determine your criteria
Before you start looking for the right property, first consider what your priorities are - location, number of bedrooms, size of lounge etc and match them against your available budget. Using a rent affordability calculator will help you to do this.
You can then start looking for the right property that meets your criteria. You can register online with us for property updates or find the office that covers the area. Setting up an online account is a great way to ensure that as soon as any property comes up that matches your criteria you are immediately notified.
start your search
Once you have found a property that you are interested in get in touch with the office to arrange a suitable time for you to view the property.
our staff are fully trained in helping you find the perfect home so the more information you can give them to explain exactly what you are looking for and what is on your wish list will assist them in helping you to find ‘home’.
agree to rent
Once you have chosen a property that you would like to rent you should notify the agent quickly that you would like to rent it out. From a finance perspective make sure that you consider how much the deposit is and any agent fees that may apply. The agent must advertise their fees on their website & be able to provide you with a breakdown if you ask. At this stage you will normally be asked to pay an administration fee, holding deposit or something similar.
The referencing process then begins and as a minimum will include:
● References from your current landlord and employer
● Credit checks
● Providing identification of who you are
In some circumstances you may be asked to provide a guarantor. The same reference checks are then carried out for your guarantor as were done for you.
tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement is then drawn up which details all of the legal and contractual obligations that both you and your landlord must adhere to. It is important that you are familiar with the agreement before you sign it so make sure that you ask for a draft agreement when your application is accepted.
The security deposit and the first rental payment is then taken. It is a legal requirement that the tenancy deposit is registered with a Government approved deposit scheme after it has been paid.
Before you move in the estate agent or the Landlord may have had an inventory prepared. This document describes the condition of the property and anything left behind by the landlord. The inventory is used when you leave the property to ensure that the condition that you leave it in can be fairly assessed against any deposit deductions that may come up.
It may be that the estate agent or Landlord have not prepared an inventory and in this instance it is advisable for you to take photo’s and make notes on the condition of the property when you move in, especially highlighting any defects in the property and send this to the estate agent or Landlord to cover yourself against any deposit deductions when you decide to leave.
Insurance - your landlord is responsible for insuring the building and their possessions but you may want to take out your own contents insurance.
moving in
When the paperwork’s done and your deposit and first month’s rent are paid, the only thing left is to move into your new home.
We’ll arrange for you to pick up the keys. If an inventory has been instructed you will usually get them from the inventory clerk, who’ll do the inspection at the same time.
The inventory lists every item in each room of the property, so it can be checked for losses or damage when you move out.
welcome to your new home!
moving out
When you move out, the property and its contents will be assessed and compared to the initial inventory and subsequent inspection reports. The results will be reported back to both the landlord and you. The expectation is that the property is left in the same condition in which it was let to you - allowing for Fair wear and tear.
Within 10 working days of the tenancy ending, any deductions from the tenancy deposit should be agreed. The formalities of how and when the deposit is returned will depend on the provider that protects the deposit.
