GUIDE TO RENTING
Please read the UK Government’s Guide to Renting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent
FEES TO TENANTS
In line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019 Holloway Residential Limited do not charge any tenant fees.
BEFORE YOU MOVE IN
- Holding deposit to reserve a property (£100.00)
- Deposit (1 months rent minus the holding deposit)
- First months rent
DURING YOUR TENANCY
- Late payment of rent fee (If rent is over 14 days late) £30.00
- New locks or keys
- Early termination if requested by the tenant
Interest at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non payment of rent. This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy
All deposits are registered in the DPS deposit protection scheme
Deposit
One month’s rent is taken as a deposit and held during the tenancy as a safeguard against possible expense at the end of tenancy. For example, the property may need cleaning or repairs to any damage to the structure or contents caused by the tenants during occupancy.
This amount will be held in a Deposit Protection Scheme, for the duration of your tenancy, and will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy, once we have established that there has been no damage to the property.
Application
Once you have found a property you think is right for you and paid your deposit you will be required to fill out a straightforward application form. Information that you provide will be used to carry out various checks to ensure that you meet our requirements as a prospective tenant. Information that you will be asked to supply includes previous/current residential address, current/previous employer. There is no need to worry about the referencing process, it is a standard procedure that every applicant must undergo. The Application process typically takes anything between 3 – 5 working days. Our property management department will contact you as soon as referencing is complete to arrange a time and date to move in, collect your keys and sign the tenancy agreement.
Period of Tenancy
The most common tenancy offered is usually for a 6 month period and is known as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. If you want to stay longer than the initial six months you will be asked to renew your tenancy either for another 6 months or your contract will automatically switch into a periodic tenancy which means you are not committed to any further fixed term but you will be required to give one month’s notice should you want to end the tenancy. 12 month or longer tenancies can also be obtained if preferred.
Guarantor
A guarantor is needed for those tenants who have recently moved to the UK and therefore cannot provide previous traceable UK addresses, tenants not working in the UK, students, or for tenants whose annual salary does not satisfy the rental guarantee requirement of exceeding the property’s annual rent. A guarantor is usually a parent or relative that is willing to sign a consent form stating that should you default on the rent for whatever reason they are then liable for the outstanding amount. The guarantor must be a UK resident.
Should your application be successful and a move in date confirmed, we then require the first month’s rent to be paid on the date of the move in. This must be paid in cleared funds, for example debit/credit card, direct bank transfer, banker’s draft or cash. Cheques will not be accepted.
Move In & Check Out Procedure
A move in appointment will take place at the property on the day you collect your keys. This is where you will sign the tenancy agreement and other documents and pay your first month’s rent in advance. Please note that all the tenants/guarantors named on the tenancy agreement must be present when the move in takes place. Once you have a confirmed move out date, we will meet you at the property to check you out, receive the keys back and take meter readings. At this point we will advise you of any discrepancies with the property, and you then have your chance to point out any issues. Following a successful check out (property left in a good standard) and receipt of your finalised bills, we will then return your deposit as quickly as possible.
Rent
One month’s rent is required in advance and must be paid in full before the tenancy starts and before we hand over the keys. This amount must be paid in cleared funds and cheques will not be accepted. Rent is then to be paid on a monthly basis usually by Standing Order on each subsequent month. If you moved into the property on the 10th March your monthly rent will be due on the 10th of each month thereafter.
Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure your bank has set up a standing order correctly, to avoid missing your rent due date please check that the necessary mandate is in place, as this is something we are unable to do. You can do this by contacting your bank directly. Please Note: All late rent payments will result in a late payment charge being added to your account.
Identification
It is very important that you provide two different forms of Identification before we hand over the keys. One form of ID must show evidence of your name and must be a PHOTO ID such as a passport. The other form must be evidence of your current address, such as a utility bill. Please speak to a member of the team if you are unable to provide these documents. All forms of ID must be handed in before the referencing process takes place.
Inventory
You will be supplied with a detailed inventory upon your move in, you have 72 hours to check this and return it signed, with any discrepancies that you find. When the tenancy ends a check out report will be prepared in accordance with the inventory you signed at the start of the tenancy. The outcome of this check out report will determine how much of the deposit will be returned.
Inspections
Quarterly inspections will be carried out, this gives you the chance to raise any concerns or maintenance issues with your property manager. Any damage to the property will be documented with photographs and may affect the return of the deposit.
Maintenance and Repairs
As the tenant, you will be required to report any maintenance issues or necessary repairs that are required. These must be reported to us as soon as it comes to your attention. Failure to do so may result in us being unable to repair the problem in time before permanent damage is done. This may then result in part of your deposit being withheld.
Return of Deposit
The deposit is returned at the end of the tenancy. This is obviously dependent on the condition in which you leave the property upon departure. You must also provide documentation that shows all utility bills are paid up to date. Please be aware that it is not permissible for you to cancel your last month’s rent payment because we hold a security deposit. The deposit is legally a separate issue from rent payment and you will be in breach of your contractual agreement if you do this and it can lead to prosecution.
Utilities Charges
Most monthly rents are exclusive of utility charges; you will be directly responsible for any Gas, Electric & Water bills. At the start of each tenancy we will take and issue you with the current relevant meter readings, which need to be supplied to the utilities companies so they can set up your account and the property bills can be transferred into your name. It is also advisable that you contact the suppliers yourself to ensure the account is set up correctly as we rely on the postal service to get the notifications through to the utilities. This is highly recommended to avoid any serious problems of arrears arising. Remember it is a tenant’s responsibility to keep up-to-date with payment of bills.
Council Tax
We will notify the local authority of your residence at the start of your tenancy. They will then calculate your monthly council tax payment for which you are directly responsible. It is the tenant’s responsibility to make sure the council tax is paid on a monthly basis. Please contact the council for more information.
Telephone
If you require a telephone line you are required to register your own account with BT or whoever the provider may be. You can discuss this with BT by dialling 150 from the UK. It is your responsibility to terminate your account upon departure. If the line has never been connected it may be your responsibility to connect the line yourself.
TV License
You are directly responsible for the payment of the TV license at the property.
Insurance
You are advised to obtain contents insurance for your personal possessions.
If you are unsure of anything or have any questions please contact us.