Guaranteed Rent | London & South East England | AO Home Lettings
Frequently Asked Questions · Free Estimates Available
Everything you need
to know
Answers to the most common questions from landlords across London
and South East England.
The Guaranteed Rent Model
How does the guaranteed rent model work?
AO Home Lettings leases your property directly, acting as the tenant. We manage the property and pay you a fixed monthly rent for the entire lease — whether it’s occupied or not. No deductions, no management fees, no involvement required from you.
How are you different from a letting agent?
A letting agent finds tenants on your behalf and charges a fee — but you remain exposed to voids, arrears, and maintenance costs. We are the tenant. We take on all those risks. You receive guaranteed income and we charge you nothing.
How long are your lease terms?
We offer flexible lease terms from 2 to 5 years. All leases include a 90-day mutual break clause.
Do you pay rent if the property is empty?
Yes. You receive your full agreed monthly rent for the entire lease — whether the property is occupied or not. No void periods, no stoppages.
How quickly can you get started?
The full process can be completed in as little as two weeks, subject to certifications being in place. We can also begin the process before the property becomes vacant, provided vacancy is expected within six months.
AST/APT, Tenancy Law & Legal Protection
Is your agreement with me an AST/APT (Assured Shorthold Tenancy)?
No. Our agreement with you is a commercial property lease, not an AST/APT or APT (AST/APT (Assured Shorthold or Assured Periodic Tenancy)). This is a fundamental distinction. Commercial leases fall outside the Housing Acts that govern residential tenancies, which means the regulatory framework that applies to traditional private renting does not apply to your arrangement with us. We are specialists in this structure and have extensive experience operating within it.
Do the new tenancy laws and eviction changes affect me?
No. Because our agreement with you is a commercial lease — not an AST/APT or APT — the Renters’ Rights Bill, the abolition of Section 21, and all related changes to residential eviction procedures simply do not apply to your arrangement with us. You are not our occupant’s landlord; AO Home Lettings is your tenant. The obligations and risks created by new residential tenancy legislation fall on us, not on you.
Are your agreements with tenants ASTs?
No. Our tenancy agreements with occupants are not standard Assured Shorthold Tenancies. We operate under a specialist framework that is appropriate for the social housing model we use, which involves housing providers and commercial sub-letting arrangements. This is a key reason why we can offer the guarantees we do — because our agreements at every level are structured differently from traditional residential letting.
I’m thinking of selling because of the new laws. Should I?
Before making that decision, consider the following: letting to AO Home Lettings gives you a commercial agreement, not a residential tenancy. There is no risk of being unable to recover possession under current or future tenancy law, because we are not your tenant in the residential sense — we are a commercial lessee. You retain your asset, you earn significantly more income than through traditional letting, and you operate entirely outside the framework of residential tenancy law. Many landlords who have considered selling have found our model resolves the concerns that were driving that decision.
How do you avoid the risks of traditional renting?
Our model removes the typical risks of private residential letting in several ways: there are no individual tenants on ASTs that you need to manage or evict; there is no exposure to rent arrears, since we guarantee your rent; there is no void risk; and there is no exposure to residential tenancy legislation, since your agreement with us is a commercial lease. We handle compliance, maintenance, and occupancy — leaving you with guaranteed income and none of the usual risks.
Fees, Rent & Payments
How much do you charge landlords?
Nothing. No management fees, no finder fees, no admin charges, no deductions of any kind. The monthly figure we agree is exactly what you receive. In the vast majority of cases, landlords earn at least 20% more annually than through a traditional letting arrangement.
How and when is rent paid?
Rent is paid automatically via our payment systems on a fixed date each month, directly to your bank account. No manual handling, no risk of delay. Same date, every month.
Who pays the utility bills?
For HMOs, we cover all utilities — council tax, gas, electricity, and water throughout the full lease. For single lets, utility bills are the responsibility of the occupants, as under a standard residential tenancy.
Is the estimate really free with no obligation?
Yes, completely. We can give you an initial figure over the phone within the hour — no paperwork, no visits. You are under no obligation at any stage unless you want to proceed.
Maintenance & Compliance
Who is responsible for repairs?
Us: All damage caused by our tenants and general wear and tear — handled by our tradesmen at no cost to you.
Landlord: Structural issues, plumbing, electrical systems, and heating defects not caused by tenant damage — as under any standard tenancy agreement.
Do you have a 24-hour maintenance team?
Yes. Available 24/7. We also carry out monthly condition and safety inspections across all managed properties.
What certifications are required?
Single Let Requirements
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — annual
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — every 5 years
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — minimum band E
- Smoke alarms on every floor
- Carbon monoxide detectors where required
- Legionella risk assessment
HMO Requirements (in addition to above)
- Mandatory HMO licence from the local authority
- Fire risk assessment
- Emergency lighting in communal areas
- Fire doors with self-closing mechanisms
- Appropriate fire detection and alarm system
- PAT testing for appliances
We can arrange all certifications and works on your behalf. Costs can be deducted from initial rent payments.
Property Requirements
Do I need to furnish the property?
No. We furnish properties ourselves including all white goods — cookers, fridges, washing machines. No cost or effort to the landlord. If your property is already furnished, we can discuss an arrangement.
Can you take on a tenanted property?
We require vacant possession at lease commencement. However, we can begin the process and agree terms in advance — provided vacancy is no more than six months away.
What areas do you cover?
London, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex, and East Sussex. We are actively expanding — if your property is outside these areas, please get in touch. We are actively expanding — if your property is outside these areas, please get in touch.
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