Guaranteed rent and company let questions

Guaranteed rent

What is guaranteed rent?

Guaranteed rent means a company rents your property for a fixed term and pays you an agreed rent every month, whether or not anyone is staying. With us, that company is Silver Lining Stays.

Do I still get paid if nobody is staying?

Yes. The agreed rent is paid monthly in advance throughout the term. It does not depend on whether a guest is staying in the property.

Can the rent ever stop?

In normal circumstances, no. The agreed rent is paid every month throughout the term. It would pause if serious damage covered by your buildings insurance, such as a fire or flood, made the home unusable, and would restart as soon as the home could be used again.

When is the rent paid?

The first month's rent is paid in advance as soon as the agreement is signed. After that, rent is paid in advance on the same date every month for the whole term.

How is the rent worked out?

After the visit, we work out the rent we can offer and send it to you in writing. Where the property suits us, we aim to match the rent you are already asking.

The arrangement

What is a company let?

A company let is a tenancy granted to a company rather than to a person. Silver Lining Stays rents the whole property from you and manages it as furnished accommodation for corporate and private guests.

Who stays in my property, and who decides?

Corporate and private guests who need furnished accommodation for weeks or months. We decide who stays and manage every booking, and Silver Lining Stays remains your tenant and your point of contact throughout.

Who pays council tax and the bills?

We do. Council tax, utilities and broadband are ours throughout the term.

Does the property need to be furnished?

No. We furnish and prepare the property where it is needed.

Repairs and responsibilities

Who repairs what?

We handle the day-to-day care of the property and routine maintenance. You remain responsible for structural repairs, major building systems and significant property issues. This includes the roof, external walls, boiler and central heating, as well as serious leaks, damp or mould caused by a building defect. The full responsibility split is set out clearly in the agreement.

What happens when something bigger needs fixing?

When something more significant comes up, we contact you first. We explain what we found, what we recommend and what it is likely to cost.

What am I still responsible for?

You remain responsible for the building, suitable buildings insurance and the safety certificates or licences required for letting. We explain the full split before anything is signed.

Which safety certificates and licences do I need?

The ones required for letting, such as a gas safety certificate, an electrical safety report and an Energy Performance Certificate, plus any licence your council requires. These stay with you as the owner.

Before you agree

Do I need my mortgage lender's permission?

If the property is mortgaged, the lender must allow this arrangement. If it is leasehold, the lease and any freeholder requirements must allow it too.

Which areas and properties do you consider?

We consider properties across London and do not currently restrict enquiries by area, size or property type.

How long am I committed for?

The term is agreed before anything is signed. Any notice periods and break options are set out clearly in the agreement, so both sides know where they stand.

What happens after I enquire?

Our owner reads every enquiry personally and replies within one working day. If the property could be a fit, we visit it. We always visit before making an offer. After the visit, we set out the rent, term and responsibilities we can offer in writing.

When am I committed?

Only when you sign the agreement. Enquiring, the visit and our written offer commit you to nothing.

Why not let the property in the usual way?

A traditional tenancy can work well. Our arrangement is for landlords who prefer one company tenant, an agreed monthly rent and no day-to-day guest management.

For letting agents

I am a letting agent. What are you, exactly?

Silver Lining Stays is a company tenant, not another agency. We rent the whole property on one agreement, pay the agreed rent monthly and manage the guest stays ourselves.

Still have a question?

Email info@silverliningstays.com, or tell us about your property and we will let you know what we can offer. There is no obligation to proceed.

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