Tenants Guide

Administration/Reference Applications

After your viewing, if you have made an offer and its been accepted, the next step is to reserve the property and get referenced.

Please complete an Application form for each person over the age of 16 proposing to live at the property.

The Landlord will request a Holding Deposit equivalent to 1 weeks rent to be paid at the start of the application process. This Holding Deposit will be used towards the full deposit required before the commencement of the tenancy agreement.

The Holding Deposit is refundable in the following circumstances:

A)  In full provided 

1. The offer is not accepted by the Landlord
2. The Landlord withdraws the property
3. If the prospective tenant withdraws the offer prior to the commencement of tenant referencing checks 

B)  In Part provided 

1. If the Landlord determines that the reference replies are unsatisfactory a charge of £50 will be payable to cover the costs of referencing
2. If the Landlord is unable to obtain replies to reference requests within 7 working days, a charge will be payable to cover reasonable time and expenses subject to a maximum of £50
3. If the prospective tenant provides false or misleading statements and the Landlord is unable to let the property by the agreed date a charge will be payable to cover reasonable time and expenses subject to a maximum of the holding deposit paid
4. If the prospective tenant withdraws the offer after the commencement of tenant reference checks and the Landlord is unable to let the property by the agreed date, a charge will be payable to cover reasonable time and expenses subject to a maximum of the holding deposit paid

By completing the Tenant Application form you are providing consent for MK Lettings to conduct a reference check on the personal infomation provided. 

Should you fail referencing due to insufficient income and you are offered to provide a Guarantor, the person you elect would have to be fully referenced and provide documentation to asssit this and sign a Guarantor form before the tenancy commenced.

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. Should you have adverse credit, CCJ, or fail the credit check conducted by FCC Paragon, we will be unable to accept you as a tenant and the Holding Deposit may not be refunded in full as above.

Proof of I.D/Address/Income. Prior to any referencing being commenced, we require proof of I.D in the form of a valid passport together with any relevant visa documents if applicable for all proposed occupants over the age of 16, proof of address in the form of a recent bank statement or utility bill. Documents should be scanned via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 12 months, automatically becoming a rolling contract after the initial fixed period. It is important you note that the agreement is made between landlord and tenant, we act for the landlord only.

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. The initial monies (deposit and first months rent) will be due in cleared funds at least 24hours before the move in date.

This is made up of the following:

• Deposit normally equal to 5 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

Payment should be paid into our bank account showing as cleared funds at least 24hours before move in, details on request.

Rental Payment

Rental payments are always made by standing order from the tenants' bank account to the landlord's bank account.

Notice to End a Tenancy

To terminate your tenancy subject to term, you will be required to give us at least one month notice in line with your tenancy agreement in writing of your intention to leave.

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.

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.

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 tenancy terms having been met. We aim to return Holding Deposit cheques within ten working days of the official vacating date.

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.