Tenant's Guide
 |
|||
   |
Village Estates are pleased to present one of the area’s largest stock of available properties. By registering your requirements with us we can keep you informed of all new properties that become available and also ensure you do not miss out on any instructions we take on discreetly.
If you are a new applicant or somebody not familiar with the process when it comes to letting a property, see our step by step guide below which will get you on your way to a successful agreement.
Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Finding a Property
Letting a property is a financial commitment so think long and hard about what you can afford. Don't forget to budget for council tax and the cost of all utilities, which you'll normally have to pay for. Get yourself registered with us as we can send across market updates before they go to the masses and we will get in touch with you to find out any specific requirements you have. Also consider; how long you will need the property for, location, moving dates and how much space you'll need!
Step 2: Securing a property
At this point you'll need to make an offer which will usually consist of the monthly rental amount, length of contract, tenancy start date, and any special requests you may have. The rental market moves much faster than the sales market so if you see the perfect property, you may have to act quickly to secure it. Always be prepared with the relevant documents - a form of identification and confirmation of your address.
Step 3: Credit & Reference
You will be asked to provide references to your prospective landlord and letting agent to confirm that you have rented in the past without any major problems. You may also be required to provide extra detail such as landlord details for any property rented in the last 3 years, addresses from the last 3 years, confirmation of earnings per annum, evidence of any adverse credit in the form of county court judgement, bankruptcy orders or similar and account references and tax returns if you are self-employed.
Step 4: Deposit
Once the deposit is paid in full this deposit is held as the landlord’s cover for any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy. This deposit ultimately belongs to the tenant and the landlord has to show at the end of the tenancy that he is entitled to any funds for the cost of excessive damages, cleaning, loss of rent and potentially any unreported maintenance.
Step 5: Tenancy Agreement
A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are adhered to. All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. This may include such responsibilities as; you must tell your landlord if you are going away for longer than 14 days, you must not use the property as a business etc.
Step 6: Safety Regulation and Insurance
If you chose a licensed lettings agency such as Village Estates, it is our duty to keep up-to-date with the safety regulation to ensure that you rent a safe and comfortable property. We advise all our landlords on their legal responsibilities for keeping their tenants safe from harm, by making sure their property and its contents meet the UK’s legal safety standards. Insurance. Village Estates recommends you provide all information needed for both landlord and tenant benefits.
Step 7: Moving In
Once the tenancy agreement has been signed and cleared funds are in our client account, you are ready to move into your property on the start date agreed on the tenancy agreement. Keys can be picked up from our office and the property is officially your new home.
Step 8: Inspections and Maintenance
The property you are renting is a large investment for your landlord, so they will arrange visit days to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year. Of course, if anything breaks or needs repairing the landlord will visit the property more often to ensure the property remains in good condition. If Village Estates manages your landlord’s property we are committed to ensuring the property is well maintained and cared for. This is where we work together with you the tenant to ensure that all maintenance is reported immediately and that any small problems don't grow into a major costly repair to make your stay as comfortable and stress free as possible.
Useful Documents
Registered Name: Elstree Homes Ltd. Place of Registration: England. Registered Number: 9582754. Registered Office Address: 1 Waterside, Station Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4US.
VAT Number: 213056256. Trading As: Village Lettings Ltd. Privacy Policy | Complaints Procedure | TPO Certificate