When looking to rent a property it can be daunting to understand what to do and who wants what! At Fairfield’s we like to help you understand what we will require and also what you can expect when applying to rent a property through ourselves! Please find below our tenants guide to renting with us. If you require any further information please feel free to contact us.
When You Find A Property:
The first step when you find a property you would like to rent through Fairfield Lettings is to make an offer. We will ask you to fill in a Tenant Application/Reference Form as we will need to know how many adults and children will occupy the property and if any are smokers, if you have any pets and other relevant information. We will put forward your situation to the landlord and if they agree we will advise you of the procedure for RESERVING A PROPERTY.
Reserving A Property:
References required - Each adult due to occupy the property will be asked to fill out a reference form and each will be independently referenced via a credit referencing agency, which usually takes up to 4 or 5 working days. We will notify you when the references comeback. If you have been issued with a county court judgment or have had any other adverse credit history in the last 3 years please let us know prior to referencing as this could automatically fail you. Reference fees will apply.
Guarantors – should your references come back unacceptable we will, subject to the landlord’s agreement to continue, need to ask you to provide a guarantor. We will need to reference the Guarantor. Reference fees will apply.
A Holding Deposit is required to secure the property subject to the Landlord's approval of your references. We also require photographic identification in the form of driving licence or passport for each adult together with your National Insurance Card/Number.
Tenancy Agreement:
If the references are accepted by the landlord we will prepare an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement on behalf of yourself and the landlord. Please note this is a legally binding document and we would ask you to read this carefully and ensure it is fully understood. We would advise that you have it checked by a Solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau and inform us of any questions you have. You will also need to sign a copy of the inventory on the day you move into the property if the landlord has provided us with one. We will provide details of who to contact in the event of any problems whilst you are in occupation.
Youre First payment (Deposit):
Your first month’s rent and one month’s deposit must be paid in advance in “cleared funds”. If the landlord accepts to lift restrictions relating to sharers, smokers or tenants with pets then a higher deposit may be taken to protect the landlord’s interest.
Monthly Rental Payments:
Your rent is due on the same date each month by standing order as stated in the Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. It is important you make payments promptly. The rent will need to come in one payment from one account.
Property Inspections:
They will be carried out throughout your Tenancy, either by your Landlord or your Agent. This is time for us to check the condition of the property, and also for you to advise us of any problems you may be encountering. We will write to you suggesting a particular time and day, giving approximately one week’s notice.
End Of Tenancy - Giving Notice:
To end the Tenancy you must give two month’s notice in writing. The Notice period must coincide with the date on which you pay rent. For example if you give us 2 months notice on 30 July and your rent is next due on 6th August your 2 month’s notice will run from 6th August and will expire on 6th October. When the final day for the Tenancy has been agreed we will arrange a meeting at the property for the final inspection. Normally this will include yourselves, the Landlord and an inventory clerk checking the property after all your belongings have been removed, and after the property has been cleaned. If there are any discrepancies with the property, these will be discussed immediately. Please remember we will need a forwarding address to arrange for your deposit to be returned. Deposits will be returned to you by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) and they cannot return deposits in cash.
Utility Services And Safety Regulations:
We will endeavour to contact the service company but you will need to contact the service companies for Gas, Electric, Water Rates and Council Tax. These companies must be notified of the date of commencement of the Tenancy and the names of all the Tenants. Meter readings, where appropriate, will be taken on the move in day. The companies are usually quite happy to accept a subsequent phone call notifying them of the meter reading. The same process is usually required at the end of the Tenancy. We ensure that all gas appliances are safety checked annually and you will be given a current certificate at the start of a tenancy. The electrical equipment must also be safe and we strongly recommend to our clients that the appliances are periodically checked by a qualified electrician. The furniture and furnishings must always comply with the safety regulations.
Inventory:
Subject to the landlords agreement a Professional Inventory will be organised prior to you taking up occupation at the property. On the date of commencement of the Tenancy the Inventory Clerk will attend the property with you to check the Inventory. He will supply you with this documentation and will be asked to sign to say that you are in agreement with it. At the termination of the tenancy the independent inventory clerk will visit the property to create a check out report. This service is at a cost to both parties and you will be advised of those costs before paying a holding deposit dependent on which property. This check out will be sent to you and your Landlord for consideration prior to the release of your deposit. Please note than an inventory is a vital document which protects your deposit.
Tenants Content Insurance:
A condition of the tenancy is that the Tenant holds insurance that the Landlord or his Agent considers adequate to the protect the Tenants personal possessions and accidental damage caused by the Tenant to the furniture, fixtures and fittings at the property belonging to the landlord as described in the inventory.
Landlord Clean or Professionally Cleaned?
Subject to the landlords participation we ask that all Landlords have their property cleaned for when you move into their property. The state of the property will be identified on the inventory. As a tenant you are asked to leave the property in the same state as at the commencement of the tenancy i.e. if it has been professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy you will have to have it professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy. Failure to do so will delay your deposit return as we will have to organise this on your behalf and deductions will have to be made from your deposit.
Call us now with any questions!
OXHEY OFFICE: 020 8428 0540
COVERING OXHEY, OXHEY HALL, SOUTH OXHEY, CARPENDERS PARK & WATFORD FIELDS
WATFORD OFFICE: 01923 237771
COVERING TUDOR & KNUTSFORD ESTATE, NORTH WATFORD, GARSTON & BUSHEY
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