Our tenant process has been designed to make renting with us simple. We provide electronic application forms with online signing, a Tenants’ Portal to log your maintenance issues and our friendly staff are always on hand to offer additional help as needed

1. Initial application.
In order to apply for a tenancy, you must complete our application form and also to provide us with Proof of ID and address. We can then start the administrative process of getting the landlords approval in principle. After this approval is received and once you have payed your setup fee we will start requesting references from you.

2. References.
We will check references and perform a credit check using an independent referencing provider. You may also be asked to provide a guarantor. If you fail any of the necessary checks you may not get your fee back so you must discuss any concerns, you may have with the staff first.

3. Tenancy agreements.
We will draw up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement for you to sign setting out the duties of both tenant and landlord. This can be done electronically. The tenancy agreement is a contract between you and the landlord. It is a legally binding document and you should read and understand it fully before signing it.

4. Commencing the tenancy.
The final step to securing the property is the deposit. We usually collect the equivalent of between 4 to 6 weeks rent and this is held for the duration of the tenancy. If we manage the property, the deposit will be held with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service).

5. The inventory.
This will be carried out by an independent inventory clerk (if applicable) and will be paid for by the landlord. It is a list detailing the exact condition of the property and is important in deciding how much of your deposit you get back at the end of your agreement. Where we manage the properties we will take meter readings and inform the utility and councils with your name(s) and move in date. You are responsible for paying all utility bills and Council Tax during your tenancy unless other terms have been agreed.

6. Preparing to move in.
The first months’ rent (and the deposit) have to be provided in cleared funds before the start of the tenancy. This means the money needs to be paid into our client bank account and have time to be processed by the bank, before you can collect the keys and move in. We will set up a standing order for the rent amount to be paid on the agreed date each month. The tenants must pay their rent from one bank account by Standing Order Mandate.

7. Coming to the end of your agreement.
As you near the end of your tenancy, we will write to you and discuss the options open to you. Obviously, you can choose whether you extend the agreement and stay, or decide to move out. If you wish to stay, the majority of tenancies are renewed onto another fixed term contract but occasionally (if both parties agree) the tenancy rolls onto a month-to-month agreement, known as a periodic tenancy. With a periodic tenancy the terms and conditions of the original agreement remain valid and, should you wish to move out, you would need to give the landlord one month’s notice. The landlord would need to give you two months’ notice if he wanted you to leave.

8. Moving out.
To ensure that you receive all your deposit back it is important to get the property up to an acceptable level before you hand it back. We will discuss this with you 2 weeks before you move out and agree the times of the checkout inspection.