New utility and survey products aim to woo lettings professionals

Specialist student utilities and service provider Glide has launched a product it claims removes the admin and hassle traditionally associated with tenancy changeovers.

It says its Switch product takes charge of utility contracts ahead of tenancies starting, meaning letting agents avoid having to deal with multiple energy suppliers across their property portfolio while tenants avoid disputes over out-of-term billing responsibilities and receive fair equal billing for the duration of their tenancy.

Glide cites Niall McTurk of Sinclair Properties in York saying: “Using Glide makes life easier for our tenants and prevents them from arguing over bills, which is hugely beneficial and takes away the stress. It also allows us to keep all bills in one place, giving us more time to focus on running the business.”

Glide Group is the largest provider of broadband and utilities to student households in the UK and boasts some 300,000 student customers.

Meanwhile the Residential Property Surveyors Association, which represents independent surveyors in England and Wales, has launched a new service for existing and prospective landlords.

Called the Mi Buy-To-Let Survey, it includes a detailed survey of property condition and a review of 29 hazards listed by the Housing Health & Safety Rating System, the standards used by local authorities to assess property in the private rental sector.

RPSA chairman Alan Milstein says: “The new Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill becomes law in March 2019 and puts a heavy legal responsibility on landlords to provide decent and safe homes for tenants, not only at the start, but throughout the tenancy. It became apparent to us, some time ago, that there was a real gap in the market for a survey product that helped landlords protect their investment and reduce the risk of prosecution.

The Mi Buy-To-Let Survey is the only survey that brings together the assessments of condition and safety and is the most reliable way for landlords to deliver safe and comfortable homes for their tenants.”