Below is a step-by-step guide of the lettings process. Check out our FAQs for more useful information and our guide on Fees you will be expected to pay.
Determine your budget (see our affordability calculator) and search the property portals or Elliot Leigh Residential’s website for your next home.
Once you’ve found your ideal home, let us know and we can discuss and agree the terms of your tenancy with the Landlord.
We will then need you to undertake a reference check in order to reserve the property – these may include credit checks and personal references. In order to apply for references, you’ll need to put down a 1 week holding deposit, and will ensure the property is taken off the market.
Once you’ve passed your reference checks, we will take a deposit of 5 weeks rent, and then your first months rent in advance, whilst also signing your tenancy agreement.
Upon completion, you will be given a set of keys and if your property is managed we will provide you with your Property Manager’s contact details. We will issue you a welcome pack with the relevant certificates and an inventory of the property. We advise you to check this and let us know if there are any discrepancies as soon as possible.
We will write to you a couple of months prior to the end date of your tenancy to ask of your intentions – if you would like to extend it, or move out. Once this is known we can take the appropriate course of action.
We will undertake a final inventory/inspection at the end of your tenancy, whereby the property is checked for any damages, etc.
Should everything be satisfactory with the inventory/inspection, your deposit will be returned to you.
Fees
Below is a list of fees you may be expected to pay prior and during your tenancy. Before making a decision on your property, check out our affordability calculator.
1. Reservation of property – 1 weeks rent. If your offer is accepted this will be deducted from the total balance. If not, the payment is fully refunded.
2. Deposit – Five week’s rent (six week’s rent if the annual rent exceeds £50,000).
3.If you are late in paying your rent you may be charged interest on the rent outstanding if it is owed for more than 14 days at a rate of 3% over the Bank of England base rate.
4. Changes to the tenancy agreement will be charged at £60 plus VAT (£72 including VAT).
5. Administration fee for a Change of Tenant or Additional Tenant will be charged at £125 plus VAT (£150 including VAT).
6. If you leave or request to terminate the tenancy early, you will be liable to pay for any fees for re-letting and outstanding rent owed to the Landlord.
7. Other charges in addition to the above that are applicable to tenants where required under a tenancy agreement: Rent, payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence, council tax.
8. If you lose your keys or other security device you will be charged reasonable costs incurred by the landlord to replace these or the locks at the property.
Affordability Calculator
FAQ’s
You will need to pass a credit check, residential history check and provide employment references. If you feel you may struggle with the checks you can still rent through us. You just may need to pay additional rent in advance or have a UK guarantor. Speak to us for advice.
You can still rent with us. You may need to make an up-front rent payment of 6 – 12 months or speak to us for our recommended company guarantor for students.
Not all landlords welcome our furry friends. They may cause damage or be a nuisance to neighbours. Some leasehold properties also forbid them in the lease. However, with good previous references and an additional pet deposit (usually an extra 2 weeks rent) to cover any possible damages, your landlord may agree.
We would usually advertise whether the landlord is furnishing the property or not. Some landlords are flexible to both so please enquire to see what can be negotiated as part of the deal.
A break clause allows either the landlord or tenant to end the agreement early in writing, usually 6 months before the end of the tenancy. Without this you will need to wait until the end of the tenancy to move out, unless your landlord agrees to another tenant replacing you. This is to be agreed as part of the AST (contract) and communicated at the time of offer ideally.
In most cases, a tenant can only decorate or make changes to the property with the express permission of the landlord. We recommend receiving this permission in writing.
All utilities such as gas, electricity, water, telephone and council tax are the tenant’s responsibility, unless stated otherwise. When you move into the property we will provide you with a list of useful numbers to help you get set up with the relevant providers.
When you sign the Tenancy Agreement we will also ask you to complete a Standing Order form authorising your bank to pay your rent to us monthly on the appropriate date. This is by far the simplest way of paying your rent regularly without payments being missed through forgetfulness.
These FAQs are the most common questions we receive from tenants but we appreciate there could be many more!
Please contact us for any further enquiries.
