Tenants Guide
Administration/Reference Applications
All administration/reference fees are due at the start of the application process, once the offer has been verbally agreed and will secure the property for you subject to satisfactory references being received on behalf of all applicable tenants. Rooms are held for a maximum of 7 days.
The administration fee covering preparation of the tenancy documentation and any other contract/administrative paperwork is £200.00 per single let tenancy and £100.00 per room let.
A guarantor is required for applicants under the age of 25. Should a guarantor be required a further £35.00 payment per guarantor will be needed to cover administration and credit check. This charge should be paid at the same time as the Admin Fee. Please note only home owning guarantors will be considered. Guarantors will also need to supply proof of I.D., address and written permission for us to credit check.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SHOULD YOUR REFERENCE APPLICATION BE UNSUCCESSFUL THE ADMINISTRATION FEE(S) IS NON REFUNDABLE
It is imperative that you disclose all relevant facts that may adversely affect your reference outcome, prior to entering into the above. It may save you money.
PROOF OF I.D. Prior to any move in, we require proof of I.D., proof of address and last months payslips. These can be scanned via email to info@mk-lettings.co.uk, or brought in person to our offices at 14 Wharfside, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK2 2AZ for verification.
Tenancy Agreement
Both the Landlord and tenant(s) will be required to sign a tenancy agreement prior to the tenancy commencing, the agreement outlines both tenant and landlord obligations.
Generally, most tenancies run for a period of twelve months, we will contact you at the end of the tenancy to see whether you wish to renew your agreement for a further period and will liaise with the landlord to organise the documentation. It is important you note that the agreement is made between landlord and tenant, we act for the landlord only.
By legal requirement we will issue you with a sample template agreement which we ask you read very carefully, should any questions arise regarding this legal document we advise you to seek independent legal advice.
Payment
Once a moving date has been agreed and references have all been approved by the landlord, the tenancy agreement will need to be signed by all parties and the initial monies in full will become due less any holding deposit previously paid:
This is made up of the following:
- Deposit normally equal to 6 weeks rent
- The first months rent in advance. (rent is worked out on a per calendar month basis), which is, if you are not aware; the weekly rent, multiplied by 52 weeks and divided by twelve months to give the per calendar month rental figure
The above monies need to be in a cleared form before the tenancy is able to commence, payment by means of either a bankers draft, cash or paid directly into our client bank account and showing as cleared.
Managed Properties
We do get instructed to fully manage some of our landlord's properties, if this is the case, with your tenancy we will inform you prior to your tenancy commencing. If we are managing then any faults with appliances or problems within the property will need to be reported to us and we will deal with the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. Failure to report an ongoing problem may turn the onus onto you; please report any problems you feel need attention.
Rental Payment
Rental payments are always made by standing order from the tenants' bank account to the landlord's bank account, with the exception of managed properties whereby the rental payment is made to us.
Notice to End a Tenancy
To terminate your tenancy subject to term, you will normally be required to give us at least one month notice in writing of your intention to leave.
The responsibility for your belongings are down to you, you must ensure you have adequate contents insurance, the landlord accepts no responsibility and cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to tenants possessions.
Inventory
A well-prepared inventory and check-in report protects landlords and tenants alike, providing an accurate description of the condition and contents of a property at the start of a tenancy.
The condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy is then compared back to this report in the form of a check-out report. The inventory clerk will also provide an opinion on whether any damage that has arisen during the tenancy is attributable to the tenants, to 'fair wear and tear' or to the landlord as required maintenance.
It is in a landlord's interest to ensure that inventories are prepared for properties that they own. In the worst case scenario, should you end up in court, the judge will tend to look more favourably on an impartial, unbiased inventory prepared by a third party unconnected to either the landlord or the tenants. Inventories prepared by landlords could be viewed as biased and one-sided.
Normally an inventory of the property condition, furniture and fittings and effects will be prepared by the landlord, or an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord prior to the tenancy commencing. The tenancy is checked and agreed between the tenant and the landlord at the tenancy commencement.
Deposit Returns
When your tenancy ends, an inspection of the property will be carried out, either by the landlord or an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord. A forwarding address will be requested from you and your Holding Deposit cheque will sent, dependent on all your renancy terms having been met. We aim to return Holding Deposit cheques within one working week of check out.
Tenants' Obligations
The responsibility for the property lies with the tenant during the period of tenancy, always ensure that the property is fully secured and that during the winter months steps are taken to prevent freezing of the water and heating system.
Property Inspection
If we are instructed as managing agents for your property, we will carry out quarterly inspections to assess the condition of the property and that everything is being kept in a satisfactory condition. We will always arrange this with you at a mutually convenient time.
Council Tax & Utilities
It is the tenant's responsibility to inform the utility companies of their occupation of the property at the commencement of the tenancy, and to pay council tax to the local authority. Students, who may be exempt from the payment of council tax, are responsible for informing the Local Authority of this.
Wherever applicable VAT will be charged at the current VAT rate.