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What do you charge? Like buying a new kitchen or carpets, we can't give you an accurate quote until we have seen the property and assessed your individual marketing needs. However, rest assured, we charge a very competitive rate and our contract is written in Plain English

Where do you advertise? Like most agents, we advertise in the local press, Rightmove and other National property websites. Unlike many agents, we also have our own, independent website which is integrated with our page and ; bringing more buyers to your door

How long is your contract? At PDQ, according to the independent website home.co.uk we have one of the quickest times for selling and, at a higher than average price in the area. We firmly believe that you should want to stay with us because of our service, not slavishly tied in to a contract that lasts months. Consequently, we only ask for a initial six week period (compare that to over twenty six weeks, with some of our competitors)

How many offices do you have? Our principal office is located in Helston with a further administration, consultancy and IT base in Penzance. However, we also have excellent contacts with hundreds of professional agents across the UK and Internationally, built up after years of successful trading....size really doesn't matter! If, over 97% of our customers recommend us and Tesco, RBS and a number of other major high street names have chosen PDQ to provide estate agency advice and insight we believe that's a pretty good recommendation

Do you have a mortgage advisor? Yes! We are able to offer free, independent, whole of market advice, which is the best financial advice you can get! For a free, no obligation quote call or fill in our quote form using the link above. You will also see regular rate updates and deals on our News pages. We would also strongly advise that you do a search on consumer websites for more information on the different types of mortgage and financial advisers available to you; you may be shocked at what you find.

What is Mundic Block? In short, it is a type of concrete block that was made from sub-standard aggregate (gravel and sand), predominantly in houses built of block or concrete before 1950, and can affect the structural strength of a property. Please see our downloads page for more information.

Freehold and Leasehold; what's the difference? In simple terms, freehold usually applies to property whose lowest floor sits on, or in, the ground and, owns the ground it sits on with no one else living above or below you. Leasehold, however, usually means you have people living above and, or, below you and the lease is a legal solution to the problem of 'is it my ceiling or your floor'. You still own the property but it is for a set period (often 999 years - so much longer than any of us will live and nothing to worry about - shorter leases are also quite common and we, or your solicitor, will be happy to advise you.

RENTAL FAQ's

What rules are there about what comes with a property if it is fully, part, or unfurnished?
There are no strict rules. However, in different parts of the UK and niche parts of the market even; expectations and reality can vary substantially. As a rough rule of thumb, a ‘fully furnished’ property usually comes with all the main fixtures, furnishings and fittings, white goods etc., plus general crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots and pans etc., that an ‘average’ tenant would normally be expected to use on a day to day basis. An ‘unfurnished’ property, however, would normally only provide the basics of carpets, curtains and light fittings. To ensure that neither the landlord nor the tenant feels disadvantaged, it is very important that exactly what is and isn’t included in the agreement is clearly understood by both sides before finalising the tenancy contract.

What safety regulations are there for rented property?
There are a number of legal obligations and responsibilities for a landlord which apply to fire safety, furniture & furnishings; gas supply and appliances plus electrical wiring and appliances etc. More information can be found here

The Governments Health and Safety Executive has an excellent website for landlords and tenants which offers the most up to date information on Gas regulations.

What should I do about insurance?
Whilst it is the landlords’ responsibility to insure the building and any contents, fixtures and fittings; both landlords and tenants should ensure they check any existing policies when renting or letting a property. Some ‘normal’ household insurance products will either provide limited or no cover, for rented property and/or its contents. If you fail to inform your insurer that you are renting/letting a property, this could invalidate any claim you subsequently make. Tenants are responsible for insuring their own possessions.

What about an inventory/schedule of condition?
This is an absolutely essential document which we provide for all of our managed properties at PDQ. A well produced inventory/schedule of condition details the fixtures and fittings and describes their condition and that of the property generally. It protects the interests of both landlord and tenant.

What is a tenancy agreement?
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between the landlord and tenant that sets out the legal and contractual responsibilities and obligations between the two parties.

What kind of tenancy agreement will be used?

The most common form of tenancy agreement is an ‘Assured Shorthold’ (often referred to as an AST) under the 1988 Housing Act (amended 1996). This offers a good balance of good flexibility and protection to both the landlord and tenant.

There are other forms of tenancy agreement but these are rarely used. If the Landlord or the tenant requires a different form of tenancy agreement, we will be happy to arrange this.

