Murray is a family firm of Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents which has been in business for over two hundred years and is one of the oldest and most established businesses in Rutland. During this time, we have become the leading firm of independent Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents in the area.
The partners and staff have an unrivalled local knowledge of properties and their values, all of which is backed up by the latest marketing technology to ensure that the very best estate agency methods are utilised in the sale and letting of properties.
Over the years, Murray has dealt with most areas of land and property including running cattle markets, land agency, auctioneering and property consultancy. Nowadays, Murray is best known for its Estate and Lettings Agency side of the business however the broad professional work still forms a large part of the business.
The partners are Chartered Surveyors offering a wealth of experience in property related matters having been practising in the Rutland and Stamford area for many years, together with an experienced team of staff dealing with all aspects of the business – please click on the links below to find out more
Residential Sales
Residential Lettings & Property Management
New Homes Services
Country Homes Services
Commercial Property Consultancy
Land Agency / Agricultural Consultancy
RESIDENTIAL SALES
Murray Residential Sales is highly respected by both individual sellers and house builders alike.
We successfully handle the sale of all types of properties, ranging from new homes to the sale of more individual period properties in all price ranges.
Our personal marketing service will keep you fully informed throughout the selling process from the commencement of marketing through to the successful sale of your property.
Our commitment to selling property and customer service spans over two centuries in the Rutland and Stamford area.
- Full marketing from our High Street offices providing extensive coverage within the local area
- Production of high quality sales literature using the very latest digital technology including floor plans
- Extensive and prolonged advertising in several local and regional newspapers
- A constantly updated mailing list of well qualified buyers, both locally and nationally looking to purchase residential property in the area
- Full internet marketing on all the top national property websites: www.rightmove.co.uk www.primelocation.com www.zoopla.co.uk
- Established in the year 1812: offering over 200 years’ local experience in the sale of residential property
RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
At Murray we recognise the importance of letting quickly and effectively. This results in reduced void periods and the maximum rent being received for your property over the time it is available for letting. This is achieved by proactive marketing with maximum exposure to potential tenants.
We have consistently outperformed our competitors in the area, and all our offices are situated in prime Town Centre locations, enabling us to arrange viewings and market your property seven days a week.
The partners of Murray are Chartered Surveyors and members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) being the leading associations throughout the lettings industry. Our Residential Lettings Department is made up of fully trained professional staff, who solely deal with residential lettings. Our personal and professional service will keep you fully informed throughout the process of letting your property.
Each office provides full marketing of your property, enabling us to provide unrivalled coverage in the Rutland and Stamford area.
Our services include:
- Expert advice to landlords from Chartered Surveyors and members of ARLA, qualified to deal in property management
- A comprehensive and competitive management service, successfully managing in excess of 500 properties in the Rutland and Stamford area
- Unrivalled marketing from our Town Centre offices open 6 days a week
- Maximum internet exposure via: www.murray.co.uk, www.rightmove.co.uk, www.primelocation.com and www.zoopla.co.uk
- Thorough credit referencing and vetting of all tenants with deposits held in every case
- Regular internal inspections of the property during the Tenancy with written Inspection Reports
- “Fully Managed” or “Finder's Fee” Service at competitive rates
- Property maintenance and repairs at competitive rates, Gas and Electrical Certificates
- Landlord’s Legal and Rent Protection Cover available
- Tenancy deposit protection under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, providing security to both Tenants and Landlords
Landlord Information
Our Property Management service in brief
A comprehensive and competitive management service to include:
- Proactive and extensive marketing via our Town Centre offices
- Full referencing of all tenants and deposits held in all cases
- Preparation of Tenancy Agreements
- Rent collection and taxation advice
- Regular property inspections and inventories prepared
- Property maintenance and repair
- Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
- Legal and rent protection cover available
- As an alternative to full management, we also offer a ''Let only'' service where a one-off fee is charged for finding a tenant
- Eye-catching 'To Let' Boards
- Internet Marketing via www.murray.co.uk and also the UK's top property websites at www.rightmove.co.uk, www.zoopla.co.uk and www.primelocation.com
- ARLA and RICS Membership: this provides our clients with the confidence to know that their property is in safe hands, being managed by a professional team of property managers
- RICS Client Money Protection Scheme: please note that all clients' money held by Murray is held under this scheme (please click here for the Certificate). Further information is available at www.rics.org
Remember: at Murray we offer a personal and professional service by Chartered Surveyors and experienced staff at competitive commission rates.
