Renting Process

The first step is to register your interest with your local estate agents in your chosen area and also register your details on their website.

Alternatively you can visit our office, or contact us by email or telephone or you can contact us via Rightmove or Zoopla. Make sure you are clear about what you require, i.e. number of bedrooms etc and you have an indication of your budget. Ensure that you give us your contact details because desirable properties go very quickly. Also let the agent know your expected move in date as this will enable you and the agent to work together to find you the ideal property.

• Determine Budget: Assess your financial situation to determine how much rent you can afford, usually no more than 30% of your income.

• Identify Needs and Preferences: You may want to consider location, size of the property, amenities, and proximity to work, schools, or public transportation.

• Search for Listings: Look for rental listings online, through real estate agents, or in community bulletin boards.

Schedule Viewings: Contact landlords or property managers to schedule viewings of properties that meet your criteria.

Inspect the Property: During the viewing, check for the condition of the property, appliances, and any potential issues (e.g., mold, pests).

Ask Questions: Clarify any doubts about the lease terms, utilities, parking, pet policies, or other important details.

Complete an application form: Complete a rental application, providing personal information, rental history, employment details, and references.

Is your requirement a short term tenancy: Tenancy agreements are issued for either 6 or 12 months.

Paying the holding deposit fee: This will secure the property and the agent will not arrange any more viewings. When the offer is accepted the holding deposit will be deducted from the initial deposit. If you change your mind, you will not be refunded the holding deposit, however if the landlord cannot or choose not to let the property to you, all funds will be refunded.

Provide Supporting Documents: Submit proof of income (e.g., pay stubs), identification, and any other requested documents.

If you are unable to meet all off the criteria to obtain the tenancy on your own accord, you may need a guarantor.

Role of the guarantor: A guarantor in terms of a tenancy is a person who agrees to take on the financial responsibility for a tenants’ financial obligation. They will also be referenced through our referencing agents to ensure they are a suitable person to act as your Guarantor. The Guarantor should understand their obligations as they will be asked to sign a legally binding Guarantor Deed/Contract agreeing to conditions which will include being liable for the rent in full should you default on your rental payment for any reason.

The tenancy agreement is the legally binding document that details your rights and obligations as a tenant, the obligations and expectations of your landlord, and the agreements made by all parties. It will set out the core terms and conditions.

You should make sure your agent or landlord gives you a copy of the draft tenancy agreement well ahead of the start date of the tenancy, for you to read. You should ensure you do this, so you are clear as to what you are signing. If you are not sure of anything contained in the agreement, ask the agent for clarification, seek legal advice or get help from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Why is the security deposit required: Before you take occupancy of the property you will be asked as the tenant to provide a security deposit. This is used to cover any losses incurred by the landlord due to the fault of the tenant. This could be damage to the property by the tenant, non-payment of rent, or loss of rent due to damage to the property.

Amount to be paid: The security deposit is typically paid at 5 weeks’ worth of the property’s rent. By law this must be protected in a government approved deposit scheme within 30 days of the start of the tenancy. We will organise the protection of your deposit and provide documentation of this for your records.

The check in stage: At the beginning of your tenancy we will provide you with an inventory for the property. This will outline the cosmetic condition of the property and its contents. We will ask you to confirm this is accurate and discuss any questions you may have regarding the condition of the property.

The checkout stage: Once your tenancy ends, we will use this document to reassess the condition of the property and discuss any changes with you. Once this assessment has taken place, we will award the deposit appropriately. If we see the need to take any charges from the deposit for any damage to the property this will be discussed with you whilst the deposit is still protected.

Ending your tenancy: The end of your tenancy will depend on your tenancy agreement. For a tenancy that was agreed for a specified length of time it is likely you will have known your exact end date from when you signed your agreement. For a tenancy that runs month by month and is usually known as a ‘rolling contract’ there will be a notice period that must be provided. This is the case for both you, the landlord (or us as property management) all parties needs to be informed that you will be vacating the property and for us or the landlord to notify you of a date you need to vacate the property.

Notice periods: Notice periods can be a month or two but will be specified when your tenancy agreement is signed.

Once notice is served or before your agreement comes to an end the property will usually be put back on the market. This will be done in enough time for us to find occupants to move in once your agreement has ended. This means we will offer viewings to prospective new tenants; therefore, we will ask you to keep the property tidy for us to do so. We will liaise with you to provide you with sufficient notice of viewings taking place.

Last date of tenancy: On your last day of your tenancy we will visit the property to go through the inventory with you and conduct a check out process. This is the point at which you will hand your keys back to us and you won’t be able to return to the property.

Refunding your deposit: We will then get in touch with you (usually within 10 days) to discuss returning your deposit. If there are deductions to be made from your deposit, there will be a procedure to follow. This procedure will be detailed on the website of the deposit protection scheme we have used.