What does ‘jointly and severally’ mean?
Usually, where there is more than one adult living in the property, the tenancy will refer to them as being “jointly and severally” liable/ responsible. This means that the tenants are, as the phrase implies, jointly liable for the payment of all rents and all liabilities falling upon the tenants during the tenancy, as well as any breaches of the Agreement. Each tenant is individually responsible for payment of all rent and all liabilities falling upon the tenant, as well as any breach of the Agreement until all payments have been made in full.

What about the deposit?
It is usual practice for a deposit of an amount equivalent to between 4 to 6 weeks rent to be required to be held during the tenancy to ensure that the tenant’s comply with the contract, during the period of the tenancy, particularly those in relation to the cleanliness and condition of the property.  Since the 6^th of April 2007, any landlord or agent who takes a deposit from a tenant(s) for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy must safeguard it in an approved tenancy deposit scheme.

PDQ Believes that the best solution for our landlords and tenants deposit monies is provided by The Deposit Protection Scheme. https://www.depositprotection.com

What is a ‘break-clause’?
Occasionally, a fixed term tenancy agreement will have a break clause included if the initial fixed-term is for a year or more. These clauses are usually worded to allow either landlord, or tenant to give two months written notice at any stage after a particular date or period of the tenancy, enabling the terminating of the tenancy earlier than the end of the original fixed term.

What happens if the landlord or tenant unexpectedly wants to end an existing tenancy early?
This can be arranged but only in certain circumstances and both landlords and tenants rights are protected. The landlord cannot make the tenants move out, nor can the tenants simply walk away from their obligations. Either the landlord or the tenant can request that a formal surrender of the tenancy is agreed. It is then up to both sides (parties) to agree the terms and conditions of such a surrender. This often includes financial compensation for inconvenience and, or, costs.

What about access to the property?
A landlord, his agent, or someone authorised to act on his behalf (such as a builder etc) has a right to view the property to assess its condition and to carry out necessary repairs, or maintenance at reasonable times of the day. The law says that a tenant must be given at least 24 hours prior notice in writing (except in an emergency) of such a visit by the landlord or agent. However, as long as the tenant agrees, earlier access can be given without 24 hours notice. Any clause in a tenancy agreement which tries to erode or override a tenant’s rights in this respect may well be void and unenforceable. The tenant may also be able to take a landlord to court if the landlord harasses the tenant i.e coming to the property unannounced and doing it often. It is a criminal offence!  

Repairs & maintenance
In very general terms, a landlord has a legal responsibility to repair the safety, structure and exterior of the property, including its services (gas, water, drains, electricity, heating etc).

A tenant has an implied duty to act in a ‘tenant-like manner’. In simple terms, this means to look after it as if it were their own.

In more general terms, this means promptly report problems with the property, not to damage the property or allow damage to be caused by guests of the tenant etc; to personally maintain and replace such items as light bulbs, smoke or CO2 detector batteries, tighten the odd screw which has come loose on a door handle etc; Ensuring that the property is kept reasonably warm and aired to help prevent condensation, or freezing of pipes; ensuring the property is secure when it is unoccupied (when out shopping or on holiday for example) and keeping the garden and other areas reasonably clean, tidy and free from rubbish.

Are tenants entitled to know the name and address of the landlord?
Yes. This information must be provided by the landlord or his agent within 21 days of receipt of a formal written request by the tenants.

What about renewals (re-let) and extensions of a tenancy?
This is very common and PDQ Estates Ltd will negotiate between the parties and prepare the necessary paperwork/ contracts

How is a tenancy terminated?
Ending a tenancy is usually straightforward as long as the correct timescales, paperwork and procedures are followed. The timescales, procedures and format vary depending upon which type and status of the tenancy at the time you wish to end the tenancy. Please ask us if you have any specific questions. We are always happy to help.

What happens if the tenant doesn’t move out after the end of a tenancy?
If we are managing the property we will try to find out why as soon as we are able to establish contact. There may be a valid reason and a solution can often be found without recourse to the courts. However, if a tenant refuses to move after a tenancy has been lawfully terminated then the landlord can apply to the Courts for a possession order. Under the Accelerated Possession Procedure (which can be used where the tenancy was an Assured Shorthold), the process is usually fairly quick and inexpensive.

If there is a question you have that isn't listed above; feel free to drop us an or call us we're always happy to help even if you aren't buying or selling through us or, you could get in touch with the latest News property and views via our Facebook page, '. 

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