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Tenant Information
Since opening our doors over 200 years ago, Murray has built a reputation as one of the leading property managers in the Rutland and Stamford area. Today, we manage in excess of 500 residential properties ranging from one bedroom apartments to substantial period properties, to suit all types of Tenant's requirements.
In dealing with Murray, you can have the knowledge and peace of mind to know you are dealing with a professional firm of Chartered Surveyors and members of The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). Both these associations take the lead in Residential Lettings and provide strict regulations and guidelines in business conduct. These include separate client accounts dealing with rents and deposits, professional indemnity insurance and client's money protection schemes.
Tenancy Agreements
Most residential lettings are Assured Shorthold Tenancies covered under the Housing Act 1988 as amended by The Housing Act 1996.
The initial period of the Tenancy is usually six or twelve months. At the end of this period the Tenancy may either continue on a periodic basis, or another fixed period may be entered into between the parties, depending on the requirements at that time.
The Tenancy continuing on a periodic basis enables the Tenant to vacate the property after providing the Landlord with a minimum one month's Notice to Quit or the Landlord to obtain vacant possession after serving a minimum two months' Notice to Quit on the Tenant. In each case the Notices must expire on the calendar date of the Tenancy.
The Tenancy Agreements are legally binding, and the obligations of a Tenant are clearly laid down in the Tenancy Agreement. It is important that these obligations are fully understood before signing the Tenancy Agreement. Our fully trained staff will be pleased to answer any queries you may have in this regard.
References
All applicants wishing to rent through Murray must be fully referenced and complete a Pre-Tenancy Application Form with brief details of their personal circumstances and at a later stage complete a detailed Application Form. These forms are then processed in association with HomeLet, one of the UK's leading providers of specialist insurances and referencing to the lettings sector. The reference checks include a credit search and an employer's reference.
To assist us in processing your Application, we will require the addresses of your referees, your Bank or Building Society details, employer's details and, where appropriate, previous landlord's details. The referencing process usually takes three working days.
A charge of £40.00 is made to process the Application Form. (see ‘Fees’ section below).
Rent
The rent is payable monthly in advance by Standing Order into Murray's bank account. It is important that the Standing Order Mandate is completed at the time of signing the Tenancy Agreement, and you instruct your bank to set up this payment facility. We are unable to accept any other form of rental payment, e.g. cash or personal cheque. On receipt of cleared funds the rent is paid directly into the landlord's chosen bank account, and a rent statement is sent as confirmation.
The rent is payable by the Tenant detailed on the Tenancy Agreement. We are unable to accept payment from a third party, unless it has been agreed that they are a Guarantor to the Tenant.
Deposit
A deposit is paid by the Tenant at the commencement of the Tenancy equating to five weeks' rent and is held by Murray as Agent on behalf of the Landlord. These monies are held in a separate client account and are returned to the Tenant at the end of the Tenancy, subject to the Tenant fulfilling their obligations as laid down in the Tenancy Agreement. Your deposit is held and protected under the Tenants Deposit Scheme; at the end of Tenancy an internal inspection of the property is undertaken with the agreed Inventory and, subject to a satisfactory inspection, the deposit will be returned in full.
The deposit will be held under the terms of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, which provides safeguards regarding the handling of Tenant's Deposits and ensures that these monies are dealt with professionally and correctly. Full details of this scheme are available through Murray or can be viewed online at www.tds.gb.com.
