How to Apply
Things You need to do before Renting
Making Rental Payments
Moving into the property
Repairs, Maintenance & Safety
Renewing your lease
Moving Out Of The Property
Providing reference details
Before you can draw up the Tenancy agreement we will need to take references. We have to satisfy the landlord that you are able to pay the rent. The following details will typically be required for a reference: your personal details; your address of last 3 years, your employment details; your banking details; your next of kin; and in some circumstances we will ask for a Guarantor to underwrite the rent. Typically this is the case when the tenant is a student, or only been employed for a short while, or is self-employed. A Guarantor has to be a homeowner, have a clean credit history, be in employment or in receipt of pensions. Your contact at e-lettings will explain more if necessary and make the appropriate arrangements.
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Deposit Protection Scheme
At the start of the tenancy E-Lettings take one month's rent as deposit and it is paid into the account of the Government authorised Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS at www.depositprotection.com). The deposit is secured with UK Government approved banks so your deposit is safe and secure.
E-Lettings will provide you with an inventory report at the start of the tenancy. This provides a record of the contents (such as small household appliances, crockery) and the general interior/large household appliances (e.g. fridge). An inventory report is done both at the beginning and end of the tenancy. If a landlord does not arrange an inventory we prepare a report called an Check-In Report. This records the general condition of each room (the walls, appliances, curtains, lighting etc) which will be compared against a report done at check out stage. These reports assist the E-Lettings in deciding whether or not any deposit should be retained.
E-Lettings and tenants can request the repayment of a deposit to the appropriate parties at the end of a tenancy – either jointly or independently, online or by calling us and requesting a paper form. When one party requests a repayment, the other needs to confirm whether they agree with the proposal, by completing an acceptance form – either online or by post. All deposits are repaid within 10 calendar days of the correctly completed acceptance form being received by The DPS.
The Landlord has the right to request deduction of monies for such things as arrears of rent, cleaning of the property not being done in accordance with the agreement, breakages etc. An independent and free Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service will aim to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action. Landlords, agents and tenants could also earn interest on any proportion of the deposit they are entitled to retain at the end of a tenancy.
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Paying the rent
Rent payments should be made on a monthly basis by standing order. If you experience difficulty paying rent at any time you must immediately notify E-Lettings.
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The Letting Agreement
You will be provided with a copy of the contract you sign, known as the Tenancy Agreement. The agreement used is called an assured shorthold tenancy. This entitles the Landlord to possession of the property at the end of the tenancy period. Normally the Tenancy period is for 6 months. Any notice has to be served in writing by the party giving notice. Your contact at E-Lettings will go through the Tenancy Agreement with you.
For reference, you'll be provided with a copy of this once both parties have signed. Generally the points you should note under the Tenancy Agreement are: The Tenancy Agreement is between you and the Landlord. All Tenants have joint and several liability under the Tenancy agreement. You are contracted to stay in the property for the duration stated in the Tenancy Agreement. The assured shorthold Tenancy agreement means that the Landlord has already served formal Notice to you to give up possession on the date stated in the Tenancy Agreement. Where a Guarantor has entered into an Agreement, in the event of the Tenant not meeting the obligations under the Agreement, the Guarantor would be liable to accept responsibility.
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Arranging Utilities
The arrangement in almost all cases is that the Tenant has to pay gas, electricity, telephone, water and local authority council tax. You should liaise with E-Lettings to obtain details needed to put services in your name. Telephone services must are best applied for at before moving into the property.
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Provision of keys
We will provide a set of keys for each tenant renting the property. Under no circumstances are locks to be changed by the Tenant without prior approval of the E-Lettings. Tenants must ensure they return all keys at the end of the tenancy period, otherwise a claim will be made and the deposit will pay for rent and replacing locks.
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Check-in procedures
Your contact at e-lettings will arrange to check you in to the property. At this stage a an inventory will be prepared to record the condition of the property. We ask you to sign this report to clarify that state of the property is as recorded. We ask the Landlord to ensure that the property is clean and tidy prior to you moving in. We also ask the Landlord leave you any instruction or appliance manuals in a binder for your reference.
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Repairs, Maintenance & Safety
Your safety under gas, furnishing and electrical regulations
The Landlord is obliged to make arrangements to ensure that the property is safe for you under gas appliances, furnishings and electrical regulations.
The Gas Safety Regulations 1994:
All gas appliances and associated pipe work must by law be maintained in a safe condition and be checked for safety at least every 12 months by a suitably qualified engineer. Before moving into the property, you must be handed a copy of the last record of inspection. Also, a record of these checks should be in the property. Similarly, instructions for these appliances should be in the property. Please let your Landlord know immediately if you feel that these conditions are not being complied with.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations:
Amongst other matters this Act requires that all furniture must have a label clearly showing that it is fire resistant. Any new or additional furniture being put into the property must also comply with these regulations.
Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1989:
Electrical appliances must be checked before you move in to the property.
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Renewing your lease
Some two months before the end of the lease, we will contact you to see if you would like to renew your tenancy. If you wish to stay on in the property we will make any necessary arrangements. Please appreciate that if you are not staying in the property we may wish to show it to other prospective tenants during your notice period. Your co-operation with this would be much appreciated.
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Moving Out Of The Property
To terminate your tenancy you must give notice as detailed in the tenancy agreement. At the end of the Tenancy you should ensure the property is well cleaned. You should make arrangements to take the utilities out of your name. Please note the section above about the return of your deposit from the Deposit Protection Scheme.
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