Getting Started
Our friendly team can assist you in the local market and will advise on the different types of properties available, local transport links and how the lettings process works and what your obligations are when renting a property.
Finding And Reserving Your Property
Our team will arrange viewings for you for properties that may be of interest. Having viewed the property and arrived at a decision to make an application to rent we require all applicants to complete an online referencing form through our referencing partner Vouch, which will then be processed by our team to verify the information you have provided and make recommendations to the landlord.
Whilst reserving a property and completing an application is no guarantee of tenancy, a final decision as to whether or not a tenancy can proceed will depend on the responses received and will be made in consultation with the landlord. As part of the referencing process, you will be required to provide personal details ranging from name and address to occupation and salary. You will also be asked to provide financial, employer and previous landlord references as we can only agree to a tenancy subject to satisfactory replies from those referees.
The process also includes a search of your credit history and contacting your previous landlord or agent if you have rented a property before. These are routine procedures taken to protect all parties and should you have any previous County Court Judgements registered against you it may prove difficult to grant you a tenancy, unless you are able to provide a UK-based guarantor and the landlord is willing to accept this as an option. The guarantor will need to provide satisfactory references and credit checks and will be expected to sign the tenancy agreement along with you as the tenant to guarantee your legal commitments in the tenancy, including payment of rent. Once the referencing process is complete, you will be offered the tenancy of the property, subject to the terms of the tenancy agreement, the payment of the deposit, the agreed advanced rent and the landlord’s agreement that the tenancy can proceed.
**IDENTIFICATION To support your application you will need to provide your passport and proof of your current address. We will also require proof of your right to rent in the UK – the team will advise you on what is required at the point when you reserve a property.**
Deposits And Rent
A security deposit is required for all tenancies and is usually equal to five weeks rent unless a different amount is agreed with the landlord. This deposit is in addition to the advance rent payment required.
Should rent and deposit be paid by through your bank we must have at least three banking days to allow this to clear. Unfortunately, we do not accept credit/debit card payments for rent or deposits. Your deposit is paid as security on the property, held in a government-backed scheme (DPS) and will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy term subject to deduction for any damage or other deductions such as unpaid rent. The same security deposit is required from tenants who are on receipt of Housing Benefit.
Deductions From The Deposit
Should we need to replace items on the inventory or clean the house at the end of the tenancy, or if there has been a breach of the tenancy agreement, the return of your deposit will be delayed until all items are valued and replaced / cleaned. In any case we will aim to return your deposit within 28 working days. Damage and breakage of the landlord’s fixtures, fittings and effects, lost inventory items etc, which occur during the period of the tenancy will incur deductions from your deposit. It is important that you look after the property during the tenancy and take the utmost care to inspect the property and its fixtures and fittings at the outset. An inventory will be prepared prior to you moving into the property and must be agreed by you for its accuracy.
This inventory / statement of condition will then form the basis of assessment of the property’s condition at the end of the tenancy term. Fair wear and tear will obviously be taken into consideration. Damages that occur will be charged to your account, as will invoices from contractors employed to undertake necessary repairs or replace any items.
Payment Of Utilities / Council Tax / Other Charges
As the occupant of the property, you are responsible for the payment of all utilities (gas, electricity etc) during the tenancy and for the payment of final bills. You are required by law to inform the Council of your change of address and pay the appropriate council tax. Once the initial fixed term of your contract is over you may choose to sign a new tenancy.
Legal Notices And Tenancy Agreement
Before you sign for a tenancy you will be given a copy of the tenancy agreement and any appropriate notices. At this point our team will assist you with the documents and it is important to read these carefully and ask us questions if you are unsure.
During the tenancy term you have the right to enjoy the property without unreasonable interruption provided that you abide by the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement. However, as a tenant you have an obligation under your contract with the landlord, to allow property visits at regular intervals. We endeavour to do this at periodic intervals throughout the tenancy. We will contact you to make a mutually convenient arrangement prior to such an appointment.
Property Visits
Our property visits are important as this is a good opportunity for us to review how things have been for you whilst living at the property. You can discuss with us any problems that might be experienced relating to the property and for us to consider any repairs/decorations etc before they become a major concern. If, however, you experience any problems of immediate maintenance or repair please notify us straight away in order that appropriate action can be taken. We have a number of contractors available to ensure that the property is fixed quickly and that any disruption to you is minimised.
Rent
Rent should be paid to us by the due date each month. The method of payment is by standing order only, which should be set up 3 days in advance of the due date to allow for clearance through the banking system. Where there are a number of occupiers sharing accommodation, each person is jointly and severally liable to pay the rent as tenant and will pay the rent as a whole. Each tenant is jointly and severally responsible for the whole rent so that they are equally liable for the non-payment of rent by one of their co-tenants, should they fail to pay.
End Of Tenancy
Approaching the end of your tenancy, preparations should be made to hand the property back to us on the due date providing you have served the appropriate written notice to vacate in line with your tenancy agreement. It is good advice for you to take readings of meters to ensure that you receive accurate final bills from your energy supplier.
Inventory items should be placed in their respective rooms to facilitate easy checking on the final inspection. It is good practice to carefully read through the inventory, to ensure that the property is returned as close to its original condition as possible. Curtains and carpets should be vacuumed if required and it is good to generally prepare the property for its final inspection.
Liaise with us ahead of the final day and we can advise you of local contractors who can carry out any cleaning/preparation jobs for you if you need them. Once checking has been completed and deductions from your deposit agreed (if any), the deposit or balance of deposit will be returned to you as per the deposit scheme rules.
Summary
We hope that you have found these notes helpful and they are only intended to provide a summary to assist you in understanding the process and your obligations when you wish to rent a property from a private landlord. It is not the intention to give an authoritative interpretation of the law and by signing your contract, it is you that will be legally bound by its terms and your responsibilities.
Client Money Protection Scheme
Move Residential is a proud member of Money Shield which is a client money protection scheme, for more information on the scheme please click here.