Service Charges
On taking possession of the property, the Tenant is responsible for the various service charges to include, where appropriate, gas, electricity, water charges, sewerage charges, telephone, T.V. license and council tax. A note of the meter readings and level of heating oil is recorded and agreed with the Tenant at the commencement of the Tenancy. The service providers are notified of any change of occupancy, and a new occupier account is set up.
Safety Regulations
Murray ensure that all the current legislation governing safety in the home and the safety of gas and electrical appliances and soft furnishings is complied with by the Landlord.
The Application Process
Application Form
Once you have found a suitable property, we will require a detailed Application Form to be completed and returned to us via post, fax or by hand. We then forward this information to a professional referencing company to process the Application. The referencing process usually takes two or three working days.
Commencement Date
On receipt of satisfactory references, you will be contacted by a member of our staff to agree a commencement date for the Tenancy. The Tenancy Agreement will then be prepared, together with an Inventory / Record of Condition of the property and we will agree a convenient time for you to visit our office to sign the Tenancy Agreement and associated paperwork. We will also advice you of the cleared funds that will be required in advance of your Tenancy commencement.
At the time of signing the Tenancy Agreement and before the keys to the property are released to you, we will require a Bankers Draft or cash for the monies due at the commencement of the Agreement (unless we are already in receipt of cleared funds).
This being broken down as follows:
- Rent: the first month’s rental
- Deposit: equating to five week's rent
Property Management & Maintenance
Throughout the Tenancy, we aim to provide an efficient management service and aim to ensure a problem free period of letting.
All maintenance items reported to us are detailed and contractors are instructed to carry out any necessary maintenance items. The work is overseen through to satisfactory completion. All maintenance contractors used by Murray are trustworthy and professional.
During the Tenancy, we also carry out an initial internal inspection after the first three months and six monthly thereafter. This enables us to advise the Landlord of any potential maintenance issues and also inform the Landlord of your future intentions relating to the Tenancy of this property.
Relevant letting fees and tenant protection information:
As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following PERMITTED PAYMENTS:
Before the tenancy starts (payable to Murray, the Agent):
- Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent
- Deposit: 5 weeks’ rent
During the tenancy (payable to Murray, the Agent):
- An Administration Payment of £60.00 including VAT would be payable in advance if you would like changes made to the Tenancy Agreement. Please note: the Landlord’s consent must be obtained before any changes can be implemented.
- Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a daily interest on the unpaid rent at an annual rate of 3% above base rate.
- Payment of the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s)/security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual cost of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord and any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred, there will be a charge of £15.00 per hour for the time taken replacing the lost key(s) or any other security device(s).
- Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy.
During the tenancy (payable to the provider), if permitted and applicable:
- Utilities – gas, electricity, water
- Communications – telephone and broadband
- Installation of cable/satellite
- Subscription to cable/satellite supplier
- Television licence
- Council Tax
Other permitted payments:
Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation, including contractual damages.
Tenant protection:
Murray is a member of the RICS Money Protection Scheme, which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO), which is a redress scheme. You can find out more details on Murray’s website www.murray.co.uk or by contacting Murray directly.
If a cheque payment or Standing Order is not honoured by your bank: £25.00
The above fees are inclusive of VAT
NEW HOMES
At Murray, we are very active in the sale of New Homes in the Rutland and Stamford area for both national House Builders and also smaller local building firms. We provide specific advice to House builders in the form of feasibility studies and marketing reports, all designed to maximise the sale potential of the properties in the quickest possible timescales.
We pride ourselves on our professional approach to meeting our client’s needs and work very closely with all manner of professional advisors to provide the necessary expertise to deal with this area of property sales.
