Tenants

Before you start your property search, it’s important to work out what you can comfortably afford each month.

Consider the rent alongside your other regular household costs, such as council tax, utilities, broadband and insurance. You should also allow for any permitted upfront payments associated with starting a tenancy.

As part of the application process, referencing and affordability checks may be carried out to help assess your ability to meet the rental payments. Setting a realistic budget from the outset will help you focus your search on properties that are right for you.

Rental Affordability Calculator

Think about what matters most to you when choosing your new home. Consider your preferred location, number of bedrooms, outside space, parking, transport links and any other requirements that are important to you.

Once you know your priorities, you can focus your search on properties that best suit your needs. Keep an open mind, as being flexible on certain preferences may give you more options.

It’s also worth contacting our team directly. We may be able to tell you about properties that are coming to the market before they are advertised.

Found a property you like? Get in touch with our team to arrange a viewing at a convenient time.

We’ll talk you through the property, answer any questions you may have and confirm the key requirements for the application process. Viewing a property in person is the best way to see whether it feels like the right home for you.

make sure to give us a call. We will run through the various requirements and arrange a convenient viewing appointment for you.

If you decide that the property is right for you, let us know as soon as possible. We’ll guide you through the application process, provide the relevant forms and explain the next steps.

Once your application has been accepted and the required holding deposit has been paid, the property can be reserved, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

Once you decide to proceed, we’ll guide you through the application and referencing process. You’ll be asked to provide information and supporting documents to confirm your identity, income and eligibility to rent the property.

Referencing is carried out through HomeLet and includes affordability, credit, identity and income checks. The assessment considers your individual financial circumstances, including your income, credit commitments and regular expenditure.

If you do not meet the required referencing criteria, a suitable guarantor or alternative arrangements may be considered, depending on the circumstances and the requirements of the property.

You’ll also need to complete the Right to Rent check by providing the appropriate information or documents to confirm your eligibility to rent in England.

For more information about the referencing process and the checks carried out by HomeLet, click here

Once the necessary checks have been completed and your application has been approved, you’ll be provided with the tenancy agreement to review and sign.

The tenancy agreement sets out the terms of your tenancy, including the responsibilities of both you and your landlord, so it’s important to read it carefully and make sure you understand the terms before signing.

Before your tenancy begins, any required rent and deposit payments must be made in cleared funds. Where a tenancy deposit is taken, it will be protected in accordance with the applicable legislation through a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme.

Before moving into your new home, we recommend arranging contents insurance to protect your personal belongings, as these are not generally covered by your landlord’s buildings insurance.

An inventory and schedule of condition will be provided at the start of the tenancy, recording the condition and contents of the property. Take the time to review it carefully and report any discrepancies within the specified timeframe.

The inventory provides a record of the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy and may be used when assessing the condition at the end of the tenancy and whether any deposit deductions are appropriate, taking fair wear and tear into account.

Throughout your tenancy, you’ll be responsible for paying your rent on time and, unless otherwise stated in your tenancy agreement, paying the council tax and utility bills.

You’ll also be expected to keep the property clean and in good condition, carry out reasonable day-to-day tasks such as replacing light bulbs and disposing of household rubbish, and take care of the property and its contents.

If you notice a repair or maintenance issue, please report it promptly. For managed properties, you should contact our office so we can arrange the appropriate action. For properties managed directly by the landlord, please follow the reporting arrangements set out in your tenancy agreement.

Rent Increases

Under the current rules, rent can generally be increased no more than once a year and cannot be increased during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. Any increase must follow the statutory Section 13 process, including the required notice period.

Your landlord must provide at least two months’ notice of a proposed rent increase using the prescribed Form 4A. Tenants may have the right to challenge a proposed increase if they believe it is above the market rent.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, most private rented tenancies in England are now assured periodic tenancies, meaning there is no fixed end date to the tenancy.

If you decide you would like to leave your home, you must give the required notice in writing. In most cases, this will be at least two months’ notice, ending on the appropriate day of your tenancy period. You must continue to pay your rent until your tenancy ends.

If you wish to remain in the property, you can continue your tenancy without needing to sign a new fixed-term agreement. If you decide to leave, our team will guide you through the notice and moving-out process, including arrangements for returning the property and keys.

For further information about ending your tenancy and your rights as a tenant, please refer to the latest government guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act.

When you’re ready to leave, we’ll guide you through the moving-out process and let you know what needs to be done before the tenancy ends.

Please ensure that all rent and other payments due under your tenancy have been paid, return all keys and leave the property clean and tidy. Remove all personal belongings and rubbish, replace any tenant-responsible items such as broken light bulbs, and make sure the property is left in accordance with the terms of your tenancy agreement.

Remember to redirect your mail and notify your utility providers, council and other relevant organisations of your change of address. Any standing orders for rent should only be cancelled once your tenancy and final payments have been confirmed as complete.

The property will be checked against the inventory and schedule of condition, allowing for fair wear and tear, before the deposit is dealt with in accordance with the applicable tenancy deposit protection requirements.

For managed properties, we will carry out a final inspection once all keys have been returned. The property should be left clean and in a similar condition to when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear.

The condition of the property will be assessed against the inventory and schedule of condition. If there are no agreed deductions, your deposit will be returned in full through the relevant tenancy deposit protection scheme.

Where deductions are proposed, these will be discussed with you and must be dealt with in accordance with the applicable tenancy deposit protection rules.