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Renting Guide

We have many years of experience letting properties to tenants and will do all we can to make the process as simple as possible.

VIEWINGS

Once you have found properties to rent that match your requirements, we will make appointments to show you those that you have selected. Also, as soon as new properties come in that we feel you would be interested in, we will contact you immediately.

Wherever possible we try to schedule viewings around your daily commitments and one of our negotiators will meet you at the property and accompany you throughout. During your viewings please feel free to ask any questions you may have, and if we cannot answer them on the spot we will make enquiries with the landlord and let you know.

The term of the tenancy will generally be either 6 or 12 months initially, but a longer term can be negotiated if required. Whichever term is agreed, tenants must understand that they cannot terminate the tenancy before the end of the fixed term

HOLDING A PROPERTY

To reserve a property we will require a holding deposit equal to one weeks rent.

The holding deposit is refundable once the tenancy is entered into and will form part of your first months’ rent.

Please note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor/s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement within 15 calendar days. Any other mutually agreed timeframe must be in writing.

TENANCY APPLICATION

We are required to take up references on each prospective tenant and use a credit referencing agency for this purpose. We may request additional documentation from you such as bank statements, proof of address history, a reference from a previous landlord and details of your current employer and future employment contract if between jobs.

DEPOSIT AND INITIAL RENTAL PAYMENT

The deposit will be equal to Five weeks’ rent (or Six week rent if Rent of 50,000 or over per annum), and the first month’s rent is payable in advance. Payment must be made by cleared funds i.e. debit card or bank transfer. We can no longer accept personal or company cheques or cash.

If the property is managed by Heath Estates, the deposit that you have paid will be held by us and registered with The Tenants Deposit Scheme (TDS), which is one of the Government’s approved schemes.

Where we are not managing the property, the landlord will be passed the deposit for him/her to register with a government-approved scheme of their choice. Alternatively, the landlord may decide to register the deposit in the Heath Estates scheme. We will be able to advise you of which is the case.

INVENTORY AND SCHEDULE OF CONDITION

Before you move in our inventory clerk will perform an inventory, a document containing full written descriptions and photos of the decorative and cosmetic appearance of the property including any pre-existing damage, the condition of furniture, white goods and fittings that are included in the agreement. Please read the document carefully as it will be used at the end of the tenancy to determine any proposed deductions from your deposit.

SERVICES AND UTILITIES

Council tax, water rates and other domestic supplies are not included in the rent unless otherwise stated. It is the tenant’s responsibility to register with all the relevant utility companies and organise payments. Tenants must also register themselves on the Electoral Roll.

THE TENANT FEE ACT 2019

HOW THIS AFFECTS TENANTS CHARGES AND PAYMENTS AT A GLANCE FROM 1ST JUNE 2019 FOR AN ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY PERMITTED PAYMENTS

  1. Payment of rent
  2. Tenancy deposit Five weeks rent (Six weeks rent if annual rent exceeds 50,000)
  3. Holding deposit (One weeks rent)
  4. Default Fee - Interest at 3% above Bank of England Base Rate from the rent due date. Levied after the first 14 days in arrears.
  5. Variation or assignment - 50 (inc vat)) per agreed variation 50 (inc vat) per agreed replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher.
  6. Early termination - Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlords costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the new tenancy. These costs shall be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on their tenancy
  7. Council Tax
  8. Utilities
  9. TV licence
  10. Communication services

PERMITTED CHARGES

  1. Some tenancy breaches
  2. Breakages / loss of keys/ fobs and security devices. Please note: Should the loss results in the locks needing to be changed the cost of a locksmith, additional keys for landlord and agent will be charged to the tenant.