Most landlords will require a tenancy for a minimum of six months, and although you would be able to move out before the end of that period, you will still have to pay the rent for six months, unless the landlord agreed to re-let the property. If that’s the case, you could be released from the tenancy early.
Usually, yes! We will let you know about the landlord’s circumstances at the beginning of the tenancy, and while some landlords only want to let short-term, others may prefer to let for several years. We will let you know when the agreement is written. We have found that many landlords will be happy to renew the tenancy for a further period of six to 12 months.
After you have viewed one of our properties and decided that you’d like it, we will complete an application form which we will submit to a referencing agency. This will check your salary with your employer, your history with any previous landlord and check for County Court judgements. Regretfully, if you do not pass this initial stage it is unlikely that you will be offered a tenancy, but we always obtain confirmation from the landlord that the tenancy can proceed, so the final decision lies with them.
To reserve a property, you will need to pay a holding deposit equal to a weeks' rent but there is no admin fee. If your application is turned down by the landlord, your deposit will be returned, but if you withdraw the application you will not get this back. Fees are non-refundable once your application has been processed.
You will be asked to pay a security deposit of around five weeks rent, and your £100 holding deposit will be set against this, and you’ll have to pay the first month's rent in advance. If you need immediate access to the property, these amounts will have to be paid in cash, banker's draft or by debit or credit card. Cheques take five days to clear and you’ll be given access when they have been processed.
If you leave the property in an acceptable condition without rent arrears at the end of the tenancy, you’ll get you security deposit back within 10 working days.
We will help you to set up a standing order direct to our bank account and this will be completed as part of the tenancy paperwork.
Some of our landlords are willing to accept housing benefit tenants. The final decision rests with the landlord and the main factor is that rent can sometimes be delayed or benefits stopped if a tenant's circumstances change. We normally ask for a guarantor to accept the ultimate responsibility for payment, if the tenant is suddenly unable to pay.
Most landlords don’t accept dogs or cats, but other domestic pets might be accepted. If a landlord agrees to accept a pet, this is usually on the understanding that the property may require carpet cleaning, flea dis-infestation or deodorising at the end of your tenancy.
If we are not managing the property, and we will let you know, you should contact the landlord. Otherwise, contact us and we will arrange for someone to deal with the problem. If it’s an emergency and outside the usual office hours, you can call one of our approved contractors. Unless it is essential, don’t attempt repairs yourself without our approval, as you could then be responsible for paying the contractor.
Yes. We can arrange a contents insurance policy for you through our agency with our preferred agent, which is specially designed for tenants. Please call us for details and a quote.
