Holding deposit

After you have viewed the property you may reserve it by payment of a holding deposit equivalent to one weeks rent as clear funds. This payment is to indicate your commitment, is held against expenses, and is off-set against your initial rental payment at the commencement of the tenancy.

In the event that the landlord decides for any reason not to proceed with the Tenancy this payment will be returned to you. This will be withheld if any relevant person withdraws from the Tenancy, fails a Right-to-Rent checks, provides materially significant false or misleading information, or fails to sign their tenancy agreement (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within the deadline of agreement which is the proposed start date.

Please note, we will require cleared funds prior to providing access to any of our properties, and if a personal cheque is being submitted, this will normally take at least five working days to clear. Bankers’ drafts, however, are acceptable

We will also ask you to fill in Offer Letter providing brief profile of each prospective tenant which will then be send to the Landlord. At this stage you will also provide us with your proposed moving in date and any requests (i.e. furniture).

Application

Once your offer has been accepted by the Landlord we will ask you to complete a written application form.

References

As part of the application, we will endeavour (with your permission) to obtain written references to support the information you provide. This will usually mean contacting your employer, current or previous landlord or someone to give you a character reference. We will also carry out a credit search, using an independent referencing company.

If you are self-employed, we will require a written reference from your bank and accountant. We will also require accounts, usually dating back 3 year.

If you are a student who cannot prove a consistent and sufficient income, you will need a parent, relative or close friend to guarantee the rent and adherence to any other tenant obligation listed within the agreement.

Should we decide a guarantor is required before a tenancy can be granted; the same process of referencing will apply to the guarantor.

Minimum earnings threshold required to pass references is 2.5 times over the annual rent for the tenant and 3.5 times over the annual rent for guarantor

Deposit and first month rent payment

We will require a security deposit prior to moving in, (which shall be held by the Government Deposit Protection scheme as security for the duration of the Tenancy), plus a full months’ rent in advance, prior to any tenancy commencing.

The deposit will be held and released in accordance with Tenancy Terms and Conditions. The tenant cannot off set the rent by using this deposit. No interest is accruable on deposits.

We found it easier for both the landlord and tenant, for the monthly rent to be collected on standing order.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

It is tenants obligation to obtain written consent from the landlord for any change in the identity of the tenants. Upon receipt of this consent, J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd will draw up a tenancy agreement for signature by all parties. You will be charged £50 for this service to cover the costs associated with negotiating with the landlord, new tenant referencing and Right-to-rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

If you request a variation or change to your contract you will be charged £50 per agreed variation to cover the costs associated with negotiating with the landlord as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

IMPORTANT: should you wish to terminate your Tenancy before the end of the term and the Landlord agrees that you can terminate early, you will be responsible for the Landlord’s and agent’s reasonable costs in re-letting the property as well as rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy, unless you are exercising a break clause which is contained in your Tenancy Agreement.

Inventory/Inventory clerk costs/cleaning

J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd will be instructed by the Landlord as to what arrangements are to be made for the inventory, check-in and check-out. The landlord will be responsible for the cost of the inventory, check-in and check-out. We advise you make yourself available for the check-in and check-out.

The Assured Shorthold tenancy agreement shall be drawn up by J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd (unless otherwise stated), and a draft copy shall be forwarded to all parties prior to the tenancy commencing

The Assured Shorthold tenancy agreement shall be drawn up by J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd (unless otherwise stated), and a draft copy shall be forwarded to all parties prior to the tenancy commencing.

Pets

Most Landlords do not allow pets, there are exceptions but usually a larger deposit is required.

Insurance

It is tenant responsibility to insure their own belongings throughout the Tenancy

TV licence/telephone/broadband

All bills for services within the property related to telephone, broadband provider, satellite and TV licence shall be responsibility of the tenant for the duration of the tenancy including any connections fees where applicable, unless otherwise stated.

Council tax & utility bills

1. Gas
2. Electricity
3. Water
4. Council Tax

It is the responsibility of the tenants to pay for Council Tax and all utility bills in respect of the property they are renting.

Your telephone and water rates are transferred into the tenant’s name for the duration of the tenancy.

The Property Ombudsman

J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd are fully paid up members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme.

ARLA

J W & SONS Estate Agents Ltd are fully paid up members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

Removal company

We can provide you with number of contacts for removal companies should you require. Please contact us for further details.