MAK Estates tenant enquiries come from our online marketing, meaning we can quickly and easily rent out properties across a very large geographic area. No property is ever too far for us to achieve you a result.

You can advertise and manage your property yourself, but it can be a lot of worry and hassle. Our extensive experience of the lettings market enables us to give you the very best advice, ensuring you achieve the maximum return from your investment while maintaining the condition of your property. We also keep on top of all new housing legislation so that our clients don’t have to.

ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents) Propertymark is the leading professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. It is dedicated to protecting consumers by improving standards and professionalism within the lettings industry. Note that letting agents are not regulated by law — MAK Estates chooses to be a member of this regulatory body.

To proceed quickly and efficiently we would require the following at the instruction stage:

• Proof of ownership
• Signed terms
• Bank details and personal contact details
• Keys, alarm codes, fobs etc. and car parking details where relevant
• Copies of current gas and electrical safety certificates (or permission for us to obtain these on your behalf)
• Details of current utility suppliers
• Details of the management company for the building where relevant

Once we have agreed a proposed rental with you, we will take internal and external photographs and prepare a detailed description for uploading to various portals. Our software allows us to match your property with hundreds of potentially interested applicants within our database at any given time.

Property details and photographs are uploaded within approximately 24 hours. Our systems automatically notify all matching applicants. Viewings are arranged, and if a tenant wishes to proceed they submit a completed application form. We provide you with feedback and you select who to proceed with. Our reference agency then performs comprehensive checks including credit history, previous landlord reference and employer/accountant reference. This normally takes 3–5 working days. If satisfactory, we arrange for signing of paperwork and payment of rent and deposit.

Yes. Your mortgage lender must give permission before you can let your property, and they may impose special conditions. Failing to notify your lender will put you in breach of your mortgage agreement. If you are buying a property with the intention of letting it out, you may be able to obtain a buy-to-let mortgage.

The rental price depends on the location, size, condition and demand for the property. We advise all landlords on the best achievable price using our extensive knowledge of the local lettings market. It is important to remember that if a property’s rental value is over-estimated, it may result in an extended void period.

This depends on how much support you need. We offer three main service levels: Let Only, Rent Collection and Full Management. Each involves a different degree of service from MAK Estates and the fees reflect this. Please download our Landlord Fees Schedule for full details.

Yes. We offer a wide range of services including EPCs, Gas Safety Certificates, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) and most types of maintenance work.

You will be liable to pay tax on any profit generated from letting your property — the amount will depend on your personal circumstances. If you are overseas for more than six months in any tax year, you will be regarded as a non-resident landlord, and current legislation requires us to deduct and pay tax at the basic rate to HMRC unless we hold an exemption letter. Please contact us to discuss these arrangements.

Landlords and letting agents are required to register tenants’ deposits with an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. At MAK Estates we register deposits with TDS. The scheme protects the tenant’s money and helps resolve any disputes at the end of the tenancy.

The Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme provides compensation for landlords, tenants and other clients if an agent misuses or misappropriates client funds. MAK Estates has CMP cover through ARLA Propertymark. You can view our CMP Certificate here.

An inventory is a detailed record of the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. As every deposit must be registered with an approved scheme, a thorough inventory protects both the landlord’s asset and the tenant’s right to dispute any deductions at the end of the tenancy.

If you choose our Fully Managed service, you will typically be paid the next working day — usually within 24 to 48 hours of us receiving the rent. You will receive a statement every month.

Yes. We will inform utility companies of the change and transfer all utilities into the tenant’s name, liaising with suppliers for any details and meter readings required.

Yes. We aim to inspect the property a minimum of four times a year and will report back to you if anything needs attention.

If your tenant damages your property, you can deduct an amount from the deposit or take legal action. If the tenant fails to report damage, this will be identified at inventory check-out. Either the tenant pays to fix the damage or the cost is deducted from their security deposit. Fair wear and tear must always be allowed for.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property’s energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. All landlords must obtain an EPC before marketing a property to let. Properties must currently have a minimum rating of E to be legally rented out.

Yes. An EICR must be carried out and a satisfactory certificate obtained before you can let your property, in compliance with current legislation.

Yes. The legislation requires a working smoke alarm to be installed on each floor of the property.

We are members of NAEA Propertymark (The National Association of Estate Agents) and The Property Ombudsman, so you have the peace of mind of dealing with a regulated estate agent.

If you need a mortgage, it makes sense to seek financial advice early. Most lenders will provide a Mortgage in Principle (MIP, DIP or AIP), which provisionally indicates how much you can borrow subject to finding a suitable property. Having this in place puts you at a significant advantage when making an offer, as it shows both the agent and the seller that you are a serious buyer.

Do bear in mind that an MIP gives no guarantees — it is subject to survey and your full mortgage application will still need to pass credit checks. You can seek advice directly from a lender or from an independent financial adviser. Our in-house mortgage brokers at MAK Estates have access to mortgages from the whole of the UK mortgage market and have saved our clients thousands of pounds over the years on their mortgage repayments.

