Services

Tenants Guide

First Step

The first step is to contact us to provide some details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. We then search our portfolio for suitable properties for you to view. Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 12 months, which may be renewed if all parties are in agreement.

All of our managed properties are Gas Safe certificated and inspected for electrical safety and furniture fire safety.

All Private Tenants, Tenancy Deposits  are held in accordance with the Deposit Protection Scheme. (Not applicable to Company Lets)

For AST/Private Tenants – No admin fees are charged for viewing the property, applying for the property, carrying out referencing, or setting up the tenancy. 

Second Step

Viewings

Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends. You will be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.

Third Step

Reserving the property

Once you have decided on a property, you will need to reserve it by paying a ‘holding deposit’, equivalent to 1 weeks’ rent for private tenants and 2 weeks’ rent for Company Lets. Assuming that the tenancy goes ahead, this will be deducted from the monies due before you move in. If the landlord declines to grant the tenancy, it will be refunded to you.

THE HOLDING DEPOSIT SHALL NOT BE RETURNED IF:

• The tenant withdraws
• The tenant doesn’t take all reasonable steps to enter the tenancy
• The tenant fails a right to rent check
• The tenant provides misleading information which materially affects their suitability to rent the property

Fourth Step

References

As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer, a previous or current landlord and a credit reference report. We may also require a personal reference and sometimes a guarantor. We use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references. The referencing company will get in touch with you directly by email once this process commences.

For AST/Private Tenants – No fees are charged for referencing. 

For Company Lets – any referencing fees paid to us are non-refundable in the event the referencing fails or you pull out of the property once the referencing is completed. 

Rents

Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account or your landlord’s bank account. We do not accept payments in Cash.

Fifth Step

Deposit

A security deposit of a minimum of 5 weeks rent will normally be required. This deposit will be treated in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Protection regulations and you will be informed of which protection scheme is utilised. The 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.

Security Deposits for Company Lets are usually between 3-5 months of rent depending on the property and usage.

Sixth & Final Step

Once the referencing is completed and satisfactory references are obtained, we will create a tenancy agreement. We will confirm your check-in appointment which will be the start of your tenancy (this must be within 4 weeks of securing the property and will become your monthly rent due date). We shall prepare the property and carry out the inventory (if not already done so) to be ready for your check-in date.

Tenant Deposit:

We are registered with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS). A deposit equal to 5 weeks rent will be required. Please nominate your lead tenant; this person will be the sole point of contact for the DPS and deposit return process at the end of your tenancy. This does not apply to Company Lets where the security deposit will be held by us in our Client Deposit Account for the duration of the tenancy.

Rental Payments:

All payments must be paid via direct transfer or set up a standing order into our account. Failure to do so will incur penalty charges. We do not accept any CASH payments. Rents must be cleared through the bank in cleared funds on or before the rent payment date.

Property Inspections:

We will carry out inspections on the property at regular intervals. This gives us the opportunity to also discuss any outstanding issues with the tenants and also check that the property is being looked after. We will always give a minimum of 48 hours notice of an inspection in writing. Tenants do not have to be present for the inspections as we are able to use management keys to gain access.

Renewing the Tenancy:

If your landlord is happy to renew your tenancy we will offer you a renewal in writing (usually for 12 months). Periodic extensions requests will be considered under certain circumstances.

Upon renewal you will be issued with a copy of the new agreement.

End of Tenancy:

A check out will be conducted at the property which will determine the return of your deposit. Providing the property is handed back in a good condition (as per the inventory report, with no dilapidation’s above fair wear and tear) and the rental account is not in arrears the deposit will be returned in full via The DPS.

Please note; throughout the tenancy the deposit cannot be used to cover rental arrears or the final month’s rent payment.