Renting with Sales and Lettings
To help you get started on the journey to your next new home, we’ve put together our quick guide to renting.
Getting Started
Rental property is always in high demand so we recommend beginning your search at least 5-6 weeks prior to your preferred moving date.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any new listings, register your requirements with our rental team so that we can email you properties as soon as they become available.
What do you need to provide us with?
To start the rental process off, we will need to know a few details of anyone who intends to move into the property, including anyone who will be sharing the lease, children and pets. We will require information such as, full names, current residential addresses and proof of ID.
We will also need to know if you or any other persons on the lease be claiming housing benefits? We do not use this information to discriminate against benefit claimants; we simply need to ensure that the correct financial arrangements are in place and if necessary, that you would be able to provide a homeowner as guarantor.
Your budget
It is vital that you make sure that renting is a realistic and affordable option for you. You will need to take into account day to day living costs and bills when planning your budget, and not over stretch yourself when considering how much rent you can afford to pay.
Finding your new home
Once you are confident that renting is the right option for you, we’re ready to help you to find your ideal next new home.
We will establish with you your exact requirements and start sending you details of properties that we think will match your criteria. When you identify a property you are interested in, we will arrange for you to view the property.
Secure your rental property
Once you have found a property you would like to rent, you will be required to place a holding deposit of 1 week’s rent. This will allow us to take the property off the market and prevent any other prospective tenants renting it.
Holding Deposits are non-refundable if you withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide false or misleading information, or fail to sign your tenancy agreement within 14 calendar days.
However, holding deposits are deducted from your security deposit when you take on your new tenancy.
Once all referencing has been carried out and you are ready to sign your Tenancy Agreement you will be required to pay a Security Deposit.
Security Deposits are usually equivalent to 6 weeks rent (less the holding deposit) and are registered securely with a Tenant Deposit Scheme (TDS). This deposit is to cover any potential damages or defaults caused during your tenancy.
Referencing
As part of our legal and landlord responsibilities, we are obliged to carry out due diligence and ensure that the necessary referencing is carried out for each and every named tenant on the agreement.
For this to be completed, you will be required to provide the following:
Right to Rent Evidence.
Documents accepted:
- A UK passport
- An EU/EEA passport or identity card, permanent residence card
- Travel documents showing indefinite leave to remain.
- A visa if applicable.
- A Home Office immigration status document or a certificate of registration/naturalization as a British citizen
- 3 years’ history of employment and residential addresses
- A reference from your previous landlord
- A reference from your current employer
- Bank statements and payslips (3 to 6 months)
Let Agreed
Once all the referencing has been successfully completed, we move to the Let Agreed stage. It’s now time to complete the final paperwork before your tenancy can start.
Tenancy Agreement
The next step is to draw up a tenancy agreement. This legally binding document outlines all the exact terms of the contract between you and your landlord.
Our Lettings team will provide both you and your landlord, a copy to check and sign before the tenancy can begin. You will both receive a fully signed tenancy agreement.
Inventory
An inventory is a detailed record of all contents and the condition of the property.
On moving in day or just prior, we will arrange for a check-in clerk to meet you at the property and go through the inventory contents and log anything missing, damaged or in need of attention. When you are happy that the inventory is accurate, both you and the clerk will sign off the document and a copy will be provided to you and your landlord.
During Mid-term and end of tenancy inventory inspections, this document will be used as a reference point to identify any changes of condition and missing or damaged items.
Moving in day and time to collect the keys to your new home
It’s the big day and we can now hand over the keys and you can move into your new home.
Our lettings team will arrange with you a convenient time for you to either collect your keys from our office or hand them over at the property.
Congratulations and welcome to Sales and Lettings tenant family!
Chargeable Fees
- Late / Unpaid Rent – 3% interest
- Interest is payable at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate on late or unpaid rent from the Rent Due Date until paid in full.
- NB: Interest will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.
- Lost Keys and Security devices - From £15
- Tenants are liable for the cost of replacing any lost keys or security devices.
- If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant.
- Change of Tenancy Sharer - £50
- If you need to add or remove any person from your tenancy agreement, a standard charge of £50 inclusive of VAT will apply per person.