Tenants Information
I can usually be reached on the office telephone Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 09:00 until 13:00. I work alone, so it is best to get me on the mobile which I will try and answer up to 21:00 every evening except Saturday & Sunday. Viewings on properties are available up to 19:00 on week days and up to 14:00 on Saturday. I do not do any later viewings as I think it is unfair on the tenant occupying the property.
My properties are advertised on www.findaproperty.com or www.primelocation.com For those tenants who want to get at the front of the queue, please do call me and register your details at least six weeks in advance of moving. I will be able to tell you what properties are coming available and when.
Costs and Reference Checks
When a tenant decides to rent a property through me and before they sign anything. I give every tenant a copy of my terms of business which lists all costs. The terms of business must be signed before any reference checks are processed. I use two different companies for reference checks, Maras and Letsure. Reference checks include credit check, employment, previous address and personal reference.
Holding Fee
Where there is a period longer than a month between reference completion and the tenant moving into a property. I will ask you to pay a holding fee (first months rent) to hold the property until you can move in. This shows your commitment to taking the property and this fee, should you later decline the property is non refundable.
I use the Deposit Protection Service for all deposits www.depositprotectionservice.com
During the tenancy, if you have a maintenance issue, I pride myself on being able to address the problem as quickly as possible. That is usually a next day service depending on the contractor required. All the contractors who work on my properties are insured. All properties (where required) have gas safety certificates)
Rents
Rent is paid calendar monthly by standing order 3 days in advance of the due date. The tenancy runs in “periods” The period starts on the tenancy start date and must end on the last day of that period i.e. tenancy start date is the 5th March, the tenancy must therefore end on the 4th of any given month thereafter. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs.
Inventory and Check In
I always personally check every tenant into a property. This involves walking through the property checking the inventory and making any notes as necessary. The inventory is then agreed and signed by the tenant and myself. Please note: where the property or an item in the property has been “professionally cleaned” at the start of the tenancy. The same must be applied at the end of the tenancy.
Property Visits & Contact
I visit (on average) a property every three months. This gives the tenant a chance to discuss their plans, tenancy renewals and answer any queries they may have. Likewise, if you do not want to be at home when I call, that is no problem.
Tenancy Renewals
I always visit the tenant with a new tenancy agreement to sign at a time to suit them. Where requested, I can post the tenancy agreement. There is a renewal fee each time a tenant renews the tenancy.
Check Out
Prior to check out, I will send each tenant a copy of my Departure and Cleanliness policy and a list of local contractors, whom you may or may not use. I will always carry out a pre check out visit upon request. A check out fee is payable.