Tenant Information
Application Process
When you wish to apply for a tenancy you will need to complete our ‘Tenants Terms Conditions, Right To Rent Form and read ‘How to Rent Guide.’ (all documents on this page in a PDF format). We will then forward an online application form to complete to enable our referencing company to take up references for each adult who will be resident and any guarantor(s) if appropriate. We use an independent credit referencing company to make a decision on your financial suitability for the tenancy. By completing the application form you are giving consent to search your credit history. In the event of the credit search resulting in your application being refused, we will not be able to give you reasons. You will be able to obtain details of the information that resulted in the refusal by applying to the company who held the data and we will provide you with their address upon request.
Proof of Identity and Address
Proof of Identity and Address
For each applicant, we will require proof of identity, photo style driving licence or passport and proof of current address either utility bills or credit card/bank statement dated within three months, as per conditions of the right to rent checks.
Refund Policy
If the Landlord withdraws the property before the tenancy is signed then we will refund you the holding deposit.
If the application is unsuccessful or if you withdraw * then your application/holding deposit will not be fully refunded, reasonable costs incurred will be withheld OR if fails or misleading statements are made with your application.
* if you fail to take action requested by us in order to progress your application within a period of five working days this will be deemed as a withdrawn application.
Guarantor
A Guarantor promises to honour all of the terms of the tenancy except they will not reside at the property.
A suitable Guarantor should be a UK resident, have an acceptable income, provide proof of identification and their address and confirm their relationship to the prospective Tenant. They must complete a Guarantor application form and finally they must countersign the Tenancy Agreement.
Tenancy Agreement
An “Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement” is drawn up between the Landlord (not Andrew & Co Lettings) and you the Tenant. Your Tenancy will be for a minimum of six months, unless otherwise agreed.
If there are more than one Tenant then each person is liable for the whole rental commitment and not merely “their share”.
The Tenancy Agreement is an important document because it safeguards both your interests and those of the Landlord and sets out the legal basis of the tenancy.
Paying your Rent
Paying your Rent
Your rent will be payable monthly in advance *. When you sign the Tenancy Agreement, you will also be asked to sign a Standing Order mandate to pay the rent for the second month and thereafter. Please allow time for the funds to be transferred from your bank and cleared by our bank so that the payment arrives in time. This in turn enables us to pay the landlord promptly. If you experience any difficulty in paying your rent, or if you change bank accounts, please inform us immediately. This will enable us to agree on a plan of action that is also acceptable to the Landlord. *In certain circumstances your reference approval may only approve your tenancy subject to advance rent payment – Andrew & Co will advise you how to proceed under these circumstances by calling 01233 632383
Payments
We must have cleared funds at each stage in order to progress your application. We only accept direct bank transfers to our client account details of which will be supplied.
Holding Deposit
Payable at the point of application equivalent to 1 weeks pro rata rent. – to act as a holding deposit that will be taken off the move in costs following successful referencing and taken from the owed balance prior to the agreed tenancy start date.
Security Deposit
Security Deposit – Equivalent to FIVE WEEKS PRO RATA RENT payable at the point of signing the Tenancy Agreement, prior to any occupation, and refundable in full at the end of your tenancy providing all of the terms of tenancy have been met and the property is returned in a satisfactory condition in accordance with the Inventory. No interest will be paid on the security deposit. All deposits received will be protected in accordance with the legal requirements. Held and registered with the deposit protection service. The DPS, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE.
OR (ONLY IF SELECTED BY LANDLORD)
Deposit Replacement scheme (DRS) –
*The cost of the DRS is equivalent to 1 weeks rent *This will cover a maximum of 8 weeks rent for any breach of the tenancy agreement agreed by you or determined by an independent adjudicator. *You will reimburse DRS for the sum agreed, or the sum determined by an independent adjudicator in the case of a dispute.
We cannot permit entry to the property under any circumstances until the first month’s rent and the Security Deposit (or DRS in place) have been paid in full.
Inventory and Condition Report
Inventory and Condition Report
You will be asked to check and countersign the Inventory and Condition Report. If you do not draw any amendments to our attention within 7 days of receipt of the report at which point the inventory will be held to be binding.When you vacate the property the Inventory will be checked and a note made of all changes in condition. Where changes are as a result of your misuse, neglect or accidental damage then a charge will be made against your Security Deposit or DRS. This will be the cost of repair or replacement of the item or to provide the Landlord with equivalent value cash compensation.
