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TENANT GUIDE TO LETTING.

Expert tenant advice...

The Process...

Step 1

FINDING A PROPERTY
Step 2

SECURING A PROPERTY
Step 3

CREDIT AND REFERENCE CHECKS
Step 4

THE DEPOSIT
Step 5

TENANCY AGREEMENT
Step 6

SAFETY REGULATIONS AND INSURANCE
Step 7

MOVING IN DAY
Step 8

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
Step 9

THE NEXT STEP

Step 1

FINDING A PROPERTY

As a tenant it is vital that you choose a landlord and letting agent that you can trust.

As a licensed member of Association of Renting Letting Agents (ARLA), Abode operate under strict standards of professional and ethical practice with complete transparency so you can avoid unwelcome fees or legal hiccups throughout your tenancy.

Narrow your search

When you start the search for your ideal home it is worth considering your requirements:

  • Think about the location you'd like to live in
  • Consider your 'must have' list- what do you really want?
  • What's your budget? Would you pay more for the right property?
  • How long do you need the accommodation for? Is it a stop gap or a long term solution?
  • When would you like to move in? Work backwards and start your search around six to eight weeks before this

 

Our top tip:Budget carefully - allow for council tax and the cost of all utilities, which you'll normally have to pay for.

Step 2

SECURING A PROPERTY

The rental market moves much faster than the sales market so if you see the perfect property, you may have to act quickly to secure it.

We recommend always being prepared with the relevant documents such as a form of identification and confirmation of your address.

Once you have found the right flat or house you'll need to put a reservation fee down to state your intention. With Abode, there is a reservation fee of £500 or £1,000 payable at this stage, this will be taken into account and deducted from the remainder of the money you'll pay (48 hours before you move in).

You will need to provide proof of your "Right to Rent" under the immigration act.

Step 3

CREDIT AND REFERENCE CHECKS

At Abode we take care to ensure we select the best landlords for the best tenants. That means good quality homes that are well maintained and tenants that take care to respect our properties and pay their rent.

Referencing criteria

  • Three years' address history
  • Landlord details for any property rented in the last three years
  • Confirmation of earnings per annum that are equal to the monthly rental fee multiplied by 30
  • If you're retired, then your (joint) pension per annum will also need to equal 30 times the monthly rental
  • No adverse credit in the form of a county court judgment, bankruptcy order or similar
  • If you're self-employed, either an accounts reference or to provide evidence of the last three years' tax return

Step 4

THE DEPOSIT

Once the deposit is paid in full, the property is secured. This deposit is held as the landlord's cover for any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy.

At Abode we register all deposits in the DPS scheme. On handover you will receive a reference number and details of how you can access your account.

Step 5

TENANCY AGREEMENT

A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are adhered to.

All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. This may include such responsibilities as; you must tell your landlord if you are going away for longer than 14 days, you must not use the property as a business.

Our top tip: The date on which the contract starts will become your rent's due date. You're unable to change this at a later stage, so please do bear it in mind when you reserve a property.

Step 6

SAFETY REGULATIONS AND INSURANCE

Safety

If you chose a licensed lettings agency such as Abode, it is our duty to keep up-to-date with the latest lettings industry legislation. That means we can advise all our landlords on their legal responsibilities for keeping their tenants safe from harm, by making sure their property and its contents (if furnished) meet the UK's legal safety standards.

Insurance

Tenants often overlook the need to take out contents insurance when renting a property. Abode offer a comprehensive insurance policy.

Step 7

MOVING IN DAY

At Abode, when the landlord accepts your offer, your lettings consultant will put all the details together and personally hand it over to our dedicated Move Management team. They will call you to confirm all the arrangements and will draw up your tenancy agreement and other important documentation.

You'll also be issued with a 'moving in' invoice for payment at least 48 hours from the moving in date. This includes:

  • First month's rent.
  • Deposit- equal to one and a half month's rent.
  • Future rent payments will be made monthly and taken by direct debit in advance - we'll give you all the forms to complete.

With your references, paperwork and invoices complete, it's time to move in!

Your keys will be available to collect either at our local branch or at your check in appointment from either the landlord or inventory clerk- dependant on the service level your landlord has selected.

Remember to inform your utilities provider and the local council of your move. The inventory

The inventory is a detailed list of the contents and condition of the property at the point that you move into it. By both parties agreeing that the inventory is correct at the start of the tenancy, any risk of disputes at the end of the tenancy will be minimised. We recommend therefore that you thoroughly check the inventory before you sign. At Abode Premier and Managed service, an Independent Inventory Service will prepare this document for the landlord.

Step 8

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS

Property Inspections

The property you are renting is a large investment for your landlord, so they will arrange visit days to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year. Of course, if anything breaks down or needs repairing then the landlord will visit the property more often to ensure the property maintains in good condition for you to live in.

Your Property Manager

If your property is professionally managed by us, you'll receive a welcome call within 48 hours from your designated Property Manager, who will be your main point of contact during the course of your tenancy. They will advise you on any maintenance issues and if action is needed either by yourself or the landlord- depending on whether the issue is a long term fault or through 'wear-and-tear'.

A managed property will also receive regular inspections visits (carried out by your property manager) which will generate photographic reports. Both you and your landlord will receive copies of the report, so that everyone is aware of the property's current condition and disputes can either be avoided or easily resolved

Step 9

THE NEXT STEP

Once you are nearing the end of your tenancy period you will need to decide whether to extend your stay or move out (remembering to give two months' notice in writing).

  • Staying put

    If you do want to renew the tenancy, we will liaise with you directly and send you all the necessary paperwork to complete. If your circumstances have changed, some new checks may be needed, but this will be advised on at the time.

    Our top tip: Remember the landlord at this stage will be within his/her rights to serve notice on your tenancy if they need the property back or there have been any persistent issues.

  • Moving out

    If we manage the property on behalf of the landlord, we'll arrange a check out with an independent inventory company (carried out on the last day of your tenancy) to ensure the property is left in an appropriate condition - at this point, you'll hand back the keys. If the landlord manages the property, you'll need to liaise with them directly in order to arrange a time and date to meet there, complete a check out and hand the keys back.

    Deposit

    After serving your notice you'll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.

    Pardoning normal wear-and-tear, if the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, getting your deposit back should be no problem.

    Here's what to do next:

    • Give the property a thorough clean, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture (if necessary hire a professional cleaner)
    • If it's your responsibility, tidy up the garden and clear away any rubbish
    • Return all of the keys
    • Remove all of your personal belongings

    If you need any help either before after your tenancy call us and we'll be happy to help.

FAQS

To find out in more depth about Letting then use our guide.

In there you'll find some of the common questions, such as how to start the selling prgress, timescales, fees ect.

Please click here to download our FAQS guide.

GOT A QUESTION?

If you have any questions about Renting a property, How to get started, costs involved, current properties to Rent we have available or anything else then please click here to chat Live with one of our experienced Lettings staff members.

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