Tenants FAQs

You should start looking about 2 to 4 weeks before you need to move. If you start looking too early, you are likely to see a property that is available before you are.

We would advise that your earnings are at least 2½ times the rent and referencing agencies insist on this or require a guarantor.

We will give you an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. This will usually be for a minimum of six months but is usually for a year.

Once you have decided to take a property, you should talk to your negotiator as soon as possible and agree on the terms of the Tenancy. We will need a holding deposit (normally the equivalent of 1 weeks rent) to take the property off the market and start the referencing process. The holding deposit is deducted from the final amount payable. Once the references have come back contracts have been signed and we have received the remainder of the monies due in cleared funds, you are able to move into the on the agreed date. Tenant fees are listed below.

You will normally have to pay one month’s rent in advance and 5 weeks rent as a damage deposit. The full amount (minus the holding deposit) would need to be paid to us in cleared funds before you can move in. Cleared funds would be a bank transfer (this takes at least 2 working days to show in our account).

We normally use a referencing agency. You simply have to complete a form giving your details such as your addresses for the past 3 years, employment details etc. If you are a student you will also need to provide us with details of a guarantor. The guarantor needs to be someone who is earning at least 3 times the rent and will have the same responsibilities as the Tenant. The referencing process is usually completed within a few days but can be completed quicker if necessary.

We will inform all the utility companies (Council Tax, Water, Gas and Electricity) of the date that you moved in and the meter readings where appropriate. The utility companies will then contact you directly. You will need to arrange telephone accounts, TV licence and any other services that you might require (like broadband or digital TV).

You can obtain insurance for your own personal belongings and cover for possible damage you may cause to the property or its contents
– this effectively protects your damage deposit. We will be able to provide you with details of companies who specialise in providing cover for Tenants.

Holding Deposit	1 weeks rent Calculated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 months, divided by 52 weeks. Credited to the full deposit upon successful references.
Security Deposit	Calculated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 months, divided by 52 weeks, multiplied by 5 weeks.
Change of occupiers	£60
Pets allowed at the property	£60
Business run from property	£60
Any other amendments which alter the obligations of the agreement	£60
Loss of keys/security fobs	Reasonable costs to replace lost keys/fobs (invoice will be provided)
Early termination (per property)	Reasonable costs, at the current rate for marketing, referencing of new tenant/s, check out report and new check in report, tenancy agreement.
Late payment of rent	3% per annum above the Bank of England base rate

You should start looking about 2 to 4 weeks before you need to move. If you start looking too early, you are likely to see a property that is available before you are.

We would advise that your earnings are at least 2½ times the rent and referencing agencies insist on this or require a guarantor.

We will give you an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. This will usually be for a minimum of six months but is usually for a year.

Holding Deposit	1 weeks rent Calculated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 months, divided by 52 weeks. Credited to the full deposit upon successful references.
Security Deposit	Calculated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 months, divided by 52 weeks, multiplied by 5 weeks.
Change of occupiers	£60
Pets allowed at the property	£60
Business run from property	£60
Any other amendments which alter the obligations of the agreement	£60
Loss of keys/security fobs	Reasonable costs to replace lost keys/fobs (invoice will be provided)
Early termination (per property)	Reasonable costs, at the current rate for marketing, referencing of new tenant/s, check out report and new check in report, tenancy agreement.
Late payment of rent	3% per annum above the Bank of England base rate

Our branches

Petts Wood

Orpington

Green Street Green

Beckenham / Bromley

Tenant FAQs