Tenants Frequently Asked Questions

Once the tenancy has been signed and rents and deposits have cleared, the tenancy can proceed. You can now collect the keys to your new home.

You must consult us prior to obtaining a pet.  If you are viewing properties and you have pets, please ensure you let us know as some properties will not allow certain animals.

You must consult us prior to carrying out any changes to the property. We will contact the landlord and await his permission.  It is likely that acceptance will mean you must have a professional contractor carry out the work, and it may be an additional requirement that you put the room back to the original colour at the end of the tenancy.

The landlord of the property is responsible for insuring the building and any furnishings that are included in your tenancy. You will be responsible for insuring your own contents and your personal possessions that are stored within the rented property.  It is also advisable to have accidental damage added to your policy, just in case anything belonging to the landlord is damaged during the tenancy.  

No. You must use the property solely for residential purposes unless specifically agreed in advance, in writing.

If you find any problems with the property you are renting, you should contact us immediately. We have an online reporting system for this purpose.  Once we have been informed of any issues or faults, we will instruct the landlord and await their instruction.  Be aware that if you DO NOT report issues quickly and they subsequently get worse, you could be liable for the cost of the additional work to rectify the issue.

Once we receive your security deposit it will be transferred to the DPS (Deposit Prote tion Scheme) within 30 days of receipt.  The DPS will provide confirmation of receipt and details of the protection scheme, which we will provide to you with your moving-in pack of documents.  When the tenancy comes to an end it is up to the landlord to confirm any amount of money they feel should be deducted (if any) in order to return the property to the same condition as when you moved in (less fair wear and tear).  You must accept this amount before it can be awarded to the landlord.  In the case of any dispute over the deductions, the DPS will return any undisputed money plus interest to the relevant party but will hold onto the disputed portion.  The scheme will then use an Alternative Dispute Resolution Service (ADR) to decide what is fair based upon the documentation provided to them. Your deposit cannot be used to pay your rent.

Make sure you have a written tenancy agreement and read it carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities before you sign it. This is most likely to be an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) which gives you the protection of the Housing Act 1988 and all subsequent revisions.

When you enter an assured shorthold tenancy you are entering into a contractual arrangement.  This gives you some important rights as well as some responsibilities.  Take your time to read documents and contracts carefully. When you rent a home, people sometimes expect you to make a quick decision, or to sign documents before you’ve had time to think about them.  You shouldn’t feel forced into a decision and it is important to understand the terms and conditions of any contract you are agreeing to before you sign it.

If you have any concerns about the agreement, seek advice before you sign. If you are unhappy with the tenancy agreement, the Tenant Fees Act allows tenants to walk away from unfair terms without forfeiting the holding deposit paid.

A landlord is not legally bound to provide you with an inventory and schedule of condition for your rental property, however, they will be very unlikely to deduct any money from your security deposit at the end of the tenancy if they do not have this vital proof of how the property was when you moved into it.

The usual practice is to meet with your landlord, property manager or an inventory clerk at the very start of the tenancy, in order to agree on the inventory (or check-in report) before you move in.  This document will then form the basis for any negotiations regarding the condition at the end of the tenancy.  If you are happy with the inventory, sign it and keep a copy.  If you do not get any inventory documentation it would be wise to record each room or item on your mobile phone, camera or in writing.

Remember to take meter readings when you move in. Take a photo showing the meter reading and the date and time, if possible. This will help make sure you don’t pay for the previous tenant’s bills.  If the water meter is outside in the road you may have to run the taps in order to see which of the meters belongs to your property, alternatively call the Water Board to come and read the meter for you, although there may then be a dispute over payment from the end of the previous tenancy and the start of yours if it is unclear exactly what the reading was.

Make sure that you have the correct contact details for the landlord or the managing agent, including a telephone number you can use in case of an emergency. You are legally entitled to know the name and address of your landlord and this must be provided within 21 days of any request in writing.

If your property is being fully managed by the letting agent it is likely that you will not have any contact with your landlord during your tenancy.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs):  usually properties where three or more unrelated people share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Some HMOs must be licensed. Check that your landlord has the correct licence. Landlords of licensed HMOs must by law give tenants a statement of the terms on which they live in the property.  Be careful not to move additional occupants into your rental property without the express permission of your landlord, or this could make the property an HMO without the landlord knowing.

Selective licensing: some single-family dwellings may also need to be licensed. Selective licensing enables a local housing authority to require all landlords of privately rented housing in a designated area to obtain a licence for each individual property. It gives the local housing authority powers to inspect properties and enforce standards to address specific property issues.