Letting Process For Tenants
Helping You Find The Perfect Property
The first step is to contact us to register on our database and provide brief details about yourself and the type of property you are looking for. If we do not have a suitable property for you to view immediately we will contact you via email as soon as one becomes available. Rest assured that we won’t waste your time, and will only show you properties that are suitable. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move, to give yourself enough time to find a property that is ideal for you. You also need to think about your current contract and find out what notice you are required to give and when, as you could have dates you will need to work around.
Viewings can be arranged at times to suit you, including early evenings and Saturdays, and one of our lettings staff will be on hand to give advice and answer any questions you may have.
Reserving The Property With A Holding Deposit
When you have found a property that suits you, you will need to pay a ‘holding deposit’, equivalent to one week’s rent. Assuming that the tenancy goes ahead, this will be deducted from the monies due before you move in. If the landlord decides not to grant the tenancy for reasons unrelated to referencing, it will be refunded. However the holding deposit will not be returned if you decide not to proceed for any reason, fail to take up the tenancy within 14 days or by the date given on the holding deposit receipt, or any days mutually agreed in writing, fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application, fail your right to rent checks or delay getting your referencing information submitted beyond a reasonable time.
Obtaining Satisfactory References
As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer, and a previous or current landlord. We may also require a personal reference, and sometimes a guarantor. In addition a credit check will be undertaken and we will require copies of identification such as passport for our files, you will need to visit the office in person with your photographic ID to satisfy the new Right to Rent rules. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references. We are registered with the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998 and subscribe to the protection principles outlined. Registration number: Z1116144 (London)
Paying Rents & Bills
Rents are quoted per calendar month and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and all Telephone and TV/Internet costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account if we are managing the property, or to your landlord. It is your responsibility to set up a standing order with your bank, we do not automatically take the money due.
Securing Your Deposit
Initially we will collect the first month’s rent in advance and take a security deposit equal to five weeks rent. In view of the Government tenants deposit legislation, we will protect your deposit, and pay it into the government-backed TDS custodial scheme under our name, or that of your landlord if we do not manage the property. Your landlord may decide to use a different government-backed scheme if they manage the property themselves and they will provide details of this at the start of your tenancy. A security deposit is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by the tenant to cover rent. Once registered the TDS will be in direct contact with you to confirm this, please retain your repayment ID as you will need it at the end of the tenancy. Your landlord will give you a copy of the certificate of registration if they have chosen an insurance backed scheme instead.