Tenant's Information

Pre-tenancy

Holding deposit

On agreeing to take a property, a refundable holding deposit of one week’s rent (monthly rent x 12/52) is payable. If for any reason you withdraw from the application, failing references or failure to provide material facts that stop the application proceeding, then your holding deposit will be retained in accordance with the Tenants Fee Act 2019.

Security deposit

Equivalent to 5 weeks rent (monthly rent x 12/52 x 5) is payable prior to the tenancy commencing.

Stamp duty land tax

Payable on tenancies where the rent exceeds £125,000. Further information can be obtained from HMRC.

Non-Assured Shorthold Tenancies

A fee of £360 incl. VAT will be charged towards the cost of referencing and tenancy administration for Non-Assured Tenancies including but not limited to; Company lets, lets where the property is not an applicant(s) principal residence and lets where annual rent exceeds £100,000.

Before setting up a tenancy, we will take up references on you. In order to assist you in finding the right property speedily, it is important that you supply us with mandatory information to reference you properly.

It is essential that all the information requested is supplied to the referencing company, who will contact you with an online link to their website for your application.

When completing the online form you will need to have the following information and supporting documents available:

• Your bank account details
• The full address of your current property, including the postcode
• If you have lived at your current address for less than three years, a list of all addresses for the last three years, including postcodes and dates of occupation (over three months)
• The full company name, full postal address, and postcode of your employer (if applicable)
• A contact name, telephone number, and email address for your employer
• A contact name or company name, address, telephone number, and email address of your current letting agent or landlord (if applicable)

You must provide proof of identity and proof of residency at your current address by providing at least one of the following:

• Your passport
• A driving licence showing your current address
• A recent utility company bill (no more than 3 months old)
• A recent mobile telephone bill in your name and at your current address
• A signed and dated letter from your employer’s Human Resources department showing the name of the individual and their position within the company
• A council tax bill in your name at your current address

Note: Bank statements, DSS/Pension pass books, and benefit vouchers are not acceptable as proof of residency. Please ensure that all referees provided on your application form have been advised that they will be contacted by a referencing agency.

Client Money Protection (CMP) provided by ARLA. You can view the Client Money Handling Procedures by clicking here. Independent redress provided by The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

During your tenancy

Permitted payments

For properties in England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means that in addition to rent, lettings agents can only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant's behalf) the following permitted payments:

• Holding deposits (a maximum of 1 week's rent);
• Deposits (a maximum deposit of 5 weeks' rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above);
• Payments to change a tenancy agreement, e.g. change of sharer (capped at £50 or, if higher, any reasonable costs);
• Utilities, communication services (e.g. telephone, broadband), TV licence and council tax;
• Interest payments for the late payment of rent (up to 3% above Bank of England's annual percentage rate);
• Reasonable costs for replacement of lost keys or other security devices;
• Any other permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

End of tenancy

On the day you vacate the property, it is important to remember that cleaning is one of the most common causes of tenancy deposit disputes. We therefore recommend ensuring that the majority of cleaning is completed in advance, rather than leaving it until moving day.

Once you have vacated, an independent inventory clerk will attend the property to carry out a check-out inspection, comparing its condition against the original inventory completed at the start of your tenancy.

Moving Out Guide
To help ensure a smooth check-out process and the full return of your deposit, please follow the guidance below:

Notify the Deposit Protection Scheme
Notify the Deposit Protection Scheme that you are intending to move out of the property. You would have been provided with this information at the start of your tenancy.

We are obligated to return the security deposit within a reasonable timeframe, typically within one to two months following the end of the tenancy. However, if there are any outstanding rent payments or damage to the property, we may make appropriate deductions from the deposit before returning any remaining balance.

Cleaning the Property
If you choose to instruct a professional cleaning company, please retain all receipts as proof of the clean. These may be required as evidence in the event of a deposit dispute.

All personal belongings and rubbish must be removed from the property. If external bins are full, any excess waste must also be taken away.

Carrying Out Minor Repairs
Please ensure any minor decorative damage is addressed prior to vacating the property. This includes filling small holes from picture hooks or screws (unless prior permission was granted).

If walls have been repainted without the landlord’s consent, they should be returned to their original colour. You should also replace any light bulbs that were in working order at the start of your tenancy.

Taking Photographic Evidence
Once the property has been cleaned, cleared, and any repairs completed, we strongly recommend taking comprehensive photographs of each room, including close-ups of fixtures, fittings, and appliances.

Where possible, ensure images are timestamped. These records may be useful should any dispute arise regarding the condition of the property.

Referring to the Check-In Report
Your original check-in inventory should be used as a point of reference when preparing to vacate. Please ensure the property is returned in a comparable condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.

Any items moved or placed in storage during your tenancy should be returned to their original position.

Check-Out Inventory
A check-out inspection will be arranged by your landlord or letting agent, typically the day after your departure where possible. This report will be compared against the original inventory to assess the condition of the property.

If you feel any proposed deductions are unreasonable, it is advisable to obtain independent repair estimates as supporting evidence.

Please note, if no formal inventory was completed at the start or end of the tenancy, it may be difficult for a landlord to justify deposit deductions.

Fair Wear and Tear
Normal wear and tear is expected over the course of a tenancy. This will be assessed against the original inventory, taking into account the length of the tenancy and standard usage.

Tenancy Deposit Protection
Your deposit is protected under a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme. This ensures your deposit is safeguarded and provides a formal process for resolving any disputes.

Returning the Keys
All keys must be returned by the agreed move-out date. Please ensure the property is securely locked and that keys are clearly labelled with your name and property address. We recommend requesting written confirmation of key return. Failure to return keys on time may result in charges for lock replacement.

Notifying Utility Providers
On your final day, please take meter readings for gas, electricity, and water. These should be provided to your utility suppliers to ensure accurate final billing.

Change of Address
Please arrange for your mail to be redirected at least two weeks prior to vacating the property. Redirecting post is the responsibility of the tenant, and neither the landlord, the landlord’s agent nor future occupants are obliged to forward mail. Here is a handy checklist prepared by Propertymark, which you may find useful.