Tenant
Services
We can offer a professional and helpful service to help find the right home for you. Please find below some useful information that will guide you through the process of renting with us.
Why rent through us ?
No tenant fees – nothing to pay!
We offer a professional and helpful service to help find the right home for you. Please find below some useful information that will guide you through the process of renting with us.
- We are here to help you at every stage of your application
- We will only show you properties that meet all the health and safety requirements
- We will not charge you any fees.
- We will conduct evening and weekend appointments (that’s Saturday and Sunday too)
- We will deal with your maintenance issues promptly and efficiently instructing local contractors as soon as we have been given the landlords authority.
- We will secure your deposit safely with the Deposit Protection Service.
- We will arrange for you to be at the check-out.
- We will provide you with a full colour inventory
USEFUL INFORMATION
Tenant Details
Application
Once you have decided on the property you want to rent, we will ask you to complete a written application form – we can help you with this.
Administration / Agency Fees
NO TENANT FEES! THAT’S RIGHT NOTHING AT ALL TO PAY.!
Referencing
As part of the application, we will endeavour (with your permission) to obtain written references to support the information you provide. This will usually mean contacting your employer, current or previous landlord and someone to give you a character reference. We will also carry out a credit search, using an independent referencing company.
Should we decide a guarantor is required before a tenancy can be granted; the same process of referencing will apply to the guarantor.
Restrictions
Some landlords may wish to apply certain restrictions to a tenancy. Please find below some examples of typical restrictions that may be imposed:
- Smokers
- Housing Benefit
- Students
- Pets
You should be advised of any restrictions before an agreed viewing of a property takes place.
Self Employed Applicants – No Problem!
If you are self-employed, we will require a written reference from your bank and accountant. We will also require accounts, dating back 3 years.
Student Applicants – No Problem!
If you are a student who cannot prove a consistent and sufficient income, you will need a parent, relative or close friend to guarantee the rent and adherence to any other tenant obligation listed within the agreement.
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
At the start of every tenancy we collect a deposit, normally equal to a minimum of one month’s rent. This is used in the event of breakage or damage caused.
In accordance with the Housing Act 2004, landlords are no longer permitted to retain a tenant’s deposit and must select either an insured based or custodial based scheme in which to hold a tenant’s deposit. A statutory certificate is then supplied to the tenant, advising on which approved scheme protects the deposit. This must be done within 14 days of the tenancy start date. Please speak to one of our representatives for further information.
What happens if there is a deposit dispute at the end of the tenancy?
In the event of a dispute, both parties (landlords and tenants) will have 10 days to resolve the matter. If no resolution has been reached, they will be invited to make use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution process that is provided free with their chosen deposit scheme. Should the parties opt for Alternative Dispute Resolution they will be bound by its decision with no redress to the courts. What we will do for you ……. Meet you at the property at the time of the check out so that you may point out any issues. If you are happy with the report you are given an opportunity to sign there and then and have a copy emailed to you.
When can I Move in?
As soon as we have received satisfactory replies to our reference enquiries, we will contact you to agree a time for you to move in. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to organise a day to move with working, so we are happy to do evening appointments and Sunday Move In’s.
We would advise that for the start of the tenancy, you arrange for gas, electric, water, telephone and council tax accounts to be transferred into your name – we can help you with this!
Tenants Insurance
When renting a property it is very important to make sure you are covered by insurance for any damages that may occur. The landlord’s own insurance will not cover your belongings. It will also exclude cover if a tenant accidentally damages the landlord’s property and therefore it could result in the loss of your deposit to cover the repairs – we can help you with this!
Rent
Rent is paid in advance and by standing order.
Maintenance
When a tenant uses the 24 hour fault reporting line they will receive a call back to discuss the issues, the landlord will be notified within 24 hours and a local engineer despatched to the property, once the landlord has given the authority to do so.