A Tenant’s guide to renting through Jackie Oliver & Company

The Application Process           

Once you have chosen the property you wish to rent, you will be asked to complete application forms - one for each adult tenant. When the Application forms and relevant fees have been received we can process the application. An independent company is used to obtain employment references and current Landlord/Letting Agent references (if the applicant is renting a property already) Credit checks are also performed.

We are reliant upon a third party and it can often take up to three days for all reference reports to come back. Inaccurate or missing information will delay the application. Once we have everything we need we will then contact you to progress your application. If something detrimental is found we will discuss this with the individual applicant.

Application fees

A sum of £125.00 is payable for the first applicant and each additional applicant will incur a charge of £50.00. If an application is processed and it is decided that a Guarantor is needed, the Guarantor will also need to completion of the requisite forms and pay £50.00 fee. The Application fee is non-refundable except in the event that the Landlord decides not to proceed for reasons other than unsatisfactory references.

Term

Typically an initial contract will be drawn up to cover the period of six months. In some cases a Landlord may be agreeable to a different contract term subject to individual circumstances. As the Agent we will negotiate renewals two months before the contract is due to expire and if both parties are in agreement new tenancy agreements will be produced for signatures. If the Tenancy is not to be extended for whatever reason, the Tenant must understand that the property may be re-marketed and viewings may take place during that two month period.

 Before the tenancy can start

Once satisfactory references have been obtained and a start date agreed, tenancy documentation will be drawn up.  It is usual for tenants to visit our offices on the first day of the tenancy to sign their tenancy agreements and to pay the requisite first months rent in advance and deposit. The deposit is typically a month and a half of rent but can vary from property to property. The first months rent and deposit MUST be provided in cleared funds ie Cash or Bankers draft. We do except debit or credit cards but we will charge £3.50 for each transaction. If your visit is in advance of your start day, key will be made available on the first day of your tenancy. Once this process has been completed you have been given keys and copy tenancy documents and you will be free to move in.

Utilities

It is the Tenants responsibility to pay for all utilities supplied to the property, unless other wise stated in the tenancy agreement. These include Council Tax, Gas, Electicity, Water and Telephone, and TV Licence. Tenants are strongly advised to take meter reading upon occupation. Tenants are free to commence their accounts with their chosen utility suppliers.

Council Tax 

The Tenant is responsible for this charge and for registering with the relevant local authority.

Inventory

It is usual for an inventory check to be carried out at the start (“check-in”) and at the end (“check-out”) of every tenancy, by a professional and independent inventory company, on behalf of both the Landlord and the Tenant. The inventory is to provide a basis for any claim to be made for cleaning, missing items, breakages or unreasonable damage, which may occur during a tenancy. It also helps to protect a Tenant from any unreasonable claims by the Landlord.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme 

As per Government legislation, all Tenancy Deposits have to be registered with one of three different schemes. All deposits that we receive are registered with ‘The Tenancy Deposit Scheme’ who act as a third party. In the rare occasion that there is a dispute at the end of a Tenancy, the scheme help to find a mutually satisfactory conclusion for all parties concerned.

Increased Deposits

For people taking up Tenancy in a property which allows pets or/and smokers, it is quite usual for the Landlord to ask for an increased deposit. It is entirely up to the Landlord to charge what he/she deems appropriate.

Insurance

Tenants are required to obtain appropriate accidental damage to landlords fixtures and fittings insurance at the outset of their tenancy. Click here for Tenants Insurance .

Things to Know:

Rent is due on the anniversary date of the Tenancy start every month, this may be a deciding factor when in discussion about Tenancy start dates.

Rent is payable every calendar month by Standing Order only - forms are provided to Tenants for the completion of bank details.

All maintenance issues/problems with the property MUST be reported to either the Landlord in cases where we are not managing the property or to us as the agent.

We are reliant on third parties to assess/fix maintenance problems and we do not manage contractor’s diaries. However we do always endeavour to attend to problems within 24 hours.

All applicants over 18 must complete an application form and sign the Tenancy Agreement as a named Tenant.

Where we do not manage the property, we will provide contact details for the landlord.