This is one of the most common questions. If you find a property and fall in love with it, chances are others have too — and the party in the best position wins. Our advice is to get your own property on the market while you search. If you find a buyer before finding somewhere to move, your buyer will often wait if they like your property enough. Having a buyer in place puts you in the strongest possible position when you find your dream home.

A property goes to sealed bids when there is more than one interested buyer. A date and time is set by which all interested parties must submit their best offer in writing (usually by email). The seller then considers all offers, with the winning bid typically being the best combination of price and ability to proceed.

We will need your position to proceed (e.g. first-time buyer or if you are in a chain), the full details of your agent and any related sale if applicable, and proof of deposit. If you are obtaining a mortgage, we will ask for a copy of your Agreement in Principle. If you are a cash buyer, we will require proof of funds from your solicitor or bank.

No two transactions are the same. On average, exchange of contracts takes around 8 weeks, but this can vary depending on whether the property is involved in a chain.

Once we have received your offer, we will put it to the seller. If it is accepted, we will contact you to confirm and discuss dates for completion and the exchange of contracts.

You will need to provide your solicitor’s details as soon as an offer is accepted. If you already have a solicitor you trust to work quickly and efficiently, you can continue to use them. If not, we can recommend one of our trusted solicitors.

If you are arranging a mortgage, your lender will appoint a valuer to inspect the property. However, this valuation will not necessarily consider the condition of the property in detail, so you should not rely on it alone. Depending on the age and condition of the property, it may be wise to commission a Full Structural Survey. If problems are found after exchange of contracts, the seller is not liable and you will be responsible for any necessary repairs.

If a problem is found before exchange of contracts, you typically have three options:

1. Request that the seller corrects the problem at their expense
2. Seek a price reduction to cover the cost of resolving the problem
3. Withdraw from the purchase if the problem is substantial

Exchange of contracts is the point at which a house sale becomes legally binding. Solicitors acting for both parties hold signed contracts. If either party fails to honour their obligations after exchange, this constitutes a breach of contract.

The completion date — the day you move into your new property — will be agreed with the seller during the sales process and confirmed by the solicitors. We recommend allowing at least one week between exchange and completion to give all parties time to prepare.

No. This service is entirely free and carries no obligation.

The first step is arranging an accurate property valuation. MAK Estates can provide a free, no-obligation appraisal from our local, experienced valuers. Getting the price right from the outset is essential — interest is always highest when a property first comes to market. We advise completing any home improvement projects and presenting your home at its best before your valuation, though we always take ongoing projects into account.

Yes. This is a legal requirement. An EPC must be made available within 7 days of putting the property on the market.

Yes. MAK Estates is a proud member of NAEA Propertymark, giving you complete peace of mind that you are dealing with a professional, regulated estate agent committed to high standards of service.

With the majority of buyers starting their property search online, we focus on ensuring maximum online exposure for your home. We also have an extensive database of registered buyers, which is our biggest asset in achieving a fast sale at the best price.

We advise instructing a solicitor as soon as your property is on the market. This allows them time to prepare all legal documents before a buyer is found, shortening the period between agreeing a sale and completion.

We provide a high-quality For Sale sign, as it raises awareness and can generate additional buyer enquiries. However, if you would prefer not to display one, that is entirely your choice.

We liaise between you and the potential buyer to find a mutually convenient time. Wherever possible, one of our experienced sales agents will accompany viewings so you don’t need to worry about meeting prospective buyers yourself. You may find it helpful to take children or pets out of the property during viewings.

We will market your property until it is sold or until you ask us to take it off the market. MAK Estates’ standard contract is 16 weeks, which allows us sufficient time to explore every opportunity and achieve the best possible price. Your contract can be extended if more time is needed.

It is not mandatory for a buyer to have a survey, but it is common — particularly if they are purchasing with a mortgage, as the lender will require a valuation. A cash buyer may also choose to commission their own survey. You will have no influence over this process.

Every sale is different. If your home has been realistically valued, you should expect offers within the first four weeks. Assuming your buyer requires a mortgage, exchange of contracts normally takes 4–6 weeks, with completion a further 2–4 weeks after that — typically 12–14 weeks in total.

If you are selling your main home, you generally will not pay Capital Gains Tax, provided you meet certain conditions. If you are selling a property that is not your main home, it is likely that Capital Gains Tax will apply. We recommend seeking independent financial or tax advice for your specific situation.

No. Only buyers pay Stamp Duty. You will not need to pay it as part of the sale of your property.

Completion is moving day. All monies are transferred to your solicitor, who handles the deduction of fees, the redemption of any outstanding mortgage, and transfers the balance of the sale proceeds to your account. At this point, you will vacate the property and pass the keys to us to hand over to the buyer.