Lettings information for prospective tenants

Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) only

You have decided to search for a property to rent
Your first move is to check the details of properties on our website and register for regular email updates of properties coming on to the market. If you wish to contact us to discuss your requirements in detail, we can help you find a property to rent that may not be currently marketed. Our website has full property details and we have many years experience of the local rental market and can provide further detailed information on all of our properties if you have specific requirements such as your pets. We would really advise you to start looking sooner rather than later in the current rental market as you may need to wait for the right property to become available in some areas.

Arranging your viewing
When you have found a potentially suitable property, simply contact your branch office by telephone or email to make a booking for a viewing. You will be asked to provide additional information including your availability for viewings and brief details about yourself including if you have pets, are a student, company, overseas national or non UK resident. On our confirming a booking for a viewing we will meet you at the property. Please note that all potential viewers must have provided their contact details to The Letting People prior to a viewing and if you cannot make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

Considering making an application

So you have decided on a property you wish to rent! At this stage you should ensure that you have completed all your enquiries regarding the suitability of the property you are considering renting including whether your pets would be accepted and our application process including fees and charges payable by you both on application and, depending on our services, during or at the end of your tenancy.

Making an offer and application
Your next step is to contact your branch as quickly as possible who will confirm any details or requirements and provisionally agree these with you ‘subject to contract’. All prospective tenancies are between the applicant(s) and the landlord(s) and the provisional details will include the rent payable, tenancy deposit due, planned start date, duration of the letting and any special requests or terms together with brief details of your, and all joint applicants application for the landlord’s initial approval subject to your, and all joint applicants, satisfactory references. On making your application, you will also need to make payment of the Holding Application Fees - which are non-refundable if you subsequently decide to withdraw from the letting and are subject to the terms and conditions of the holding application receipt.

Submitting your references
Now its time to complete your online reference application form and your references will then be taken up by a credit reference agency. You will need to have to hand the details of your current employer, and landlord, any former employer and landlord over the last 3 years together with the contact details of your personal referee. IMPORTANT: All applications including any guarantor applications are subject to a credit check being undertaken - so please advise us before your application if you have any adverse credit as this cannot be retrospectively disclosed to us after your application has been taken. Your, and all joint tenants, fully completed reference application is required within 7 days of payment of your holding application fee in accordance with our holding application terms and conditions.

If you require a guarantor
You may propose a guarantor to be considered if you are unable to fully meet the referencing criteria including your rental liabilities. IMPORTANT:  You will need to discuss your guarantor requirements with your branch BEFORE your application to assess suitability for the property you wish to make application. Guarantors must be UK residents and will be required to complete an online reference application and to sign a guarantee and the tenancy agreement.

Administration and application agency fees
Your application fees are paid on taking you application to The Letting People for our costs in processing your application, taking up references and preparing agreements for signature and include our disbursements for referencing, obtaining credit checks and other associated administration costs. However, there may be additional fees which become due during referencing, for example guarantors which will be payable before proceeding further, and any other additional fees which must be paid before commencement of tenancy. Our agency application fees are identified on your Holding Application and Guarantor Receipt. In addition, there may be inventory fees for check-in or checkout or renewals payable to The Letting People, please check for the details applicable to the services for each property

Commencement of tenancies
Once we have received satisfactory references, you (and your guarantor) identity and residency documents and you have successfully completed your application for tenancy, your branch will normally arrange to meet with you and your landlord before the proposed commencement of tenancy for you to sign the tenancy agreement (and guarantee agreements) and any other tenancy documentation.

Making payment of your first and subsequent monthly rent
Rents are per calendar month and normally do not include council tax or any other services including gas, electricity and water supplies. Payment of your first month’s rental must be to your branch in all cases and must cleared before your tenancy starts. Cleared funds are cash, bank direct credit, bank or building society draft ONLY. Thereafter you pay your rent each month on the same day of the month.

Payment of your deposit due
You must also make payment of your tenancy deposit (you may know this as a ‘security deposit’ or 'bond' if you are an overseas national) when you sign your tenancy agreement and before your tenancy starts. For tenancies which are proposed to start more than 14 days after your application you will be required to sign your tenancy agreement and make payment of your tenancy deposit on our giving 7 days notice. Further details about tenancy deposits can be found under ‘deposits’ on this website

Collection of keys
Once we complete all the tenancy administration arrangements and are in receipt of your first month’s rent and deposit, we will contact you to make arrangements for collection of the keys for the property. This is usually by prior appointment after 2pm on the day your proposed tenancy starts from our office or by arrangement with the landlord. However, please note that your branch will require the landlord signature to the tenancy agreement and have received notification from your landlord that the property is ready and available for you to move into before you are able to collect keys.

Congratulations on your move in!