Diplomatic Service Guide

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With over 38 years of diplomatic services experience, we will guide you through the process of renting out your home.

Diplomatic Services

Hartswood & The Foreign Office

It was late March in 1986 and Michael Thomas had just returned home from Hartswood Tennis Club https://www.hartswoodtennis.co.uk. Looking out of his window at his neighbour’s rather sad and neglected garden he pondered on what to do with his life following his redundancy from a senior management role at the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk. His friend and neighbour worked for the Foreign Office https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign commonwealth-office, and he had been posted overseas on Diplomatic duties some four months earlier. His house had remained empty ever since and a local Estate Agent had been unsuccessful in trying to find tenants for the property. Later that day Michael called his friend for a catch up. He offered to give the garden a tidy up and his friend joked about how he wished his Estate Agent was as conscientious as his neighbour. Two months later and Hartswood Property Management was born, a rental specialist taking pride in looking after property like a caring neighbour and who’s Landlord’s often became their friends.

“ Guiding you through the process ”

Are you a UK Diplomat being posted overseas ?

Renting out your family home can be daunting at the best of times but when you are in the throes of trying to organise a move to another country along with all the complications this brings it can sometimes become overwhelming.

This is where Hartswood comes in.

With over 37 years of diplomatic services experience, we will guide you through the process of renting out your home.

The common questions answered.

I have been given a relocation allowance should I ship my furniture ?

This will depend greatly on your property and its location. Most apartments and houses in central London can be rented furnished or unfurnished but move out to Greater London and you will find it harder to rent out a furnished property, particularly family homes.

What if I have to return to the UK at short notice ?

We will ensure a diplomatic break clause is inserted into the Tenancy Agreement meaning you are able to serve notice on your tenants in the event of having to return to the UK.

I’m not sure my property is tenant ready.

We will fully prepare your property so that you can concentrate on your relocation.

These services include, but are not limited to:

Decorative touch ups & minor maintenance Garden tidy Full professional cleaning Window cleaning International Removal Services Gas safety certificate Electrical safety certificate Energy performance certificate Smoke alarms CO alarms Intruder alarm servicing Administering the transfer of utilities & related services Mail forwarding Key cutting Service charge payments Boiler & appliance servicing Inventory of condition Obtain an overseas tax exemption certificate (NRL)

“We will fully prepare your property ”

I have a mortgage. What happens if the tenants stop paying the rent ?

With Hartswood your rent is protected up to £2,500pcm. You will also benefit from our legal & mediation cover up to £100,000 giving you added financial security.

Who will be looking after my home ?

At Hartswood we know how important it is to have continuity with property management and how an in depth knowledge of both you and your property is essential. Your property would be managed by Andrew Hodgson & Stella Agricole two highly experienced and dedicated property managers. Andrew is the sole owner of the business and along with Stella they have a combined property management experience of over 40 years. Your home will be inspected every 5 months and a report will be produced highlighting any required maintenance, commenting on the overall condition of the property and including full colour photos giving you complete peace of mind that your property is being looked after.