Landlords and Tenants

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR TENANTS

This Tenants Guide has been drawn up to provide information which should prevent disputes due to misunderstandings and lack of information.

• All prospective tenants must be over 18 years of age. Any prospective tenants under the age of 21 will need their parents or guardians to be guarantors.
• Reference fee for company lets is £200.00 inc VAT
• References are checked through a professional referencing agency.
• No administration fees are charged to the tenant. However a holding deposit of 1 week’s is required to secure the property whilst references are undertaken. It will not be refunded if:
  • The prospective tenant fails the Immigration Act checks and the Agent could not reasonably have known they would fail.
  • The prospective tenant gives false information on their application form.
  • Just before the deadline for the Agreement, the prospective tenants notifies the Agent they have decided not to enter into the Agreement.
  • Where the Agent has taken all reasonable steps to enter into the Agreement but the prospective tenant fails to take reasonable steps.
  An explanation will be given in writing within 7 days as to why the holding deposit will not be returned.
  With the tenant’s consent this holding deposit can be used towards the first month’s rent.
• Rent is always payable (calendar) monthly in advance.
• The first month’s rent and deposit must be paid by bank transfer at least 48 hours before the Tenancy starts, in order to allow the deposit to be lodged with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service).
• A deposit of up to 5 weeks’ rent is payable in advance and is held against possible dilapidations at termination of the tenancy.
• All rents exclude the cost of gas, electricity, telephone, council tax and water/ sewerage rate, unless stated otherwise in the Tenancy Agreement.
• Unless otherwise stated, all agreements are an Assured Shorthold Tenancy usually for a 6 month period. To terminate the tenancy the Landlord must give 2 months’ notice in writing and the tenant 1 months’ notice in writing. The notice must be given on or before the day on which the rent is due.
• In a shared tenancy, all tenants will be included on the tenancy agreement. Should any one of the tenants leave during the tenancy, those remaining will be responsible for the full rent. No part payment will be acceptable and the property may not be sub-let. If the tenants wish to introduce a new person, that person will have to produce the necessary references and a new agreement will have to be prepared.
• Tenants are responsible for insuring all the belongings that they take into the property. The owner’s insurance covers none of their goods. We can provide tenants with details of tenant’s contents’ insurance.
• On taking a tenancy, the tenants may be supplied with an inventory and schedule of condition. This must be signed and returned to the agent within 7 days. Failure to return this document signed in the time specified will deem the Inventory Schedule of Condition to be as stated. It is essential to check this very carefully.
• On vacating the property, no utilities should be disconnected as this will incur re-connection charges. The departing tenants should arrange for all meters to be read so as to ensure they will not be charged for the accounts of any subsequent tenants.
• Should there be any problems with the property during the tenancy, under no circumstances should the tenant instruct a tradesman or carry out the work themselves without the authority of the landlord or the agent. The tenants can inform the agent of any problems by telephone, e-mail or in writing. Should any work be carried out under instruction of the tenants, they will be fully responsible for reinstating any works and will be responsible for any costs.