Our Partners are all professionally qualified Chartered Surveyors bringing a wealth of experience to the New Homes Department. Over the last 200 years, we have built up an extensive database of farming clients in the area enabling the firm to be at the centre of most of the residential land sales in the locality. This work deals with the sale of single building plots to the sale of sites with planning consent for over 250 New Homes.
Planning & Development and New Homes
Our Planning and Development Department and New Homes Section enable Murray to be one of the leaders in this field within the Rutland and Stamford area. This knowledge of the local market and being able to advise clients across the whole spectrum from the planning stage to subsequent disposal, benefits both Landowners and property developers alike.
Unrivalled local marketing
Our local strength enables developers to benefit from linked marketing via our local offices and also national marketing via our own comprehensive website and also the UK’s leading property websites www.rightmove.co.uk, www.primelocation.com, and www.zoopla.co.uk.
With our local office network, we are able to offer national developers a High Street presence with window displays via our offices providing unrivalled coverage in the local area.
We are able to assist in the preparation of marketing brochures and also provide artists impressions of any development prior to the building works being completed. This enables developers to market their properties available for sale at an early stage.
Staffing of Show Homes
We can provide sales staff for the day to day running of Show Homes on site, either in the week or at weekends. This enables properties to be sold quickly and effectively and keeps our offices regularly updated with all sales activity on the New Homes sites.
Corporate Relocation
We are in regular contact with the major employers in Peterborough, Corby, Leicester and Nottingham looking to relocate staff into the Rutland and Stamford area from across the country. This contact provides an invaluable source of purchasers looking to relocate to the area.
Past and Present Clients
Our valued clients range from small local builders to national house builders. Our valued clients include Bellway Homes, Persimmon Homes, Charles Church, Taylor Wimpey Homes, Barratt Homes (East Midlands) Ltd., Stamford Homes, Larkfleet Homes, Honwood Homes.
Contact one of our partners who deal in the sale of New Homes, to discuss values and how we can assist you in the marketing and sale of these properties.
COUNTRY HOMES SERVICES
The Country House market remains in strong health in Rutland and the surrounding area, with buyers looking to relocate either from the capital or from further afield. There is also a good pool of buyers living locally waiting patiently for the right property to come to the market. The local schooling is a good draw, alongside the enviable location and beautiful countryside resulting in many families looking to relocate to the area.
We pride ourselves on our quality of service to both buyers and sellers alike and also the core selling and negotiating skills we have honed over many years. We have been involved in some of the most prestigious house sales in the area and continue to be very actively involved in this sector of the market.
We continue to improve our marketing platform, with an increasing internet presence via the leading property portals and also the main social media platforms. Such websites include www.rightmove.co.uk, www.zoopla.co.uk, www.primelocation.com, www.murray.co.uk and social media via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Our Country Homes Department provides access to the London market. Our Country Homes are displayed at periodic property exhibitions within the capital. We are in regular contact with our contacts in London which provide a steady stream of purchasers looking to relocate from London to this area.
Our aim is provide our clients with an unrivalled level of service delivered by an experienced sales team and principal Chartered Surveyors. We are in an enviable position to be able to offer our clients expert advice in the sale of their property which has been gained over many years of being the leading estate agency practise in the county.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANCY
Our Commercial Department offers qualified advice on all commercial property matters to include:
- Sales, lettings and acquisition of Shops, Offices, Business and Warehousing space
- Valuations for all purposes
- Rent reviews and lease renewals
- Investment Advice
- Commercial Property Management
- Rating
LAND AGENCY / AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANCY
Our business was founded on Agricultural Consultancy and Rural Estate Management and we have built up an extensive knowledge of rural agency over this time. The partners are both Rural practise Chartered Surveyors and are able to bring a high level of expertise to this area.
- Sales and letting of Country Property, Farms and Agricultural Land
- Tenancy Negotiation & Rent Review
- RICS Red Book Valuations
- Compulsory Purchase Compensation
- Auctioneers and qualified Agricultural Valuers
- Farm Machinery Sales
