Help and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

We have tried to make our website as user friendly and easy to use as possible. If you are looking to rent a property, then just enter the maximum monthly rent you want to pay and the number of bedrooms you require. If there are any other "must haves" like a garden or garage then enter these as appropriate. If you haven't rented before, please have a look at our FAQ's below which covers most of the questions we have been asked over the years.
If you are a Landlord then please take a look at the pages specifically designed for you or click to request our brochure. If your question is not answered here then please contact us through our enquiries page.

• Question:What is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy?
  Answer: AST's came into being in 1988 and were amended in 1996. All tenancies are now deemed to be AST's unless specifically stated as otherwise ie. tenants have no right to claim 'squatters rights' or any other type of entitlement to remain in the property at the end of the agreed period. The minimum length of a tenancy is six months but can be for any length of time in excess of this. At the end of this time the tenant is entitled to leave the property subject to having given at least one months notice that they will not be continuing to live in the property \ before the end of the tenancy. The Landlord is entitled to vacant possession at the end of the six months providing they have given at least two months notice.
• Question: What happens if I want to stay in the property at the end of the first six months?
  Answer: There is no legal requirement for a new agreement to be signed at the end of a tenancy. A tenant can stay in the property on a 'periodic' tenancy which means that the agreement rolls over on a month to month basis on the same terms. A tenant can give one month's notice on or before a rent due date when they wish to vacate and the Landlord can give two months notice on or before a rent due date should they require vacant possession.
  
• Question: How much money do I need to move in?
  Answer: Once you decide that you wish to rent a particular property you will be asked for a £200 'holding deposit'. This secures the property for you, subject to references, and we will remove it from our listing. This deposit is non refundable unless the Landlord subsequently decides to withdraw it from the market. On the day you move in you will be required to pay the balance which is one month's rent in advance plus one month's rent as a damage deposit plus our administration fee less the £200 holding deposit. This needs to be paid in cleared funds i.e. cash, bankers draft or building society cheque.
• Question: How is my deposit protected?
  Answer: All deposits are held in a separate account. We are members of the National Approved Letting Scheme which means we have to have Client Money Protection Insurance. We have been in business for almost fifteen years so your money is totally safe but it is reassuring to know that the insurance is there.
• Question: How long after vacating is the deposit returned?
  Answer: Within twenty eight days of us receiving all the keys back.
• Question: What references do you require?
  Answer: If you are employed we will take up a reference from your employer, bank, current or previous Landlord /Agent and a personal referee. If you are self employed we require a reference from an Accountant. If you have been in your employment for less than one year, are a student or receive any form of state benefit we will also require a guarantor - someone who will agree to pay the rent if you cannot. We will also take up a bank reference on the guarantor.
• Question: Who is responsible for maintenance of the property?
  Answer: The Landlord is responsible for ensuring that the property is kept in a habitable condition and, if appliances are provided, for any repairs as a result of mechanical breakdown. However, they are not responsible for paying the cost of repairs as a result of negligence or accidental damage. The Landlord is not responsible for insuring your contents and you ensure that have adequate cover yourself. Where we manage a property on behalf of a Landlord we will instruct any necessary contractors to carry out repairs. If we do not manage the property we will inform the Landlord or their representative in order that they can deal with it.
• Question: Is the property inspected during my occupation?
  Answer:If we manage the property we have a contractual obligation to the Landlord to carry out inspections normally every three months. Whilst we do not expect the property to be cleaned from top to bottom for our visit we will use these visits to check that there is no damage or dilapidations as a result of your occupation. Obviously fair wear and tear is taken into account. If we believe that there are any issues we will write to you giving you the opportunity to rectify them.
• Question: What happens at the end of the tenancy?
  Answer: If your 'check out' day falls in the working week our Property Manager will endeavour to inspect the property with you and discuss any discrepancies between the inventory given to you when you moved in and the condition of the property at that time. We expect the property to be left in a clean and tidy condition with the carpets having been professionally cleaned and cookers/ovens/hobs to be clean and as free of grease etc. as possible. Fair wear and tear will be taken into account but any significant differences between the inventory and the condition at that time will be rectified and the cost deducted from your deposit. It is, therefore, obviously in your own interest to ensure that the property is left in good order. Should you be checking out outside our normal working hours we will inspect the property as soon as is practicable after your departure.