Tenants Guide

Finding a property

Narrow your search

When you start the search for your ideal home it is worth considering your requirements:

  • Think about the location you’d like to live in
  • Consider your ‘must have’ list- what do you really want?
  • What’s your budget? Would you pay more for the right property? Budget carefully – allow for council tax and the cost of all utilities, which professionals pay for but full-time RHUL students do not.
  • How long do you need the accommodation for? Is it a stop gap or a long term solution?
  • When would you like to move in? Students should start searching from November onwards for a September start, and professionals 6-8 weeks before the move-in date.

Viewings

  • Check out the space inside cupboards and wardrobes for storage space but remember if the property has a tenant you should respect personal property and ask before delving into cupboards
  • All our properties have good mobile phones reception, cable/ satellite dish on the roofs, broadband availability and plenty of electrical sockets to stay connected in your new home
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Securing a property

The rental market moves fast. Always be prepared with the relevant documents such as a form of identification and confirmation of your address.

Once you find the right property (we hope it is one of ours!) you’ll need to put a reservation fee down to £1000 payable at this stage, this will be taken into account and deducted from the remainder of the money you’ll pay before you move in.

You will need to provide proof of your “Right to Rent” under the immigration act.

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Credit and reference checks

You will be asked to give references to your prospective landlord and letting agent to confirm that you have rented in the past without any major problems. As part of this process

  • Three years’ address history
  • Landlord details for any property rented in the last three years
  • Confirmation of earnings per annum that are equal to the monthly rental fee multiplied by 30
  • If you’re retired, then your (joint) pension per annum will also need to equal 30 times the monthly rental
  • No adverse credit in the form of a county court judgment, bankruptcy order or similar
  • If you’re self-employed, either an accounts reference or to provide evidence of the last three years’ tax return
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The deposit

Once the deposit is paid in full, we stop marketing the property. This deposit is held as the landlord’s cover for damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy.

The deposit will be registered with My Deposits.

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Tenancy Agreement

A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are adhered to. All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. This may include such responsibilities as; you must tell your landlord if you are going away for longer than 14 days, you must not use the property as a business.

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Safety regulations and insurance

Insurance

Tenants often overlook the need to take out contents insurance when renting a property. we offer a comprehensive insurance policy.

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Moving in Day

Our move-in team will call you to confirm all the arrangements and will draw up your tenancy agreement and other important documentation. You’ll also be issued with a ‘moving in’ statement for payment before moving in. This includes:

  • Rent
  • Deposit- equal to one and a half month’s rent.
  • Administration fee and check-in fee – please see our Price List
  • A deduction of the initial £1000 holding deposit.
  • With your references, paperwork and invoices complete, it’s time to move in!
  • Your keys will be available to collect either from our office in Wokingham or at your check in appointment from either the landlord or inventory clerk
  • Remember to inform your utilities provider and the local council of your move.

The inventory

The inventory is a detailed list of the contents and condition of the property at the point that you move into it. By both parties agreeing that the inventory is correct at the start of the tenancy, any risk of disputes at the end of the tenancy will be minimised. We recommend therefore that you thoroughly check the inventory and report anything you disagree with immediately or at least within 1 week of receipt.

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Property Inspections

The property you are renting is a large investment for your landlord, so they will arrange visit days to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year. Of course, if anything breaks down or needs repairing then the landlord will visit the property more often to ensure the property maintains in good condition for you to live in.

Your Property Manager

If your property is professionally managed by us, you’ll receive a welcome letter when you start with information about how to register any maintenance issues 24 x 7 online.

A managed property will also carry out inspections visits which will generate photographic reports. Both you and your landlord will receive copies of the report, so that everyone is aware of the property’s current condition and disputes can either be avoided or easily resolved.

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The next step

Once you are nearing the end of your tenancy period you will need to decide whether to extend your stay or move out (remembering to give two months’ notice in writing).

a. Staying put

If you do want to renew the tenancy, we will liaise with you directly and send you all the necessary paperwork to complete. If your circumstances have changed, some new checks may be needed, but this will be advised on at the time. Remember the landlord at this stage will be within his/her rights to serve notice on your tenancy if they need the property back or there have been any persistent issues.

b. Moving out

We will arrange a check out with an independent inventory company (carried out on the last day of your tenancy) to ensure the property is left in an appropriate condition – at this point, you’ll hand back the keys

Deposit

After serving your notice you’ll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.

Pardoning normal wear-and-tear, if the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, getting your deposit back should be no problem.

Here’s what to do next:

  • Give the property a thorough clean, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture (if necessary hire a professional cleaner)
  • If you have marked the walls or you do not want to get a cleaner in yourself, then ask us to get you a redecoration quote and cleaning quote about 4 weeks before you move out. If we help you with this before the move out you will save considerably
  • Return all of the keys
  • Remove all of your personal belongings (if you leave them in there is a cost for removing them)

If you need any help either before after your tenancy call us and we’ll be happy to help.