Information for Tenants

Finding a property

Our personnel are specially trained and equipped to assist you to find properties to rent that will meet your needs. We maintain a database of properties available to rent, along with prospective tenants and their requirements. As properties become available, our first action is to contact waiting tenants on our database whose requirements match that of the property. Typically, properties to rent become available about two months before occupancy date, so where possible, it is advisable to start looking at your earliest convenience.

Viewings

Having potentially identified a suitable property, we will arrange a viewing. This will be at a time to suit you, subject of course, to the occupiers’ permission. All viewings will be accompanied by a member of staff who will be able to provide advice and answer any questions you may have.

Offer / Application

Having decided on a property, each applicant will need to complete an application pack. At this time, any details or requirements can be provisionally agreed, such as occupancy date, duration of the letting etc.

Upon application, a Reservation Fee will be required. This will be equal to half a months' rent. Assuming the rental then proceeds, this will be deducted from the monies due before occupation. These monies are outlined in more detail in the Rent, Deposit and Administration / Agency fees sections, shown below. If we or the landlord decline your application, this fee will be refunded (minus the fee for the referencing and Credit Check which unfortunately are non-refundable). It will however, not be refunded if you decide not to proceed for any reason or if the tenancy fails to progress due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided in the tenancy application.

References

We will take references on behalf of the landlord. Typically, these will include your employer, a former landlord and a Character Reference. In addition, a Credit Check will also be undertaken.

Where a tenant is unable to meet the required income levels or pass the Credit Check, it may, depending on the circumstances, be possible to have a guarantor agree to underwrite any rent liabilities.

Rent

Rents are normally quoted on a calendar month basis. In addition, the tenant is usually responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, gas, electricity and telephone costs.

Rents are payable monthly, in advance, by standing order (unless alternative arrangements are previously agreed upon). The first months’ rent is therefore due before taking occupation of the property.

Deposit

A deposit is also required prior to the occupation. This amount could vary but is normally equal to one and a half months’ rent depending on the individual requirements of the landlord.

Where we are instructed by the landlord to manage the property, we will either hold this as stakeholders in a Client Account, and in accordance with an appropriate Tenancy Deposit Scheme, until the end of the tenancy, alternatively, the deposit will be held by the custodial Tenancy Deposit Scheme. We will advise you at the commencement of your tenancy which scheme your deposit will be protected by.

Where we are not managing the property, it will be passed over to the appropriate Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

The deposit is held to cover any breakages, damage or other tenant liabilities. Where we are managing, at the end of the tenancy, we will check the property (in the presence of the tenant, if requested) and assess any damages and deductions due.

Please note that the deposit cannot be used to cover rent.

Tenancy Agreement

The Tenancy Agreement will be produced prior to the commencement of the tenancy. All tenants will need to read and then sign the agreement. The Tenancy Agreement is a complex and lengthy document. Should you wish, we can provide you with a draft copy prior to proceeding with your application. If you have any queries regarding the agreement, please speak to a member of staff.

Administration / Agency fees

We are due a fee prior to the start of the tenancy. This fee covers your share of administration costs, preparation of the Tenancy Agreement, any legal notices, plus check-in and check-out. Our fee for this is £82.25 (including VAT).

The fee for the required referencing and Credit Check is £35.25 (including VAT) per applicant.

We are aware that many agencies charge additional fees under the guise of renewal fees and termination fees etc. Often these fees aren't even disclosed until you get the Tenancy Agreement, at which point it's too costly for you to look elsewhere. We don't believe that these practises are ethical, hence we don't have any hidden fees. The only fees we will charge you, as a tenant, are shown above.