Tenants

Process of Renting

• Once you have viewed a property and agreed an Application in principal, the payment of a Holding Deposit is required to hold the property whilst references are completed. This includes obtaining references from current or previous employers and landlords, full credit check(s) and contract negotiation.
• We will also carry out Right To Rent checks, to be carried out under the Immigration Act 2014. You must provide us with documentation which shows you have a legal right to rent in the UK. In order to meet the legal requirements, you must provide us with various documents such as; Passport, Endorsed passport giving permission to reside in the UK, immigration documents endorsed by the Home Office.
• Should all credit checks and referencing prove satisfactory, the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) will be created and signed by all tenants as well as the landlord (or on behalf of the landlord).
• An Inventory of the property is done on the move-in date and you receive the keys to your new home!

FEES CHARGED TO TENANTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TENANT FEES ACT 2019, EFFECTIVE FROM THE 1ST JUNE 2019.

Tenant Fees Schedule

New Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST’s) signed on or after 1st June 2019.

Holding Deposit
One weeks rent (per Tenancy). This is to reserve a property. Please note: this will be withheld if any relevant person (including guarantor(s) withdraw from a tenancy, fail a right to rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and/ or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing)

Security/Tenancy Deposit
Five weeks rent (per Tenancy). This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Unpaid Rent
Interest at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from the Rent Due date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.

Lost Keys or Security Devices
Tenants are liable for the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual cost of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord and any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred, a charge of £15 per hour (Inc. VAT) will be charged for the time taken to replace lost keys or other security devices.

Variation of Contract
£50 (Inc. VAT) per agreed variation. This is to cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instruction as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents. (Tenant Request)

Change of Sharer
£50 (Inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and ‘Right to Rent’ checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents. (Tenant Request)

Early Termination
Charges will apply in the event that the Tenant wishes to terminate their contract early. Charges equal to the re-letting costs of the Landlord, in addition to all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy. (Tenant Request)

Pets
A Tenant can request permission to keep a pet in the property before the Holding Deposit is paid and the tenancy is entered into. A pet residing in the property will affect the monthly rental payment. Properties are often advertised at a higher rent to allow permission to keep a pet in the premises.

Acceptance or Rejection
If the Landlord decides not to offer you a tenancy for any reasons, then your Holding Deposit will be refunded within 7 days. If it turns out that you have provided us with false or misleading information as part of your tenancy application, or if you fail any of the checks which the Landlord requires us to undertake under the Immigration Act 2014, then your Holding Deposit will not be returned. Should you be offered and you accept a tenancy for the property, your holding deposit (upon your confirmation) can be credited either to the first months’ rent or Tenancy Deposit.

  How to Rent Guide (PDF)