GUIDANCE NOTES FOR TENANTS

• References and investigations
• Deposits
• Rent
• Tenants Obligations
• Pets
• Payment of Utilities
• Council Tax
• Inspections
• Insurance of contents
• End of Term
• Summary

REFERENCES AND INVESTIGATIONS

Having viewed the property and arrived at a decision to make application to rent you will be required to provide the following on the application form:-

Personal details relating to each applicant ranging from name and address to occupation and salary. You will be asked to provide financial, employer and character references as we can only agree to a tenancy subject to satisfactory replies from those referees. Our investigations may also include a search of the credit registers to establish your financial credibility. This is not meant as a possible doubt in relation to your character and financial situation, but seeks to establish that, in all respects, an applicant is suitable and satisfactory.

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DEPOSITS

Given satisfactory replies to enquiries you will be offered the tenancy of the property subject only to the terms of the Tenancy Agreement, payment of deposit and one months rent in advance unless you are advised of special circumstances in writing.

The deposit will be safeguarded under the Tenant Deposit Scheme by The Deposit Protection Service. The deposit required acts as security for the performance of your obligations as a tenant under the Tenancy Agreement. At the end of the tenancy term you will be required to provide receipted final invoices for all utility accounts and return the property clean and without damage. The Deposit Protection Service will then return your deposit subject to any dilapidation or deductions that may be necessary to compensate the landlord for any breach of the Tenancy Agreement. Dilapidation means damage or breakage of the landlord's fixtures, fittings and effects, inventory items lost etc., which occur during the period of the tenancy. It is important, therefore, that you look after the property during the tenancy and take the utmost care to inspect the property and its fixtures and fittings at the outset.

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RENT

We require rent to be paid by standing order into our clients rent account, to be received by the due date each month. You will be required to complete and sign a standing order mandate. If you experience difficulties please let us or the landlord know early. In the case of there being more than one tenant, each tenant is jointly and severally responsible for the whole rent so they are equally liable for the non-payment of rent by one of their co-tenants should they fail to pay. With a Fixed Term Tenancy Agreement you have the responsibility for the payment of the rent for the full term. If, therefore, you wish to vacate the premises prior to the end of the term, you will be responsible for the rent for the balance of the term. Late rent payments (in excess of two weeks) without authorisation from the landlord will result in notice being issued.

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TENANTS OBLIGATIONS

We have mentioned your obligations under the Tenancy Agreement. It is, therefore, important that you carefully read such tenancy agreements, and to this end a copy of our standard agreement will be provided on request.

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PETS

Pets are not allowed in any property except with the written permission of the landlord.

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PAYMENT OF UTILITIES

You are responsible for the payment of all utilities (gas, electric etc) during the tenancy and for the payment of final bills. We will provide you with the necessary applications for supply and assist in such applications where references are required. At the end of your tenancy we will require copies of receipted final invoices for all utility accounts

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COUNCIL TAX

We will inform the Council Tax Registrar of your change of address and you are required by law to pay the council tax charged on the property you are renting.

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INSPECTIONS

The landlord, or ourselves acting as the landlord's agents, will want to inspect the property during the tenancy
Inspection of the premises is primarily undertaken to insure that you, as the tenant, are in all respects observing the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement, though this is not the only consideration of management. It further allows for you to discuss any problems which might be experienced relating to the property. If you have any problems of maintenance or repair please notify the landlord or us immediately in order that action can be taken to minimise any discomfort or interruption of your enjoyment of the property at the earliest time.

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INSURANCE OF CONTENTS

The landlord has the responsibility for insuring his contents against theft, fire etc. We would recommend that you insure any contents that you may introduce to the property and if the premises are furnished to a high degree it may be a wise precaution to insure the landlord's furniture, fixtures and fittings as quite often damage to expensive items might not be covered by the deposit, resulting in court proceedings to recover money to recompense the landlord.

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END OF TERM

At the end of the tenancy preparations should be made to hand back the property on the due date. Arrange readings of all meters and ensure that the authorities have your forwarding address for the payment of all invoices raised. In no circumstances should you allow the authorities to disconnect the supplies.
Inventory items should be replaced in their respective rooms to facilitate easy checking on the handing over. Read carefully the inventory and statement of condition at this time, wash curtains, carpets, etc., and generally prepare the property for that final inspection.
Once checking has been completed and dilapidation (if any) agreed, the deposit or balance of deposit will be returned to you.

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SUMMARY

These notes are intended to provide only a summary to assist you to understand and realise the obligations undertaken when you wish to rent a property from a private landlord. It is not the intention to give an authoritative interpretation of the law, only the courts can do that.

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