The 2019 Tenant Fees Act banned most letting fees paid by tenants. As responsible agents, we adhere to this law, and won’t charge any letting fees when you rent a property through us.

Referencing is an important part of the letting process. It’s usually quick and easy – and the results prove to the landlord that you can afford to meet the monthly rental payments. Also landlords have a legal obligation to check that you are legally entitled to reside in the U.K. – its known as “The Right to Rent” but if you’re concerned about being referenced, just give us a call and our team will talk you through what’s involved. If you cannot provide adequate history you may be required to pay a significant amount of rent, perhaps 6 months in advance or require a U.K. based home-owning guarantor.

If you’re unable to provide evidence of income over the last year, you’ll probably require a guarantor in order to rent a property. This is usually a parent or guardian. Your guarantor will agree to pay the rent on your behalf, if for any reason you can’t make the monthly payments.

If you see a property that you love and the landlord verbally accepts your application to rent, you’ll be asked to pay a holding deposit. This ensures that the property is secured for you while you’re being referenced. Rather than being paid back, the holding deposit is usually deducted from the first month’s rent.

Typically, you’ll be required to pay the council tax and utilities bills unless otherwise stated in the tenancy contract. As such, it’s important to factor these into your overall budget before you commit to a particular rental property.

From time to time, your landlord or letting agent may wish to visit the property. This is to check that the house or apartment is still in good condition, and that there aren’t any problems that need addressing. You’ll always be notified in writing before this happens – legally, the landlord or agent are required to give you 24 hours’ notice.

Initially, your tenancy agreement will cover a fixed period of time (usually six or twelve months). After this time, you can give one month’s notice that you intend to stop the rental agreement. Be aware – your landlord also has the right to give notice too, once the fixed period is over or is a break-clause to give notice to end the tenancy earlier has been agreed.

Your landlord is responsible for any structural issues, plus maintenance of the fixtures and fittings. For example, if the boiler breaks (through no fault of your own), it’s usually the landlord’s job to fix it. However, it’s your responsibility to keep the property clean and well-maintained. This includes tasks like:

• Checking smoke / carbon monoxide alarms
• Checking for mould and damp (and alerting the landlord if there’s an issue)
• Taking the rubbish out
• Keeping the garden in good order
• Keeping the property clean

The inventory is an important document, outlining the details of the rental property and the items within it. When you receive the inventory, it’s a good idea to check it thoroughly, to ensure nothing is amiss. If you feel something is inaccurate, raise the issue with your letting agent or landlord. You’re also welcome to take photographs as evidence – make sure to date-stamp them, so they can be used as evidence if any disputes arise in the future.

If you’re struggling to meet the rental payments, it’s vital to let the agent or landlord know as soon as possible. We’ll talk you through your options, and work to find an arrangement that’s beneficial for everyone involved.