Tenant Guide​

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1. Referencing Procedure

2. Fee Structure

3. Tenancy Agreement

4. Managed Properties

5. Rental Payment

6. Notice to end a tenancy

7. Insurance

8. Inventory

9. Deposit Returns

10. Tenants’ obligations

11. Property Inspection

12. Council Tax & Utilities

 

 

Referencing Procedure

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As soon as choose a property, there are a number of reference forms you will need to complete –we use a credit-referencing agency to carry out the checks.  Below are some examples of the type of references sought:

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• Employment confirmation, Salary confirmation.

• Photo ID (passport or driving licence).

• Previous Landlord references.

• Students (Guarantor or proof or funding).

• Self-Employment (Accountants references, trading details etc)

 

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Fee Structure

 

No fees.

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Tenancy Agreement

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The Tenant(s) and Landlord will be required to sign the tenancy agreement before the tenancy starts.  This agreement will set out the obligations for the Tenant(s) and Landlord.

 The tenancy agree usually runs for 1 period of 12 months.  At the end of the tenancy will contact you to you wish to renew your agreement for a longer period.  Should you wish to extend, we will then get in touch with the Landlord to organise documentation. Please note we act on behalf of the Landlord; the tenancy agreement is between the Tenant and Landlord.

 

We will issue you with a sample template agreement as required by law.  Please read this document carefully.  If you have questions pertaining to this legal document, we advise you to seek legal advice.

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Managed Properties

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We manage some of our Landlords properties.  If the property you choose to rent is managed by us then we will inform you of this prior to you moving into the property.  Any faults with appliances or the property in general will need to be reported to us. 

 

We will deal with the problem as quickly as possible. With faults not reported to us, the onus may turn onto you.  Therefore we ask you to report any problems in the property that you feel needs attention.​

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Rental Payment

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Rent payments ae made from Tenant’s bank account to the Landlord’s bank account, with exceptions to properties that are managed by us, whereby the rent payment is made to us.  For standing orders please use the property number and street name as the reference.​

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Notice to end a tenancy

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To terminate your tenancy subject to term, you will be required to give us one months’ notice in writing, unless specified otherwise in your tenancy agreement.

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Insurance

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You are responsible for your belongings in the property.  Please ensure you have adequate contents insurance.  There is no responsibility for the Landlord for any loss or damage to Tenant’s belongings.

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Inventory

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An inventory and check-in report provides an accurate description of the condition and contents at a property at the beginning of the tenancy; this protects both the Landlord and Tenant.  The reports will be used to check and compare the condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy in the form of a check-out report.  The inventory clerk will also provide an opinion to whether any damages during the tenancy are to be attributed to the tenant, to ‘fair wear and tear’ or to the Landlord as maintenance issues.

 

Landlords are advised to ensure inventories are well prepared for the properties they own.  Should legal or court action be required, then this will serve as an impartial, unbiased inventory prepared by a third party, not connected to either Landlord or Tenant.  Inventories which are prepared by a Landlord may be viewed as being biased.​ 

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An inventory of the property condition, furniture & fittings and effects will be prepared by the landlord, or by an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord before the tenancy starts.  The tenancy is Tenancy is checked and agreed to by both the Tenant and Landlord.

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Deposit Returns

 

At the end of your tenancy an inspection will be carried out by either the Landlord or an independent inventory clerk as instructed by the Landlord.

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Tenants’ obligations

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Responsibility of the property lays with the Tenant during their tenancy.  Please ensure the property is fully secured and steps are taken during the cold seasons to prevent freezing of water or to the heating systems.

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Property Inspection

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For properties we manage for Landlords, we will carry out a quarterly inspection to assess the condition of the property.  We check to see whether it is being kept in a satisfactory condition.  We will always arrange this at a time that is convenient with Tenants.

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Council Tax & Utilities

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It is Tenant responsibility to inform utilities they are staying at the property for when their tenancy begins.  You will need to arrange your own payment of council tax to the Local Authority.  Students who are exempt from council tax are responsible to inform the Local Authority about this. 

 

Where applicable VAT is charged at the current VAT rate.

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