Once we have helped you find a suitable property, an offer can be made for the Landlords consideration. You will be asked to supply a preliminary deposit, which would hold the property for you. You will be required to fill out a simple application form and provide us with documentation. The documents that you will be asked to supply may include previous/current residential addresses, current/previous employers or current DSS documentation. There is no need to worry about the referencing process; it is a standard procedure that every applicant must endure. The application process typically takes 48-72 hours to process. A Guarantor is needed for those Tenants who have recently moved to the UK and therefore cannot provide previous traceable UK addresses.  A guarantor is usually a parent or relative that is willing to sign a consent form stating that should you default on the rent for whatever reason they may then be liable for the outstanding amount.

Once your application has been successful you will need to pay the required deposit and one month’s rent in advance before the tenancy starts. This amount must be paid in cleared funds, for example direct bank transfer, banker’s draft, cash. Cheques will not be accepted. The deposit is held in a separate account to ensure your money is safe.

The Check-in will take place at our office on the day you collect your keys. This is where you will sign the tenancy agreement; pay the remainder of the deposit and the first month’s rent in advance. An up to date inventory will also be supplied at the start of the tenancy and you are expected to check this when you get to the property and return it with any amendments within 3 working days. Photos will be taken as proof of the state of the property before residency begins.

Rent is to be paid on a monthly basis usually by standing order on each subsequent month. This date will be agreed with the Landlord.

If you rent a property your Landlord or agent must protect your deposit in one of three appointed schemes. You will be entitled to know where the deposit is held within 14 days.

If you rent through Simple Homes we will protect your deposit BEFORE giving it to your Landlord. If we manage the property, the deposit is held on a segregated account.

Simple Homes is part of the Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd (TDSL). Agents or Private Landlords who are not members of a government approved scheme are no longer able to hold a Tenant’s Deposit.

For more information call 0871 703 0552 or visit www.mydeposits.co.uk
With affect from the 6th April 2007 all deposits, up to the level of £25,000, taken by Landlords for in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. Tenancy Deposit Protection has been introduced to ensure good practice in deposit handling, so that when a tenant pays a deposit, and is entitled to get it back, they can be assured that this will happen. It will also encourage Tenants and Landlords to have in place, from the outset, clear agreement on the condition of the property through the use of inventories.

After the property has been inspected at the end of the tenancy agreement, if all is in order, Landlords are encouraged to return the deposit to the tenant as soon as possible. To make the process as fair as possible for both Tenants and Landlords this can be achieved by having a professional inventory-agent examine the property. If Simple Homes does hold the deposit we aim to return the deposit as soon as possible. A report is prepared at the beginning of the tenancy recording the condition of the property interior, and then again at the end of the tenancy.

Please be aware that it is not permissible for you to cancel your last month's rent payment because we hold a security deposit. The deposit is legally a separate issue from rent payment and you will be in breach of your contractual agreement and this could lead to prosecution.

If your chosen property is managed then monthly inspections will be carried out. This gives you the chance to raise any concerns or maintenance issues with the property manager. Any damage to the property will be documented with photographs and may affect the full return of the deposit.

You are advised to obtain contents insurance for your personal possessions.

You will need to notify the local authority of your residence at the start of your tenancy. They will then calculate your monthly council tax payment of which you are directly responsible.

All monthly rents are exclusive of utility charges; you will be directly responsible for any Gas, Electric &Water bills. At the start of each tenancy you are responsible of obtaining the current and relevant meter readings of which need to be supplied back to our office.

Got another question?

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