TENANTS GUIDE

YOUR OFFER – Once we have found your suitable property, you will be in a position to make an offer to the Landlord for consideration. Please note that any offer you make would be subject to you fulfilling our reference criteria.

AGREEING THE LET- As soon as your offer has been accepted by the Landlord, we will apply for references and draw up the relevant documentation which will form the basis of the agreement between you and the Landlord.
You will be expected to provide:
IDENTIFICATION/PROOF OF RESIDENCY
All tenants must show proof of address. Only the following forms of identification are accepted:
Current UK/EEA Passport
Full driving licence
Utility bill (less than 3 months old) 
Council tax bill (less than 3 months old)
 
REFERENCES
We will also contact your employer and your landlord (if you are in rented accommodation already). Your previous employer will also be contacted if you have recently changed jobs. If you are self employed we will need to contact your accountant. A credit check will also be conducted.   To assist us in collating the necessary references, it would be advantageous for you to warn the above individuals in advance that references are required so that these can be returned to us within a matter of a few days.
Occasionally, a GUARANTOR will be required if, for example the tenant has not been continuously employed for the past 18 months; has been working abroad in the previous 6 months; the tenant’s income falls short of our criteria or the tenant’s employment is considered as changeable.
Please note that the same criteria applies to the guarantor and, furthermore, the guarantor must earn the equivalent of 3 times the yearly sum of the rent, be in full time employment or be able to prove by bank statements that they have “independent means”. All tenants should be able to provide a guarantor and should the tenant be unable to provide one, we will decide that the tenant has withdrawn their application.
The guarantor must be aware that they will stand as guarantor for you, (and your partner if you are moving in to the property with some one else), for the entire occupancy of the property, not just for the period of the initial tenancy term.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO EARN TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PROPERTY?
Having passed all the referencing criteria to be considered for the property and, subject to the Landlord’s decision, you must earn at least 1.5 times the yearly rent (however, you will require a guarantor) or at least 2.5 times the yearly rent (you will qualify on the income part of the referencing without a guarantor).

TENANCY AGREEMENT – An appointment will be arranged with you to visit our offices to sign the Tenancy Agreement when all references have been received. The Landlord will also be asked to sign their copy of the document.

RENT AND DEPOSIT – You will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the property.
The deposit is required for the full tenancy against loss, damage or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy. Whilst this is usually the equivalent of one month’s rent, this may vary.   The deposit will be held by Foster & Cranfield Lettings in their designated clients’ account and is fully bonded.   It is returnable in full at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property and it should be noted that deductions will also be made for cleaning should the property (and garden areas) not have been left in a satisfactory condition.    All deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be held in accordance with the rules of the The Tenancy Deposit Scheme.  

Rent is to be paid monthly in advance commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter. The preferred method is by bank standing order.

Please note that all monies are to be paid on the signing of the agreement prior to the occupation and should be paid by bankers draft, unless they are paid a minimum of seven working days prior to occupancy.

CHECK IN AND CONDITION REPORT - If we have been instructed by the Landlord, a Condition Report will be prepared of your new home and a convenient appointment will be made with the Inventory Clerk to carry out a Check In report to coincide with your move in day.

All information is provided in good faith. It does not replace the advice of a qualified legal advisor.   We will accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST:

1. The Tenant will be responsible for insuring their own possessions.

2. The Tenant will take over all utilities such as Gas, Electricity, Water/Sewage charges, Council Tax & Telephone upon moving into the property and will be responsible for contacting the relevant suppliers accordingly prior to commencement of the tenancy.

3. The Landlord is responsible for any repair/maintenance problems to appliances etc. but the Tenant is responsible for any breakages which should be reported immediately.

4. Decoration of the property must only be done with your Landlord’s permission.

5. No pets are allowed unless the Landlord has given consent.

6. Reasonable notice should be given in the event that the Letting Agent or Landlord wishes to inspect the property outside pre-agreed times. It is usual for the Agent to inspect the property at least twice during the term of your Tenancy and the Tenancy Agreement should cover this eventuality.

7. Most lets are for 12 months, although some Landlords may consider shorter terms of say 6 months.

8. Should you wish to quit your Tenancy earlier than the agreed term, you will be liable for all rent until the end of the agreed Tenancy.

9.  The most common type of Tenancy Agreement is the assured short hold used for 6-12 month lets and usually takes the form of a standard contract between both parties.  However, should any “extras” be agreed such as certain furnishings to be provided by the Landlord, you should ask that an extra clause be added to the agreement to this effect. It should be noted that the landlord is not obliged to carry out verbal undertakings so it is important that your requests are documented.

10. All deposits on Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be placed into an UK Government Tenancy Deposit Scheme to ensure it is protected.   Foster & Cranfield Lettings is a member of The Deposit Protection Service (DPS).  The deposit will be held and returned in accordance with the rules of this Scheme.

11. We will deal with the property viewings, references, agreements and getting you moved in.    If we have been instructed to manage the property then you will normally report any repairs or queries to us.  If not, then you will deal directly with the Landlord.

12. Foster & Cranfield Lettings, whilst acting for the Landlord, operates within accepted guidelines in the industry to ensure that you are able to rely on a professional letting agent taking your concerns seriously and advising the Landlord if they are being unreasonable.

13. You require a professional service and, Foster & Cranfield Lettings will ensure that professional standards are met, for example, the correct Tenancy Agreement is used; proper procedures are in place for reporting and dealing with repairs; safety checks are conducted and a bonding scheme is provide to protect your deposit.