Tenant FAQs

Please see our Tenant Fees for more information.

Before you move into the property, you will be required to pay a deposit to cover any dilapidations or rent arrears, of one month’s rent plus £100. Your deposit, by law is required to be protected, either in an Insurance or Custodial Scheme. We will forward your deposit to the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) to safeguard it.

Any disputes will be mediated through the DPS – Dispute Resolution Service.

Once we have received satisfactory references, we will discuss the moving in date with you.

On the day you move in, the Rent, Deposit and Arrangement Fee will need to be paid in cash. You will be asked to sign an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for six months.

You will be handed two Inventories for checking and signing, one to keep and the other to return to our office.

On moving in, please read the the Gas, Electric and Water Meters then contact your preferred Utility Companies. You will also need to contact the local Council for Council Tax.

Your first rent, must be paid in cleared funds, usually cash.

Future rents can be paid by Standing Order Mandate (most popular), cash or cheque – All rents exclude Utility Bills and Council Tax.

Rents are paid per calendar monthly on the date of your occupation of the property.

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or have a poor Credit Search Report, you may be required to provide a Rent Guarantor. They will also need to be referenced.

Basically paying the rent on time and in full, ensuring the property is kept in good order and adhering to the terms of the Tenancy Agreement.

When you move in, we would suggest locating the main Water Stop Cock and Fuse Board, in case of emergency. We also suggest taking out Contents Insurance. The Landlord will not be responsible for your personal possessions.

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you are responsible for:

• Promptly reporting defects to us, and to provide access for repairs
• Replacement of batteries in smoke alarms
• Replacement of light bulbs
• Sink and bath plugs
• Keeping floor coverings in reasonable condition, i.e. carpet and vinyl flooring
• Maintaining the garden, where applicable

Should any repairs be required during your tenancy, please contact our office initially – we will be able to notify local contractors to deal with the repair. You will be given emergency telephone numbers for a Plumber/Electrician to contact, if the need arises.

Smoke alarms – you are responsible for testing weekly, vacuuming every 3 months, and replacing the batteries when required. Please note a constant beeping sound emanating from the Smoke Detector indicates that the batteries require replacement.

Should any repairs be required during your tenancy, please contact our office initially – we will be able to notify local contractors to deal with the repair. You will be given emergency telephone numbers for a Plumber/Electrician to contact, if the need arises.

If you wish to vacate the property after the initial 6 month contract, you are required to give one month’s notice in writing.

We would ask you to immediately inform us of the situation, so the matter can be discussed.

Please note that if you are in 2 months rent arrears, a Section 8 Notice will be issued and legal action could be commenced, if the rent arrears are not cleared. Legal action will obtain possession of the property and will result in a CCJ which will affect your future credit rating.

If a Landlord requires you to vacate their property, and you have signed a fixed term tenancy, they must give you at least 2 months notice – Section 21 Notice(1)b, prior to the end of the tenancy. If your initial Tenancy has expired and is holding over, as a Periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancy, a Landlord can give you 2 months notice – Section 21 Notice(4)a, at any time.