Information for Prospective Tenants
This is a guide to help you through the journey of renting a property. We make every effort to make this process as smooth and stress free as possible for all parties, it is therefore important that you read and are aware of processes for a tenancy application and the obligations and costs on you as a tenant.
Found a Property with Martin & Wheatley?
Once you have viewed and identified with a property you should make your interest known at an early stage with an offer. Key points we will need to know when putting forward an offer are; who will be the tenants and occupiers, the occupations of the applicants, rent offered, intended length of tenancy, any break clauses required, any pets, any adverse credit history, special requests etc.
Any discussion or correspondence at this stage is subject to application, references and contract.
Applying to Rent a Property
Once the Landlord has accepted your offer, you will need pay an application charge equivalent of 1 weeks rent, by bank transfer. This will be refunded against move-in rent monies if your tenancy is successful. Details for transfer at bottom of page. This application charge is not refundable should you decide to withdraw from the application, your references prove to be unsatisfactory or you have given mis-leading information. You will then be asked to complete an on-line credit reference application form – one application is required for each tenant. We use a 3rd party referencing agency. This may require details of previous landlords and their contact details, employer’s details, previous addresses, salary, bank accounts and will involve a credit search. Their criteria is that individual or joint incomes should be at least 2.5 x the rent.
Applicant ID required
UK Citizens – Proof of address for where you have resided in the UK over the past three years; Bank statement, utility bill or council tax statement plus a copy of valid passport
EU Citizens –A copy of valid passport and proof of address from one of the countries of origin.
Non EU Citizens – A copy of valid passport and Visa/Work Permit.
If the tenancy does not proceed either because of your withdrawal, your failure to provide requested information or you receive an unsatisfactory reference, the application charge will not be refunded.Tenancy Agreement
Once we have received satisfactory references we will proceed to drawing up your tenancy agreement. Please take time to read the contract carefully. Our tenancy agreement is drawn up by leading housing act solicitors under guidance of OFT and ARLA and is deemed fair to both parties. This is a legally binding document. If you are in any doubt over the contents or any terms please do not hesitate to take independent legal advice.
Your tenancy will normally require you to pay all utilities including council tax, water, electricity, gas, telephone etc. You are responsible for the insurance of your own contents as well as any other accidental cover you may wish to take out.
Pre-tenancy Payment
When terms are agreed we will send you a payment request, this will include the first terms rent and deposit. This is payable as cleared funds on or before the tenancy start date by bank transfer or a banker’s draft. We do not accept cash or personal cheques. Please note, failure to provide full and cleared funds by the commencement date of the tenancy will mean we cannot release keys and may delay occupancy.
Future rent payments should be made by standing order in accordance with your tenancy agreement. We will provide standing order forms if requested.
Deposit
The Security Deposit may be held by us as Stakeholder without payment of interest. The deposit is covered by the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) and you will be issued with the relevant documentation for this. You must inform us if anyone else is paying this deposit on your behalf as they will be listed on the documentation. Where the landlord holds the deposit it will be noted on the contract. Where the rent is less than £50,000 per annum, the deposit will be 5 weeks rent. Where the rent is over £50,000 per annum the deposit will be 6 weeks rent.
Inventory Check-In and Check-Out
We encourage all landlords to have a professional inventory compiled with a clerk to check you in and out of the property. This is at the landlords expense. You should be present for both check-in and check-out or you may choose to have your own professional representation.
Early Termination
Your contract is binding for the term however if you need to terminate the contract before the end of tenancy date outside of a break clause please inform us immediately. We can seek the Landlords permission to remarket the property.
If a new tenant can be found, at the landlord’s discretion and only where tenancy agreements are signed by both parties and monies received in full then you can be released from your obligations. Before release a charge will be levied which may include reasonable charges incurred by the landlord in the re-letting the property, including agents costs, marketing, additional referencing. Please note you are liable for all tenancy obligations until a successful tenancy takes occupation even in the event that you vacate for a prospective tenancy.
Further costs may be incurred during the tenancy as per the contract
These terms are for Housing Act Tenancies. Charges and procedures vary where the tenancy for a company or Non-Housing Act. Details available on request.