I have a cottage and a farmhouse which are likely to become available to rent in the next twelve months. I hear an Act has just been passed restricting what landlords can charge. Is this the time to hand over to an agent?

You are correct; the Tenant Fees Act 2019 comes into force from the first of this month, June, 2019. The Act controls what payments a landlord or letting agent can demand of the tenant or third party guarantors “in connection with a tenancy of housing in England.”

The Act states that all payments are essentially prohibited unless the payment is expressly listed and “permitted” under the Act.  The following are listed as permitted: Rent, deposit, holding deposit, replacement key or alternative security device, payment in the event of a default, and changes to the tenancy which are requested by the tenant. Also payment in respect of council tax, utilities, TV licence, communication services. However each one listed has restrictions and limitations.

This means the landlord, or agent, can no longer charge to assemble references, or for general administration relating to the tenant, or the guarantor.

Bureaucracy has indeed reached something of fever pitch; I haven’t even mentioned the other regulations introduced this March, listing 29 hazards on a rating system to ensure a property is fit for human habitation.

I have a theory and that is that if my car needs servicing I take it to a garage. They are doing their dedicated job day in day out, not only are they more efficient than me, but I would expect them to get it right. That means long term less expense and greater peace of mind.

Getting it wrong when letting property can result in fines of up to £5,000 for the first landlord/agent breach and up to £30,000 for the second, plus resulting difficulties in serving a section 21 giving notice to the tenant to vacate. In this increasingly bureaucratic environment, it may be both prudent and cost effective to employ a reputable letting agent to let your property.

I am pleased to report a strong demand for let property in rural areas, particularly now summer is upon us. This must surely be due, in part to farmers and landowners who take a pride in the countryside and their rural rented accommodation.

Milford Hall, a generous five bedroom Georgian house, is on the market. The grade II listed Hall has been restored by the current owners, successfully enhancing fine character with 21^st century living.

It sits on the banks of the River Severn, situated in the hamlet of Milford, two miles from Newtown. The accommodation is encompassed by two acres of grounds and provides in excess of 570 square metres of living accommodation, comprising of the main Hall and an annexed one bedroom cottage, ideal for guests, a relative, or staff.

Entry is to the dining hall with bay and French doors to the front. A traditional stone fireplace is complimented by high ceilings with coving. Opposite is the sitting room of similar size. There are two more reception rooms found beyond the inner hall, namely the drawing room and the study, which incorporates a conservatory. There is glazing to two aspects and an abundance of French doors ensures these rooms are also filled with optimum natural light.

The kitchen breakfast room is well designed incorporating an island, an original fireplace, with ample room for a large table between the two. A rear porch, cloakroom and boot room complete the principal residence. There are three bedrooms on the first floor, including the master suite and two en-suite bedrooms on the second floor.  A wine room and cellar are to be found below stairs.

First Class Restoration

Balfours agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. comments: “The principal house has been restored to first class standard including underfloor heating in the kitchen, a central vacuuming system, full rewiring, wood burning stoves and a second floor laundry room.”

A separate entrance hall leads to the annex cottage, which will benefit from modernisation. It offers a good sized living room, a garden room style kitchen breakfast room, a cloakroom, bathroom and a first floor bedroom.

The approach is via formal gardens; within the two acres is a mix of mature and new design, with not only the outlooks to the Severn, but the fishing rights too. Milford Hall is marketed with a guide price of £925,000, call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

A grade II listed farmhouse, located in the pretty hamlet of Kinton, near Nesscliffe, is on the market.

Balfours Agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., explains: “Grove Farmhouse is situated ten miles north of Shrewsbury; the five bedroom property offers a wide selection of nearby schools. It also has a separate barn with planning for permission for further development.”

A Welcoming Space

From the entrance hall the kitchen/dining room provides a welcoming space, with kitchen island and chimney breast recess for cooking appliance. The living room is of generous and balanced proportions with feature inglenook fireplace, stunning oak floor and exposed timber frame wall. To the west side is a sun room benefitting from French doors to a charming and well stocked garden. The family room, with fireplace, completes the ground floor space.

Four bedrooms are found on the first floor, the large double aspect master room and two double rooms, a single and a large family bathroom. The second floor offers an additional generous double room. Attached to the house is also a useful store room.

The separate barn provides 49 square metres of floor space – and has planning consent for an upgrade, offering opportunity for the new incumbents to design the space to their requirements. Charlie adds: “This is a house full of character and in a great location to enjoy the countryside.” Grove Farmhouse is marketed with a guide price of £465,000, call Balfours Estate Agents in Shrewsbury on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

A stunning grade II listed, seven bedroom Georgian house within large mature landscaped gardens is available to let. Munslow House is situated in the stunning landscape of the Corvedale Valley, some five miles south of Church Stretton and 11 miles north of Ludlow.

Balfours' Head of lettings, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., says: “This is an exceptional property with large rooms and many unique features. On the ground floor there is an entrance hall, three reception rooms a breakfast kitchen, plus service rooms, namely pantry cloakroom, boot room and cellar.”

There are three bedrooms on the first floor including the master room and guest room, each with en-suite facilities and one with a pair of baths in a fully panelled room. There are four double bedrooms on the second floor, together with a bathroom and dressing room.

Perfect canvas for keen gardener

A separate home office, garage, stables and stone store room are set within the grounds. Charlotte adds: “The gardens and grounds of Munslow House are beautiful with the house overlooking a small lake – a perfect canvas for a keen gardener. There are a number of excellent state and private schools in the vicinity, and Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham are all within easy commute.

A long term let would be preferred; Munslow House is to let at £2,500 pcm.

For further details please visit our Property Lettings Page.

Found at the centre of Myddle, Brook House, benefits from the many advantages of village life, including primary school, gastro pub, shop and village hall.

This four bedroom, chain free house is located equidistance, some nine miles from Shrewsbury and Ellesmere, beyond the village is open countryside with opportunity for great walks. The entrance hall provides access to the living room with bay window, with open plan to the dining room and conservatory overlooking the rear garden.

The kitchen can be accessed from both the entrance hall and the dining room. It is equipped with fitted units, a pantry and links directly to the utility room. A rear entrance hall links between the utility room and shower room. There are four good sized double bedrooms on the first floor, three with extensive fitted wardrobes. The rooms are serviced by a family bathroom with shower and bath.

Sought After Location

Agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of Balfours comments: “This is a delightful property in a sought after village. There is a large integral garage, which with appropriate consents could become part of the living accommodation.” In addition there is a workshop and greenhouse, plus ample driveway space. To the rear of the house the terrace area links directly to the conservatory with the gardens beyond offering mature trees and a large lawn and, true to its name it is adjacent to the brook.

Balfours are marketing Brook House with a guide price of £385,000.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

An exciting first time buyer opportunity is to be found in Mill Cottage, on the market with a guide price of £200,000. This is a chain free, three bedroom home tucked away at the end of a private lane.

A truly charming double fronted property, the generous accommodation comprises of entrance hall, off which two reception rooms are found to either side, while the kitchen is to the end of the hallway and the stairs in the adjacent lobby. The living room opens to a dining area with direct access to the kitchen and also features French doors to the garden. Beyond the fitted kitchen is a conservatory with store room and cloakroom off.

Character Fireplaces

The first floor gives rise to three double bedrooms, two with character fireplaces in the footprint of the reception rooms below. There is a family bathroom with bath and shower. Head of sales at Balfours, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., says: “This is a truly charming property with huge potential to improve; it is located in the heart of Wellington. The property is set in its own garden plot, awaiting makeover and comes with garage and off street parking, plus store and garden store.”

For more information call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.