Insurance
Your personal possessions will not be insured under the Landlord’s policy and you should arrange your own insurance against damage, theft and loss.
The policy you select should also provide cover against you causing accidental damage to the Landlord’s fixtures and fittings (minimum sum insured £3,000). This significantly reduces the risk to your Security Deposit.
You may be asked to produce proof of a suitable policy being in force when you sign the tenancy agreement. We can recommend a good value policy – please ask our local office for details.
Legal Representations
We offer the property based on representations made in good faith that the Landlord:
- Has legal title to the property;
- Has permission to let from the Freeholder, head leaseholder and mortgage lender;
- Has informed the building insurer of the letting;
- Will have arranged for a gas safety certificate to be in force (if there is gas at the property) at the start of the tenancy;
- Has taken steps to ensure that the electrical installations and equipment are safe to use and that the furnishings comply with fire safety regulations.
Any verbal representation regarding the property or its contents must be confirmed in writing to ensure no confusion. Extraordinary requirements or special conditions attached to the application must be negotiated and agreed prior to the Tenancy Agreement being signed otherwise the property will be regarded as “let as seen”
Property Inspections
It is a requirement within our Landlords terms of business for us to inspect the property within approximately the first three months of your tenancy and at least every 6 months thereafter. You will receive reasonable notice of the inspection date and time, to be mutually agreed. We aim to keep disruption to an absolute minimum therefore if you are unable to be present at these inspections we can access the property with our management keys.
The aim of the inspection is to confirm that the property is being kept in good order and to identify any actions needed either by you or by the Landlord in accordance with the terms of the Tenancy Agreement.
At the end of the inspection our Property Inspection Report will be sent to the Landlord for their perusal and instructions.
Repairs and Maintenance
Repairs and Maintenance
Please notify us immediately if any urgent repairs or maintenance are needed. We use professional tradesman to ensure a high standard of workmanship and prompt service. You do not always have to be present when work is undertaken. With your prior agreement, we will arrange for access to the property. If a genuine emergency (e.g. leaking roof) arises outside of office hours (e.g. weekends or bank holidays) and urgent attention is needed then you should telephone our out-of-hours number at the first opportunity.
Renewing or Terminating your Tenancy
If you wish to renew your Tenancy Agreement, please give us as much notice as possible before the expiry of the fixed term (at least one month). We will take the Landlord’s instructions and if they are acceptable then a fresh Tenancy Agreement will be drawn up for a further fixed term. Once the new Agreement has been signed, we reserve the right to erect a ‘Let’ board at the property for 14 days.
If you wish to terminate your Tenancy Agreement, you must give the Landlord at least one month’s notice in writing, which must expire on the last day of the fixed term. The Landlord is required to give you two months notice if they wish to terminate the tenancy.
Moving out Checklist
You must:
- Clean the property
- Tend to any garden
- Return all the keys
- Cancel your rent standing order mandate
- Read the meters and notify the suppliers
- Confirm details of utility suppliers to Andrew & Co
- Re-direct your mail
- Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries
Andrew & Co will:-
- Inspect the property ( Only if fully managed)
- Notify the Council Tax Authority
- Refund your Deposit (or adjust accordingly)
Leaving the Property Early:
If you need to leave the property before the expiry of the fixed term (which is normally a minimum of 12 months), you will have to pay the rent and all other outgoings until any new tenant is in occupation or until the expiration of any remaining tenancy period.
If you leave under these circumstances, you will be charged a re-arrangement fee that the landlord incurred at the commencement of the tenancy. This will be requested to be with us before we commence marketing but only becomes payable when a new tenancy has been arranged.
Customer Service
We aim to treat Tenants as valued customers.
If you believe that you have a grievance, please write to Andrew & Co at the following address: 5 Kings Parade, Ashford, Kent TN24 8TA. The grievance will be acknowledged, investigated thoroughly and a reply sent to you within 10 working days.
We wish to ensure that you enjoy living in the property and that the tenancy runs smoothly.
Please look after the property, pay the rent on time and notify us promptly of any problems that arise.
We are here to help and we aim to conduct fair and reasonable business relationships with our tenants.
Andrew & Co are members of The Property Ombudsman Scheme and National Federation of Property Professionals Client Money Protection Scheme.