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Information For Tenants

Julian Reid Estate Agents in Stoke Newington

Tenant’s Guide to Renting

Why rent with us?

At Julian Reid Estate Agents Residential Letting and Property Management Service, renting is highly valued, after all every home is a haven, whether owned or rented, from a small apartment to a large family house. We aim to provide quality properties and services for our Tenants, with many of you renewing your tenancies from one year to the next. Renting a HOME with Julian Reid Estate Agents should be an experience that’s as smooth and stress free as possible.

Application for a Tenancy/References

To help you eliminate unexpected surprises, we have outlined our guidelines; When you make an offer for tenancy of a suitable property, all prospective Tenants over the age of 18 years will need to complete reference forms and return them within 3 days.

Using the information you provide, we will start the referencing process which takes between 2 and 5 working days, depending on referee responses. If, as in some cases a guarantor is required, we will need you to complete further forms and a charge will apply.

Tenancy Deposit

When we have completed the referencing process the deposit (equivalent to five weeks rent) is required. This is held within the Deposit Protection Scheme. The Tenancy agreement can then be signed by all parties. The first month’s rent must be received in cleared funds no later than 3 days prior to the tenancy commencing by advanced BACS transfer.

Inventory

You can collect the keys from our office at an agreed time on the start day of your tenancy, during working hours Monday to Friday, 9.30m – 6.00pm.

We will provide a copy of the inventory – please check and mark any discrepancies then sign and return a copy to us within 7 days.

This document will be used to verify the condition of the property when you vacate and can protect your deposit in the event of any dispute.

Schedule of Condition

For the duration of the tenancy you will be responsible for the property, immediately reporting any damage or problems which may arise, to us or the Landlord.

When you leave the property, it will be checked against the inventory, with a fee for the check-out inspection charged against your deposit. Any discrepancies will need to be rectified at your expense before the deposit or balance of it can be released.

We strongly advise that you take out your own Contents Insurance for the duration of your tenancy.

Rental Payments

We will provide you with written notification of the rental payments bank account to make payments into by standing order.

You will need to ensure that rent has cleared into our account by the due date of the tenancy agreement otherwise a late charge will be applied.

If the property is not managed by Julian Reid Estate Agents Lettings, the name and address of the Landlord will be sent to you in writing, for any necessary contact.

You, the Tenant are responsible for paying all household utility bills for the duration of the tenancy.

Fees

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came in to effect on June 1st 2019 and outlines the fees letting agents and landlords can charge tenants throughout the rental process. The majority of fees that used to be charged have now been abolished and are now known as ‘prohibited fees’. There are a few fees that are still in place and these are called ‘permitted payments’. Please see list below.

Prohibited Fees

All administration fees
Application fees
Referencing fees/credit checks
Inventory fees
Check-In/check- out fees
Renewal fees
Right to rent fees
Guarantor fees

Permitted Payments

Tenancy/security deposit
Holding deposit
Payment in the event of a default
Payment on the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
Payment of council tax
Payment of utilities
Payment of a television licence
Payment in respect of communication services

Tenancy/Security Deposit

Is a permitted payment, however the amount that can be requested by a landlord/letting agent has changed. If the annual rent is less than £50,000, the maximum deposit that can be requested is five weeks rent. If the annual rent is equal to, or greater than £50,0000 a year a request for six weeks rent is allowed. The deposit will then be held in a government run scheme, such as the DPS.

Client Money Protection

Clint Money Protection Certificate Click here

Propertymark Conduct and Membership Rules Click here

For help or advice on renting your home please get in touch, click here to contact us.

If you would like any further assistance or advice please do not hesitate to contact our Lettings Department on 020 7923 8650