Corporate Client Services
The County Homesearch Company is a highly experienced destination services provider. We look after many corporate clients each year providing them with a variety of relocation services (details of which are set out below). We are able to ensure your employees’ move to Jersey or Guernsey is as stress free as possible by providing them with a dedicated consultant who will look after their relocation from start to finish and will be able to offer support and advice throughout the process. Our services include:
Orientation:
Jersey or Guernsey are both comparatively small islands and although similar to the mainland in many respects, each island is different. The narrow roads and lack of road signs can sometimes cause difficulties for new arrivals and the complexities of the local Housing laws means that sourcing a suitable property to rent is not always straightforward, so the advice of an expert usually proves to be invaluable! Our orientation service provides the following:
- Initial assessment of clients’ accommodation needs, lifestyle, budget etc. followed by explanations regarding the types of property which would be suitable within the guidelines set by the local Housing authorities and the allocated budget.
- Clients will be taken on a tour of the islands to get a feel for different locations and advice will be given in respect of the size and quality of accommodation likely to be achieved.
- Information will be provided so that clients understand social demographics, facilities, environment and schools if necessary.
Rental Searches
We will provide a fully co-ordinated property search as follows:
- Based on clients’ criteria we will search the market for suitable properties, dealing with all the relevant agents as well as any private landlords known to us.
- Arrange and accompany client on block viewing sessions of suitable properties.
- Give honest assessments of available properties, highlighting advantages and disadvantages to help clients in their decision making.
- Ensure all relevant information is acquired at the viewing i.e. when the property is available, whether furnishings may be changed, whether the landlord will undertake necessary improvement or repair works, how long the property has been on the market etc.
Lease Negotiation
This stage of any rental is extremely important to ensure, not only, that the client is paying the right rental, but also to ensure the lease terms reflect their needs and protect both during and at the end of the tenancy. Important negotiating terms are as follows:
- Rental
- Lease start date
- Lease term
- Break clauses
- Landlord maintenance commitments
- Deposit protection
- Special conditions – i.e. works required
Settling-in Services
Once a tenancy begins we can assist clients to settle by providing assistance with the many seemingly small issues which can be very time consuming and frustrating without the right guidance:
- Guidance setting up utility accounts.
- Guidance on options for additional utilities such as telephone, satellite TV and internet connections.
- Advice with the administration involved in obtaining local driving licences and exchanging registration numbers when importing a car to Jersey or Guernsey.
- A familiarisation tour of the island, specifically designed according to the requirement of each individual client, showing the location of schools, medical services, supermarkets, leisure facilities and other services which they are likely to need to know about as quickly as possible after arrival.
- Suggestions and recommendations for medical and dental practitioners.
- Introductions to sports clubs and other social clubs and organisations.
- Introduction to financial service providers, bankers and other professionals.
- Provision of a detailed and comprehensive information pack about living on either Jersey or Guernsey.
- Contact details for the landlord or managing agents in case of any problems with the property.
Departure Programmes
At the end of a tenancy we can assist clients with all the issues that arise and provide advice about how to ensure that a property is vacated in the correct condition to allow a smooth return of their deposit. Our departure service can cover the following aspects:
- Termination Notice: We can serve notice on the Landlord if required.
- Departure Notes: We provide notes containing useful reminders of some issues clients may need to address before leaving the UK and advice on how to close down utility accounts.
- Lease Review: We will review the lease to check on client’s contractual obligations on departure from the property.
- Cleaning: Depending on the terms of the lease we will advise on whether professional cleaning is required and can arrange for this to take place.
- Inventory and Checkout: As well as clarifying from the lease who is responsible for paying for the inventory check-out we will attend the check-out to provide support and assistance. This is to ensure the condition of the property is accurately reflected and that any dilapidation claims against the deposit are fair.
Refund of Deposit: We will negotiate (if necessary) with the landlord or agent on the issue of dilapidations (if any) and will arrange for the return of the deposit.
