Before considering Sell and Rent Back from any company, see below for a list of questions we feel you SHOULD be asking before making any decisions:
WHO will be responsible for my property?
Chances are it will be some individual that is NOT part of the company you are calling, or is just a franchise member of the company (therefore will generally be a sole trader). At SARB Properties, all our properties are managed by our 24hrs a day UK National Management Company.
Are you a franchise company?
If they are not a franchise, chances are they will be an individual that does not have the strength of a national company behind them. If they are a franchise, it'll probably be the same result (as a franchisee tends to simply be an individual that your property has been passed on to as part of the franchise agreement). SARB is not a franchise business and has the strength of a national company behind them, and they are the ones that will be managing and be responsible for your property from start to end.
How long can I rent the property back for?
Be careful with this, most companies will be quick to tell you 'for as long as you want', but will then only offer you a six month tenancy. SARB Properties are committed to long term tenancies, and as a result can offer you a tenancy agreement for up to 7 years (this is the maximum time anyone can provide an assured shorthold tenancy agreement), however this agreement also rolls on forever!
Do you have a 24hrs emergency line?
SARB do. For any gas and plumbing emergencies we operate a 24hr telephone line that always has someone on the end of it. You can also get us personally in the office 9-5 Monday to Friday.
Do you have dedicated maintenance teams?
Again, SARB do. They deal with all emergency call outs (including our CORGI gas plumber, and qualified electricians) to fitting kitchens and hanging shelves.
How long do you plan to own my property?
Again be careful with this, other companies will probably say for a very long time or 'forever', when in actual fact they are a property trader and not a property investor; the end result being they will need to sell your property down the line somewhere in order to release cash to purchase another. SARB Properties are investors; we have the backing to be able to purchase high volumes of properties without the need to sell. Our commitment is to keep properties for AT LEAST 10 years, ideally longer. We've only ever sold properties where the tenant has wanted to move on.
Can I visit your offices?
Selling your house is a serious business, and you want to know that the people you are selling to are a serious company. Many of our 'competitors' out there are simply not serious about what they do; they may not even have an office or will simply be 'working from home'. As a client of SARB Properties you are welcome to visit our offices at any time, meet the people you talk to at the end of the phone! We're right in the middle of the country in Leicester. If you are talking to someone else, ask them if you can visit their offices...!
