Entering into the world of renting can be a daunting experience for newbies or even seasoned renters. It’s a well-known fact that moving home can be one of the most stressful events to happen in your life, and we’re here to help you through it all every step of the way! From finding your perfect rental property and setting up all your utility bills on the day you move in, to dealing with necessary repairs and liaising with the landlord throughout your tenancy, we’ll be right behind you.
Here you’ll find the questions we most often get asked.
I’ve viewed a property with you and I’m interested, what happens next?
Great news. The next stage is that we agree your move in date and input your details onto our online portal where you will be prompted to create an account. Here you will be able to read a draft copy of your tenancy agreement, sign the basic terms and pay your holding deposit (equivalent to one week’s rent) whilst we begin referencing you.
How does the referencing work and what will you ask me?
It’s essential that you provide FOUR pieces of evidence
Proof of identity:
We need to check you are who you say you are and you have the right to live in the UK. A valid driver’s licence or passport will be sufficient but if you don’t have these we can accept other items and will advise you of the options.
Proof of income, employment, benefits, student income or savings:
You need to prove your monthly income and that you have enough funds to cover the rent. Your gross monthly income usually needs to be 2.5 times the monthly rent. We’ll need to see evidence of this and ask your employer to confirm your salary.
Residential history:
We want to check your current residential status. If you’re currently renting and named on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (ASTA) we’ll ask your landlord or agent to confirm the length of tenancy, whether rent was paid on time and if there are any planned deductions from your deposit due to losses, damage or dilapidations.
Permission for a credit check:
We’ll need to do a ‘soft check’ of your credit history. We’ll look for any adverse credit as well as evidence you live where you say you do. We’ll look through the electoral register or any credit agreements you may have entered into.
I’ve been asked to provide a guarantor, why?
If you have an adverse credit history, are new to renting or are unable to provide a landlord’s reference you might be asked to provide a guarantor.
What are the Guarantor’s obligations?
A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent or any damages if you can’t. Your guarantor will have to go through a similar referencing process, a credit check and they mustn’t have any adverse credit. Once the checks have been completed the guarantor will be notified of their legal obligations before they sign the guarantor agreement.
I’ve passed the referencing stage, now what?
Brilliant! You’re almost there! Next you’ll need to sign your tenancy agreement and deposit documents online then pay the remainder of your move in monies. All of this can be completed online and payment made by bank transfer or card payment.
What happens to my deposit?
We’ll lodge your deposit with the DPS Custodial Scheme where it will stay protected for the remainder of your tenancy.
What is a property inventory report and why have you sent me a copy?
This is a very important report. It clearly documents the condition and cleanliness of the property on the day you move in. If you find any discrepancies, please add your comments to the report online to ensure your full deposit is returned to you at the end of the tenancy.
What should I do if I am worried about something, have a question, or something breaks/doesn’t work in the property?
First of all, don’t panic! Being a tenant means you’ll always need a way to ask questions about your home, especially if it’s your first time renting. Just give us a call or send an email and we’ll get back to you. There’s no such thing as a ‘stupid question’, so please rest assured we’re here to help you throughout your tenancy and are not here just to collect the rent! If something accidentally gets damaged or something fails or doesn’t work, then get in touch, there’s a form especially for maintenance queries on our website.
