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Tenants


Moya Bowerman

Moya Bowerman
Associate Director - Lettings

We are here to help you find your new home and make the whole process of moving in as easy as possible for you.

A step by step guide to renting a house

Finding a Property to Rent

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To find the home that meets your needs we interview our applicants and use the criteria provided to match you to suitable properties. You can also search for properties on our website here.
When you have found a property that you may be interested in, contact our team at Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings and we will endeavour to arrange an appointment that suits you. When viewing your chosen properties, you will be accompanied by one of our experienced staff. They will be able to share local knowledge with you as well as answer any questions you may have relating to the property.

Securing a Property

All documentation and processes will be explained to you to ensure you fully understand the legal implications before signing a tenancy agreement. Our tenancy agreements have been drafted carefully and will state which type of tenancy you have and responsibilities of the parties.
Once you have found a suitable property, a payment of one weeks worth of rent is required to indicate your commitment to the property. If your application is successful this payment will be held against tenancy commencement expenses. If your application is unsuccessful due to adverse information, we will deduct application costs. It is only upon receipt of your application deposit (and satisfactory references being obtained) that you will be considered the prospective tenant.
We will take up references on behalf of our client, the Landlord, which may include a bank reference (check with your bank for charges), a credit reference, an employer/accountant reference and a previous landlord reference (where applicable). Once acceptable references have been received and approved, a date will be agreed for the commencement of your tenancy.
Where a guarantor is required, each guarantor will need to complete an application form and undertake a credit check before any tenancy can be considered. The guarantor will also have to sign the deed of guarantee at least 24 hours before the tenancy can proceed.

Before You Move In

It is your responsibility to insure your personal possessions.
Before your tenancy commences you will be required to pay a security deposit equivalent to five weeks worth of rent. The deposit is either held by Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings as stakeholder or passed to the Landlord. The deposit is held against any damages or expenses arising during your tenancy and will not be released until the property has been vacated, all rent has been paid and we have agreement from both parties. No interest is payable to either party.

Before any tenancy begins all occupants over 18 years old (except permitted occupiers) will be required to sign a Tenancy Agreement setting out the Landlord and Tenant obligations. Please ensure that on the day agreed all tenants allow enough time to complete this process thoroughly. A draft tenancy agreement is available for prospective tenants to read prior to the commencement of a tenancy.

You will be able to move into your property on the date that has been agreed once all of the tenants and any guarantors have signed the agreement and all initial monies have been paid. See fees.

The initial monies due will have been detailed in the confirmation letter and must be paid in cleared funds i.e. bankers draft, building society cheque or debit card.

Please note that we do not accept payment by cash or credit card. Sorry, no exceptions whatsoever.

Depending on your Landlord’s requirements, an inventory and schedule of condition of the property, its contents, furniture, fittings and effects will be prepared. This will be checked and agreed with you at the property at the commencement of the tenancy. This is a service designed to help protect you and one which you will have paid for and it is therefore of the utmost importance that you take care in agreeing the Inventory and Schedule of Condition at this stage as it will form the basis for any claim for damages, by your Landlord, at the end of the tenancy. At the end of the tenancy the Inventory and Schedule of Condition will be checked again, the cost of which is borne by the landlord.
All rent is payable in advance by standing order. Should you wish to alter the rent due date, this should be arranged before the tenancy commences. All standing order payments should be made 3 days prior to your rent due date to allow for clearance.

Once You Move In

It is important, once you have signed the tenancy agreement that you contact all utility providers. Meter readings should be taken on the commencement date of your tenancy.
It is the responsibility of the tenant to pay the relevant Council Tax directly to the Local Authority.
Should the tenant wish to make an amendment to the tenancy there will be a charge of £50 (inclusive of VAT). However, if the amendments requested require detailed works, we are entitled to charge for our reasonable costs incurred and you will be notified of these charges at the time of the request.
All properties managed by Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings will be subject to regular visits. The purpose of these is to check the condition of the property and the way in which the tenancy is being conducted generally. A mutually agreeable appointment will always be made in advance.

