Tenants
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How to secure a rental property
The friendly lot at Letting Solutions will happily arrange for prospective tenants to view one or multiple properties at a time to suit you. Upon request, we can do late night or weekend viewings.
Once you have found your ideal new home, an application form must be completed and submitted, along with all supporting documentation for the landlords\' consideration. Only once we have received a complete application, we will ask you to pay a holding deposit.
All tenancies are offered on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) for a minimum period of six months. A longer-term can be agreed by separate negotiation.
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Important information about your tenancy
Holding Deposit
When a prospective tenant submits an application for tenancy a holding deposit equivalent to a weeks’ rent will be payable. This holding deposit will hold the property for you until the Landlord accepts or declines your application. If your application is accepted, this holding deposit will be deducted from your first months’ rent. If your application is declined, then the holding deposit will be returned to you in full, with the following exceptions:
The holding deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited should the tenant decide to withdraw their application.
The holding deposit is non-refundable if the tenant does not pass the Right To Rent checks.
The holding deposit is non-refundable if there are any false or misleading statements on your application form. Ie – don’t tell any porkies!
In the unlikely event that a Landlord withdraws their property after a holding deposit has been paid, Letting Solutions will reimburse the holding deposit to the tenant(s) in full.
References
Letting Solutions will require references as part of the application process, before agreeing a rental. If applicable, we will require an employer’s reference, a previous landlord reference and a character reference.
If you are in receipt of benefits or have a poor credit history or any unresolved County Court Judgements, you will need a guarantor. Your guarantor will also need to be referenced and once approved they will be required to sign a Guarantor Agreement to support your tenancy.
If you do not have a guarantor, you can opt to pay all of the rent for the duration of the tenancy in advance, in addition to the agreed bond. This is subject to landlord approval.
Identification
When submitting your application, all tenants over the age of 18, will be required to provide the relevant identification under the Immigration Act 2014. A list of acceptable identification can be provided upon request.
Furnishings
Our properties are offered for rent on either an unfurnished, part or fully furnished basis. The degree to which properties are furnished can vary dramatically, however most usually have flooring, curtains and cooking facilities. Any prospective tenant is encouraged to discuss their requirements with our team, to whether they are seeking a fully furnished or unfurnished home.
In certain circumstances, a landlord may be prepared to provide additional items of furniture or appliances. Just ask!
Inventory
Prior to occupation of your new home, a detailed inventory will be prepared by either the landlord or an inventory clerk, detailing the fixtures and fittings in the property and their condition.
Tenants will be required to sign this inventory, upon signing your AST, confirming that you agree with the details and the condition of the property. This inventory will be used when you vacate the property to assess any damage or dilapidations. With allowances for fair wear and tear, any damage or cleaning that is required will be charged to the outgoing tenant. We strongly recommend that you take the time to check through your inventory to ensure that you agree with it. Upon signing, you will be given 48 hours to make any further comments. If we do not hear from you in writing, we will assume that you are in agreement with the inventory and all comments made.
Utilities
Most tenancies do not include utility bills and tenants are responsible for payment of council tax, water rates, gas and electric.
Where Letting Solutions manage a property, we will advise the suppliers of your occupancy, however, the tenant is ultimately responsible for contacting the suppliers to set up an account and make arrangements for payment.
If you have a pre-payment meter, cards can be purchased from our office or your card or key can be topped up at any Pay Point.
Letting Solutions are unable to help with additional services such as a television license, SKY or similar and broadband. Permission must be obtained in writing before arranging any installation, if required.
The landlord is responsible for the building insurance, together with any landlords contents insurance. Any ground rent is also the responsibility of the landlord. Where there is a service charge, this will also be payable by the landlord, unless otherwise stated.
Tenants must insure their own contents. If you would like help with this or you would like a quote, please speak to a member of our team and we will be happy to assist.
For council tax bandings, please visit the appropriate council website or
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands
Single occupants may qualify for a 25% discount.
Students may qualify for a discount or an exemption.
Gardens
Garden and ground maintenance is the responsibility of the tenant unless otherwise stated. The initial condition of the gardens will be included in the inventory.
Rental Payments
Rent is payable either monthly or 4-weekly, in advance unless otherwise agreed. Tenants will be responsible for setting up a Standing Order to make rental payments on or before the rent due date
Pets
Pets are not permitted, except if agreed in writing. If you have a pet, you must declare this at the application stage. Pet bonds are no longer permitted in England, however you may offer or be requested to pay ‘pet rent’. Please ask for further details.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any rental property. If you smoke, you must declare this at the application stage.
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New Tenancy Application
Coming Soon...
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Fees for Tenants
Application Fees
From June 2019, tenants are no longer required to pay an application fee or credit check fee.
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Report a Problem or Fault
Faults & Repairs
At the beginning of your tenancy, you will be advised who will be managing your property and you will be given the appropriate contact details.
If your property is managed by your landlord, any maintenance issues must be reported directly to them.
You must not instruct a contractor to undertake any work - if you do, it will be at your own expense.
If your property is managed by Letting Solutions, please report any maintenance issues as soon as possible.
Property Management Opening Hours
If you are in a property managed by Letting Solutions, please note we do not offer a 24 hour management service.
Our management team operate from Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm & Friday 9am to 4pm. You can report a problem during these hours by calling Jane on 01253 886444 or you can use our app. Find and download it at the App Store.
You are also able to report a non-urgent fault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week here...
If you have a problem of an urgent nature, you may find these numbers useful...
Gas Leak - National Grid 0800 111 999
Fire Service & Police - Emergency only 999 Break in - Non urgent 101
Lost keys - We suggest that you find a local locksmith, however you will be liable for the cost. You may prefer to find a bed until we re-open as we do hold a spare set of key
Emergencies only
Resident plumber (gas & water) - Barry Resident plumber -
Emergency Repairs
The majority of property issues can wait to be reported until the next business day when you will be able to report the problem directly to our maintenance department.
Our property management department is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm & Friday 9am to 4pm.
Who Is Managing My Property
At the commencement of your tenancy, you will be informed if Letting Solutions are managing your property or if it is being managed by your landlord.
If your landlord is self-managing, their contact details can be found at the front of your Tenancy Agreement. You should contact your landlord directly to report any maintenance issues, only if your property is not managed by Letting Solutions.
Don't Delay, Call Today!
In order to avoid any unnecessary complication, we ask you please to report any maintenance issues as soon as possible.
If Letting Solutions Is Your Managing Agent
If Letting Solutions is managing your property, any maintenance issues must be reported directly to us. We will endeavour to address all issues within 24 hours.
We will always ask our contractors to contact you directly in order to gain access to the property. We will never give any contractor our management keys without your consent, unless we have an emergency that needs to be addressed urgently. These unfortunate circumstances are few and far between but they do happen and so we reserve the right to access the property without your consent.
Please Note...
Regardless of who manages your property, you must not instruct a contractor to undertake any work - if you do, it will be at your own expense!
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What Do Our Customers Say
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