A recent enquirer with Prime Cap was keen to understand how our services might improve the rate of exchange and the ease of execution for payments related to the collection of sterling denominated rent on their London property, and the transmission of that rent to their US account, where they now live (and rent).
The enquirer currently banks with a reputable, if not venerable, UK based private bank, but, as is so often the case they had suspicions that the rate of exchange could be improved on the basis that the amount being transmitted was 'small', although regular.
When addressing matters of this type and without having delved any deeper with the enquirer than to establish the basic terms of the matter, we need to assume certain things, however, it is worth noting that the particulars of the collection of funds will generally determine the best way to maximise rate and process efficiency.
Is rent paid to you by an appointed managing agent?
If your tenant pays your rent to an agent managing your property then you are at liberty to instruct the agent to credit those pounds to whichever account you chose.
Prime Cap works directly with a number of managing agents who send GBP to their overseas landlords.
We work with them in a couple of ways.
1. If the landlord has stipulated that the GBP amount should simply be paid directly to their foreign currency account, then the agent can elect to instruct a currency broker like Prime Cap to facilitate the transmission.
In doing so, the agent is ensuring that the landlord receives as much as 5% more of the foreign currency amount than the landlord would receive were the agent to simply send an international sterling payment to them.
The agent is acting conscientiously and is ensuring that his client receives the optimum amount of foreign currency achievable.
Process wise, the client need do nothing as Prime Cap engages directly with the managing agent to receive the sterling and send the foreign currency amount onwards.
This is a particularly useful service for lettings and management businesses in the UK with a number of overseas landlords who just want to receive as much as they can, directly.
2. Prime Cap's partnering with managing and lettings agents as a third party 'preferred' broker means that it is the receiving client who elects, or not, to engage our services.
It is a referral structure, plain and simple.
The client receives the same high quality service, unparalleled rates and easy to use tools, and the managing agent has a trusted partner to present to their international and overseas customer(s).
Does the tenant pay directly to your GBP account?
If your tenant pays directly to your UK sterling bank account then, simply by advising them (the tenant) to pay funds to Prime Cap, you, as the landlord, can make use of the same expert private client offering that all our customers enjoy.
The tenant sends us the monthly amount either by standing order or by manual online payment. Their obligations do not change, only the bank account to which they are paying your rent does.
Prime Cap's accounts are fully segregated, which provides you with the comfort of FCA authorisation. On arrival of the monies we notify you and invite you either to manually exchange funds over our online transaction platform, or leave instruction with our broking team to exchange and credit funds immediately to you.
Both processes benefit from the same compelling rates of exchange.
Do you have a standing order to send a set GBP amount to your overseas account?
As above, collecting your rent in to your UK sterling account leaves you at the mercy of your bank when it comes to the rate of exchange used for the conversion of your funds.
All private clients are welcome to set up a standing order to credit Prime Cap's GBP segregated client account on a monthly basis and on the understanding that Prime Cap's team will exchange funds at the optimum rate and as rapidly as possible.
You simply receive the appropriate statements and confirmations detailing the rate achieved and the date on which funds will clear with you abroad.
Do you convert all the rent on a monthly basis, or only enough to cover your foreign currency expenses?
Whether you chose to send the full rental income to us or not, we can buy the foreign currency amount you need and hold or return any excess.
A changing rate of exchange means that month-by-month the foreign currency equivalent of the GBP you receive will vary.
By asking us to hold the GBP amount left over once the foreign currency amount is bought, you are building up a buffer that can offset an drop in the rate in subsequent months.
Keeping the excess/remainder in GBP means that you have a UK based GBP denominated sinking funds which can be credited back to your GBP account if you wish, or paid out to third parties if expenses are incurred with the management and maintenance of your property.
In this instance Prime Cap serves as both your currency broker and a competitive and speedy payments platform.
None of the services offered to managing agents and landlords restrict the broader use of our day-to-day services, so, by registering with us for these transactions you are also possessing yourself of a trusted, quick and competitive payment services provider for other random or day-to-day payment activities.
An alternative to the more conventional 'rent collection' model is the application of our services for those who have a second home abroad.
Some clients charge their guests, tenants or customers in the currency of the country in which their property is located.
So, someone with a villa in France can accept payments in euros from guests from around the world.
Providing Prime Cap's appropriately denominated currency account details to your guests means you can easily and quickly pay monies directly to your own foreign currency account, or back in to GBP if you wish, and, all this can be done over a simple and recognisable online platform, accessible around the clock.
Every arrangement is unique and we do not take a prospective client's understanding of the terms and tools we offer for granted.
Each solution is tailored to your goals and, where possible and appropriate, we will make suggestions and recommendations that best suit your preferences even if you weren't aware that such tools were available.
Whether managing agent, tenant or landlord, do ring us to find out more.
www.primecappayments.com | 02034175781 | brokers@primecappayments.com