Obligations

The obligations of Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings will vary depending on which service we provide for the Landlord. We will advise prior to your tenancy commencing which service the Landlord has secured on your property choice. Where we are not responsible for management, we will provide you with contact details for your Landlord.
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act (Amended) 1985 the Landlord implicitly undertakes to carry out certain covenants relating to repair and maintenance for the property. The obligations of the Landlord will be clearly set out within the Tenancy Agreement.
You should be aware that responsibility for the property rests with the tenant during any tenancy. It is of particular importance that any gas or electrical problems are reported immediately. The property should be left fully secured when you leave it unattended at any time. During the winter months, necessary steps must be taken to prevent the freezing of water and heating systems. The obligations of the Tenant will be clearly set out within the Tenancy Agreement.

General Advice

We ensure that all gas appliances are safety checked annually and you will be provided with a current gas safety record at the start of your tenancy and on renewal of the certificate (where applicable). All furniture provided by the landlord will comply with current regulations. We also ensure that all electrical appliances are safety checked every 3-5 years depending on the valid electrical installation condition report instructions and you will be provided with a current certificate at the start of your tenancy and on renewal of the certificate. All furniture provided by the landlord will comply with current regulations.
When you pay a deposit, your Landlord or Agent must protect it using a government authorised tenancy deposit scheme. Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings are members of the The Dispute Service Ltd. This will ensure that you receive your deposit back when you are entitled to it and provide a simple dispute service if required. Within 30 days of paying your deposit your Landlord or Agent is required to give you details about how your deposit is protected. This includes the contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme and details relating to dispute at the end of the tenancy.
Hobbs Parker Residential Lettings reserve the right to erect ‘Let By’ boards for a short period of time at the start of each new tenancy period for marketing purposes.

Tenancy Extensions

The landlord may request to renew the tenancy for another year meaning a new Tenancy Agreement will have to be signed. There is no cost involved to the tenant.
The Landlord may renew your tenancy for another 12 months as per above and they may also wish to include a rent increase.
This will be a rolling on contract, everything in the agreement remains the same but with no fixed term, meaning you can give a months notice at any point or your landlord can give their two months notice at any point. There is no cost involved to tenants.
Same as the periodic tenancy above, however, the landlords may wish to do a rent increase, this will be served via a section 13. There is no cost involved to the tenant.

Emergencies

Please call our office on 01233 506240 as soon as possible. Our office hours are 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 4.00pm on Saturday.
Please see our Emergency Guide For Tenants where you will find useful information of what to do in an emergency when our offices are closed.

Vacating the Property

  • Ensure you have no remaining rent that is due or any other remaining fee costs to the landlord or agent.
  • Check your Tenancy Agreement and any extra clauses that are your responsibility to carry out before you vacate the property such as professionally cleaning the carpets or leaving the oil tank at the level of your tenancy start date.
  • If you have rented a property that is full or part furnished, make sure you inspect and check for any damages that may have been caused, to get this repaired or replaced if necessary.

You will need to ensure that all the relevant companies are booked in time and the works are carried out before the check out appointment. If works have been carried out make sure the receipts/invoices are passed to the check out clerk or agent.

To guarantee the property is left in a good condition and no areas are left in a worse condition, it is a good idea to refer to your Inventory and Schedule of Condition report, (a copy of your signed inventory would have been posted to you) to double check what areas may need addressing, if any. If there is anything you are unsure of, you can always call us on 01233 506240.

Please click here to see our vacating guidelines to ensure the property including the garden(s) are left in a good condition and any areas that you altered are made good.

  • Check the property against the condition report from when you moved in and read through the vacating guidelines.
  • Return all keys handed to you at the sign up.
  • Notify all utility companies that you are moving and make sure meter readings are taken on your tenancy end date.
  • Re-direct your mail.
  • Provide your landlord or agent with your forwarding address.
  • If there is anything you are unclear on, make sure you call your letting agent or landlord to clarify.

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Further information

Residential Lettings Fees for Tenants

Fees

Initial Rent in Advance: One month’s rent. Security Deposit: Equivalent to five weeks rent. We ...
Read More
Help for Tenants with Emergencies

Help for Tenants with Emergencies

Important Note: A repair is only an emergency if the health or safety of the ...
Read More