Searching for accommodation can be time-consuming and at times frustrating. Searching through thousands of online adverts, ringing around dozens of estate agents and trying to find time to fit in viewings around other commitments can be difficult, especially when you are working to a tight deadline. To help make things easier we have broken the process down in to ten easy steps…
Register with Us
Register with us through our website, via email, or over the phone and we will take a detailed summary of your requirements. Once we know what you are looking for we will let you know as soon as a suitable property comes on to the market if there are none currently available.
Viewings
Once we have suggested a property that you like the look of we will book you in for a viewing. For your convenience we are available up to 7pm on week nights and 9:30am-3pm on Saturdays.
Making An Offer
If you would like to make an offer to rent one of the properties that we have shown you, we ask you to lodge a holding deposit and complete a brief application form. Please note this will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a right to rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information or fail to sign their
tenancy (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing.
Should the Tenant(s) withdraw or fail referencing due to non-disclosure and/or falsified references this fee will not be returned.
It can, with your agreement be used as a contribution towards your first month’s rent or Tenancy Deposit if the Tenancy proceeds to move in/completion.
Reservation – Equivalent to 1 weeks’ rental
Referencing
After your offer has been accepted by the landlord we then proceed to take up references. Our referencing is carried out by an independent referencing agency, and they will request that you complete an application form. Once this has been submitted they will run a credit check and request references from your current landlord and employer. If you are self-employed your accountant would be contacted for a reference. If you are on a temporary/contract basis, you may be required to provide a UK based guarantor who will also undergo the same referencing procedure. Each tenant and guarantor is also required to provide photographic proof of identity and we also request recent bank statements to back up your references.
Referencing criteria
Once you have submitted your application we will keep you updated whilst the process is being completed
The Deposit
Once the deposit is paid in full, the property is secured. This deposit is held as the landlord’s cover for any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy.
We’ll inform you what deposit scheme the landlord will be using and the terms and conditions of that scheme will form part of your Tenancy Agreement.
Deposit – Equivalent to Five weeks’ rent
Tenancy Agreement
A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are adhered to. All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. This may include such responsibilities as; you must tell your landlord if you are going away for longer than 14 days, you must not use the property as a business.
Our top tip: The date on which the contract starts will become your rent’s due date. You’re unable to change this at a later stage, so please do bear it in mind when you reserve a property.
Insurance
Tenants often overlook the need to take out contents insurance when renting a property.
Moving In Day
When the landlord accepts your offer, your lettings consultant will put all the details together. They will call you to confirm all the arrangements and will draw up your tenancy agreement and other important documentation.
With your references, all paperwork complete, it’s time to move in!
Your keys will be available to collect at your check in appointment from the lettings agent.
Remember to inform your utilities provider and the local council of your move.
The inventory
The inventory is a detailed list of the contents and condition of the property at the point that you move into it. By both parties agreeing that the inventory is correct at the start of the tenancy, any risk of disputes at the end of the tenancy will be minimised. We recommend therefore that you thoroughly check the inventory before you sign.
Property Inspections & Safety Checks
Property Inspections
The property you are renting is a large investment for your landlord, so we will arrange visit days to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year. Of course, if anything breaks down or needs repairing then we will visit the property more often to ensure the property maintains in good condition for you to live in.
Your safety and well being is paramount to us therefore all our property’s which we rent out have a smoke detectors as a minimum, and these are inspected bi-annually. If the property has a Fire alarm system these are tested with also as well as Emergency lighting.
Your Letting Manager
You’ll receive a welcome call within 48 hours from your designated Letting Manager, who will be your main point of contact during the course of your tenancy. They will advise you on any maintenance issues and if action is needed either by yourself or the landlord- depending on whether the issue is a long term fault or through ‘wear-and-tear’.
The next steps
Once you are nearing the end of your tenancy period you will need to decide whether to extend your stay or move out (remembering to give one months’ notice in writing).
a. Staying put
If you do want to renew the tenancy, we will liaise with you directly and send you all the necessary paperwork to complete. If your circumstances have changed, some new checks may be needed, but this will be advised on at the time.
Our top tip: Remember the landlord at this stage will be within his/her rights to serve notice on your tenancy if they need the property back or there have been any persistent issues.
b. Moving out
We’ll arrange a check out with an independent inventory company (carried out on the last day of your tenancy) to ensure the property is left in an appropriate condition – at this point, you’ll hand back the keys. If the landlord manages the property, you’ll need to liaise with them directly in order to arrange a time and date to meet there, complete a check out and hand the keys back.
Deposit
After serving your notice you’ll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.
Pardoning normal wear-and-tear, if the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, getting your deposit back should be no problem.
Here’s what to do next:
Give the property a thorough clean, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture (if necessary hire a professional cleaner)
If it’s your responsibility, tidy up the garden and clear away any rubbish
Return all of the keys
Remove all of your personal belongings
If you need any help either before after your tenancy call us and we’ll be happy to help.
If you have any further questions or would like to register with our lettings department please contact us by phone on 0754 781 5685 or by email at [email protected].