INFORMATION FOR TENANTS       

Home Estate will guide you through your rental experience, from the very beginning to the very end. Using our expert knowledge in the local rental markets, whether you want to rent a two bedroom house, flat or shared house, we’ll be able to find just what you are looking for.

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• An application is subject to the landlord’s acceptance, the landlord and letting agent being given vacant possession of the property and the following conditions: If more than one tenant applies for the same property we will tell the landlord about all applications. The landlord will decide which application he wants to proceed with. All application forms must be completed in full and submitted online and /or returned to Home Estate within 72hours.

• Once a tenant has viewed a property and this wish to proceed a reservation fee of 1 week will be taken This is paid to remove the property from the market. Once the tenancy is signed the holding fee will be refunded or used as part of the first months rent .

• Every tenant over 18 who will be living at the property will be referenced.

• It is a tenants responsibility to chase their references through, should there be a delay caused by their employer or landlord not providing them with a reference. If tenants references are not returned by their employer or previous landlord or are not completed within 7 working days, then it shall be deemed that the tenant has withdrawn from the application.

• A 5 week deposit is required . All deposits must now be safeguarded in a scheme approved by the Government. If we manage the property we will use the Deposit Protection Service (www.depositprotection.com). If the landlord is managing the property themselves then they will provide you with details of the scheme. All deposit returns will be in line with the deposit holders Terms and Conditions and the landlord’s approval.

• Tenants are advised to ensure their liabilities for accidental damage to the landlord’s property /possessions.

• •Rent is to be paid monthly in advance commencing on the first day of the tenancy and monthly thereafter. Bank Transfers should be set up to leave the tenants to account on or just before the actual rent date.

•PERSONAL CHEQUES AND CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

• The tenant is responsible for Council tax, Water Rates, Electricity, Gas, Telephone etc. The tenant MUST contact the suppliers of these services BEFORE the commencement of the tenancy to ensure continuity of supply. (Please note that most suppliers will require at least 3 working days notice to reconnect a supply or to re-set a key meter to zero. If you give a supplier less notice than this they will usually make a charge to you. We are not able to hand over the keys to a property before your tenancy has commenced). • We reserve the right to notify utility companies, the local authority, other organisations and companies of the commencement/termination dates of the tenancy. •If the tenant is 14 days or more late paying the rent there will be a maximum fee charged which is 3% above the Bank of England base rate per day on the outstanding amount.. The tenant will also be liable for all costs incurred by the landlord as a result of late payment of rent. • . If a tenant fails referencing, the holding deposit (capped at one week’s rent) must usually be returned. Landlords can only keep it if the tenant provided false/misleading information, failed a Right to Rent check, or withdrew from the application •A tenant will be responsible for costs incurred by contractors if an appointment is booked and confirmed and then the tenant is not at home at the agreed date and time. • All rents paid to Home Estate will be paid on to the landlord • If the tenant asks to change the tenancy—such as adding or removing a tenant from the contract or changing terms—you can be charged up to £50 (or reasonable costs if higher)..

CHARGES TO TENANTS (all inclusive of VAT)

Altering the dates on a tenancy agreement after a move-in date has been agreed: See above

Late Rent: Interest can be charged if rent is 14 days or more overdue. The rate is capped at 3% above the Bank of England base rate

Lost Keys/Security Devices: Landlords can charge for the actual, reasonable cost of replacement, supported by written evidence like a receipt.

Tenancy Changes (at Tenant’s Request): Fees for variations, assignments, or novations (e.g., adding a new tenant) are capped at £50. Charges above £50 must be justified with evidence of higher reasonable costs.

Early Termination: If a tenant requests to end the tenancy early, the landlord can charge for actual losses incurred (e.g., remaining rent until a new tenant is found).

Court attendance by Home Estate on behalf of Landlord for breach of tenancy by tenant: Court charges are different depending on the court

Failure of the tenant to honour a confirmed appointment by a contractor acting on behalf of the landlord: will be charges the contractors standard rate plus VAT

IDENTIFICATION/PROOF OF RESIDENCY All tenants must show proof of address (one form from the list below). We must see ORIGINALS – Not photocopies:

• • • A driving licence showing the current address (including provisional).

    • A Passport 

    • A recent utility bill (dated within the last 3 months) – water, gas, electric, phone bill (not mobile phone)

    • A recent council tax bill showing the applicants name and current address (this will only be accepted until the end of June each year)

    • Recent documentation confirming that the applicant is/will be in receipt of housing benefits.

    • Letter from the Employer on headed paper, signed and dated. This should state the address the Employer has known the applicant to reside at, with the letter also addressed to the applicant.

    • Homeowners current household insurance policy schedule.

    • Recent home service provider bill.

    • Current TV Licence

    • Current tenancy agreement signed and dated within the last 6 months (the applicant must be named as a tenant)

PLUS:

• • Photo identification is needed for every person over 18 moving into the property, this can be a photo driving license or passport.

  • We must see your VISA if you have one.STUDENTS: We must have proof of your student status – either a copy of your student card or a letter from your university confirming that you have been offered a place / are attending.No another form of identification can be accepted. – If you do not have the correct form of identification we can not rent to you

Right to Rent Document Checks 

GUARANTOR

From time to time a guarantor will be required by the referencing agency. A guarantor is usually required if: The tenants’ income falls short of the referencing agency’s criteria. The tenant has not been continuously employed for the past 18 months. The tenant has been working abroad in the previous 6 months. The referencing agency deems the tenants’ employment changeable. This list is not exhaustive. The guarantor must meet the same criteria as the tenant (i.e. No adverse credit, be in full-time employment etc). The guarantor must earn the equivalent of 3 times the yearly sum of the rent. (If the tenant is renting with a partner this multiple may be lower, please speak to our office if this is the case)The referencing agency is at liberty to request a guarantor for any application submitted. All tenants should be able to provide a guarantor. If the referencing agency request a guarantor and the tenant can not provide one the agency will decide that the tenant has withdrawn their application. The tenant will, therefore, forfeit their reservation fee.

UTILITY COMPANIES

If your rental property has a key meter you may need to contact the existing supplier before you move into the property to ensure the account is set to zero. Please be aware that the suppliers usually require at least 3 working days notice to reconnect a supply or to re-set a key meter to zero. We are not able to hand over the keys to the property before your tenancy has commenced.

HOW TO MAKE PAYMENT TO US Payment by Bank Transfer

Please call for our account details

Reference: Your own surname / Property address

(the reference is extremely important)

Sorry but we can not accept payment by credit or debit card

IMPORTANT: If you are making a payment to move into a property all bank transfers must be paid/transferred on or before your move-in date.

More Information

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