1. To reserve a property you have viewed, a
reservation deposit of £100 will be
required to hold the property, otherwise we will
continue advertising and showing the property to other prospective
tenants. Please note that the reservation deposit is per
person for sharers/students.
2. In order to take a property you must have
been in FULL TIME, PERMANENT employment for a minimum of
six months and earn at least 2.5 times the annual rent (pro
rata for sharers). If you do not meet these requirements
you may need a Guarantor (who must earn 3.5 times the annual
rent) or pay six months rent in advance. There are a few
exceptions to this rule, if you are unsure please ask a
member of staff.
3. ID and proof of residency at your current
address will be required. ID: passport or modern driving
licence with photograph. Proof of residency: utility bill
less than three months old or driving licence. If you are
a foreign national, a copy of your passport and any relevant
work permits will be required.
4. Within 4 working days of the deposit being
received, the application forms must be fully completed
and returned to our office by all adults who wish to take
up the tenancy. We will apply for your references. This
process, using an authorised and completely independent
company, will usually take a few days.
5. If your application is successful we will
require the following to be paid by debit/credit card, bankers
draft or building society cheque prior to occupation:
*One months rent
*Returnable bond (equivalent
to 125% of one months rent, eg. Rent £500 = bond £625)
*Arrangement fee of 30%
of one months rent plus VAT
(The reservation deposit
will be deducted from the total due.)
6. We reserve the right, without explanation
and at any time before referencing, to refuse a tenancy
on certain or all of the properties on our books. Our decision
will be final and binding and your reservation deposit will
be refunded.
7. Should you decide, for whatever reason, not
to proceed after the references have been applied for, or
should your application fail as a result of referencing,
the reservation deposit will be retained to cover our administration
costs.
8. An Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement will
be drawn up for the agreed fixed term (usually 6 months).
ALL named tenants must sign the tenancy agreement and ALL
monies must be paid in full prior to keys being released.
Please note you are bound by the rules of the agreement
for that fixed term, therefore, you are not able to terminate
the agreement early unless otherwise agreed with the Landlord
and the Agent. Should you wish to vacate the property at
the end of the fixed term, you must give us one calendar
months notice from your final rent date, in writing. Should
you wish a new Fixed Term Agreement to be drawn up at the
end of the initial fixed term, there will be a renewal fee
of £50.00 + VAT.
9. On the day of moving into your property you
will be given at least one set of keys. Any additional keys
required will be cut at your expense and must be handed
back to Letters when the property is vacated.
10. Rent payments will be due, in advance, by
standing order each month on the date your tenancy commenced.
Please ensure rent payments are received promptly and in
full. An administration fee of £15 plus VAT will be
charged for every letter sent regarding rent arrears. If
rent payments are returned unpaid, an administration fee
of £25 plus VAT will be charged on each occasion.
If you do not pay your rent, debt collectors may be instructed
and you will be responsible for any charges made for collecting
the debt.
11. In the case of a joint tenancy, all signatories
are jointly and severally liable for the full amount of
the rent. Should arrears be accrued by one tenant, all tenants
are liable for the debt.
12. An inventory is drawn up for all properties
managed by Letters. You will be provided with 2 copies of
the inventory at the start of your tenancy, one copy to
be signed and returned to Letters within 7 days noting any
amendments. If a signed copy of the inventory is not returned
it will be deemed that you have agreed with its contents.
The original inventory will then remain on file and will
be used at the final inspection.
13. When you leave a property, a Letters representative
will attend after you have vacated to conduct a final inspection.
You will be advised of any deductions to be made in respect
of undue wear & tear, cleaning etc. All keys must be handed
over at this time otherwise rent continues to be payable.
All contents must be placed back in their original position.
A charge will be made for any time incurred looking for
incorrectly placed items and/or re-inspecting a property.
14. Bonds, less any deductions necessary, will
be returned as soon as possible. However, should it be necessary
for Letters to replace items, arrange cleaning, or if there
has been a breach of the tenancy agreement, the return of
your deposit will be delayed until all items are costed
and replaced/cleaned.
15. During the tenancy all queries, complaints,
notification of breakages, observations and comments on
the condition of the property and its contents should be
made directly to Letters. The Landlord should not be contacted
directly (except in the case of non managed properties).
16. Tenants are advised that, unless otherwise
agreed, they are liable for all payments in respect of gas,
electricity, water, TV licence and all other utilities supplied
to the property. By law tenants must register for Council
Tax no matter how short the intended duration of the tenancy.
17. Occasionally disclosure of personal information
will be required to a third party ie council tax department,
utility company or debt collectors. Copies of your references
may also be passed on to your landlord. Your details will
not be passed on for any marketing purposes.
18. Letters reserve the right, without explanation
and at any time to refuse to provide a reference. Our decision
will be final and binding.
19. Tenants are reminded that they are responsible
for arranging contents insurance to cover their own possessions
and they should cover themselves for accidental damage to
their landlord's possessions.
20. If the property is a "non-managed" property
you will be given your Landlord's details on the day your
tenancy commences. Thereafter, Letters are not responsible
for the tenancy and you must contact your Landlord direct
with regard to all matters including rent payments. Your
bond is held by your landlord, at termination you should
contact your landlord with regard to the re-payment.
(amended 16.11.06)
HomeLet offer a range of policies, leaflets are available
in the office if required.
