Renting your next home is an exciting prospect and we’ll do all we can to help you find the ideal property.
When you register with us, please be as specific as you can about the sort of property you’re looking for, the locations you are interested in, how long you’d like to stay and any other details about your requirements or situation.
We know it’s annoying being contacted about unsuitable properties, so giving us all this information upfront will help us accurately identify the right homes to show you.
Finding the right property
OK, so you’ve had the viewing and you know this is your match made in property heaven. What next?
Always let us know what you think and feel! If you love it, tell us you love it. We want to make sure it's right for you, and that it's right for the landlord. We would like to know how long you would like to stay and we will need to know certain other things, like what is your employment situation and who will be living at the property.
We will need to tell the landlord a bit about you, and the more you can give us, the better the landlord will feel about you as a tenant. Let's get the best scenario for everyone!
Holding deposits
If the landlord accepts your offer, we’ll ask you for a holding deposit of one week’s rent. As soon as we receive this all viewing activity on the property will be suspended. The holding deposit is a gesture of trust and is non-refundable in the event that you choose not to go ahead, but is refundable if the landlord decides not to rent the property to you.
Fees
We do not charge tenants fees for renting a property through us. Although there are some instances where a tenant will need to pay a fee. For example, in the event of a change in occupants requiring further referencing and an amended tenancy agreement we will charge fees. We will also ask tenant to cover costs if they request to leave the tenancy early. This is to ensure the landlord isn't left out of pocket if you need to break the agreement (this needs to be pre-agreed with all parties). Another example of a tenant fee is for the replacement of tenant lost keys. This will fall to the tenant and you can find these fees on our tenants fees document.
Referencing
Next is referencing. We will need to confirm the following as a minimum;
- Your identity
- Your place of work
- Your earnings and those of other adults responsible for the rent
- If you have any adverse credit
- That you have permission to live in the UK
- That you are not subject to any immigration controls.
You should let us know at the start if you have any unsatisfied CCJ or bankruptcies: these may affect your application but we will ask the landlord before the full referencing process begins to save wasting anybody’s time. You will need to provide a photographic ID together with evidence of Right to Rent in the UK, your earnings and your current address.
Guarantors
If you have a low income or want to live in an expensive property, you may need a guarantor. Any guarantor needs to be a homeowner with a clean credit history and/or be in full time employment with take home earnings of at least 3x the monthly rent. The guarantor should understand their obligations as they will be signing a legally binding document agreeing to certain conditions including paying the rent if you are unable to.
Tenancy agreements
The tenancy agreement is the legal document that details your rights and obligations as tenants, the obligations and expectations of your landlord, and the agreements made by all parties. It sets out the core terms and includes all the rules of the property. We will give you a copy of the draft tenancy agreement well ahead of the start date of the tenancy so you are clear what you are signing. Please feel free to ask us about anything in the agreement that you are unsure of. Tenancy Agreements are digitally signed through DocuSign.
Security deposits
Before you move in, you will need to pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent as well as your first months rent. Your security deposit protects the landlord against loss of rent, or to pay for any damages caused by you. By law, your security deposit must be protected in a Government approved deposit scheme within 30 days from the start of the tenancy. Let.Buy.Laura uses the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme).
Inventories
We draw up inventories for every tenancy and these are a formal way of noting the cosmetic condition and contents of a rented property. This descriptive information is accompanied by good quality photographs. After the inventory has been taken, a supporting document is given to all parties to sign at the beginning of the tenancy to confirm its accuracy. Please check it carefully and question anything that you don’t understand. At the end of the tenancy, the same document is used to compare the state of the property and to determine the return of your security deposit.
Ending a tenancy
There are strict timescales involved in ending a tenancy. This starts from the date notice is served, which is usually two months. Once notice is served the clock starts ticking. The date you leave will be agreed and we’ll set the wheels in motion. If the property is going back on the market, we’ll be conducting viewings so please keep the property looking nice for them. If an inventory was compiled when you moved in, the inventory clerk will meet you at the property on the last day of your tenancy to conduct the check-out process.
This is when you surrender the property and hand back your keys, at which point you are no longer allowed inside. We’ll be in touch with you no later than 10 days later to arrange the return of your security deposit. If, however, the landlord wishes to make deductions from your deposit, there is a set procedure for that to take place.