Renting quality properties available now and in the near future.
Please contact us with your requirements. Property search service is available if you are not familiar with the area. We have extensive knowledge and would be happy to assist you in your property search.
Whoever you rent a property with, this general guide to renting will cover many of the typical questions asked by tenants.
How much do I need to ‘budget’ in addition to the rental payments?
To reserve a property you will probably be asked for a holding deposit of £200. This is to guarantee (subject to satisfactory references) that the property is secured for you whilst agreements are drawn up. The reservation fee is deducted from the total deposit taken with the first month’s rental.
As a general guide, the renting deposit is between 4-6 weeks rental monies and is taken along with the first month’s rental.
Your letting agent will usually charge an administration fee for preparing agreements. If you change your mind about renting a property after it has been reserved you may be charged a cancellation fee.
I am from overseas – what do I need to know?
The renting process in the UK may be different from that of your own country. You can use Google’s free translation service at www.google.com/language_tools.
Who pays for utilities – are these included in the rent?
Normally the tenant takes over all of the utilities including water and council tax, which are not included in the rent.
What is a letting agent's role for the tenant?
The agent is employed by the Landlord so the agent will act in their best interests. However professional member of The NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) letting agents will abide by best practice rules that work for both landlord and tenant. Using a NAEA letting agent, such as Chester Place, ensures that you sign a property AST agreement that clearly sets responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.
Who do I deal with - the letting agent or landlord?
The letting agent will deal with the property viewing's, references, agreements and getting you moved in to your rented property. From that point onwards, your point of contact depends on whether the Landlord pays the agent to ‘manage’ their property. If the property is ‘managed’ the tenant will normally report any repairs or queries to the letting agent, otherwise the tenant and landlord must liaise directly with each other.
Who should arrange and pay for repairs at the property?
The landlord should arrange the property repairs. However tenants are responsible for breakages which would normally be deducted from the deposit unless otherwise agreed. A tenant should report repairs and breakages as soon as they occur.
What privacy am I entitled to – when should I expect visits from the landlord or agent?
A tenant’s privacy is respected by gaining prior agreement to inspect a property during the tenancy. As a general guide, whilst you are renting, the letting agent or landlord will visit the property at least twice. This subject is normally addressed in the tenancy agreement.
How long does a rental tenancy last?
Most rental tenancies are for 6 months renewable after. Where the Landlord has instructed or accepted a break-clause, this normally provides a right for either the Landlord and/or the Tenant to terminate the Agreement with 2 months notice from the Landlord and 1 month notice from the Tenant. This notice has to be served in writing by the party giving notice.
What type of rental agreement is used - can I change or add to it?
An Assured Short hold Tenancy (AST) is used for the majority of residential tenancies. This is normally a standard contract between Landlord and Tenant.
Can I rent a room to somebody?
As any guide to renting will explain, the names of all of the occupiers must be declared on the Assured Short hold Agreement (AST). If a tenant sublets to a person who is not detailed on the AST, they will be breaking the terms of the agreement.
If I want to leave the property can I give notice at any time during the tenancy?
If you leave earlier than the agreed end of tenancy date you will be liable to pay the rent until the end of the tenancy. However, if a new tenant is introduced to the property, you can stop paying rent but should cover the agent’s fees for marketing and preparing new agreements.
When do I get my rental deposit returned?
Many deposits can be returned on the last day of the tenancy, and must be returned within a maximum of 10 days if there is no dispute.
After the property has been inspected at the end of the tenancy the deposit will be returned minus any deductions for damages. Letting agents encourage landlords to make the process as fair as possible by having a professional inventory agent examine the property. A report is prepared at the beginning of the tenancy recording the condition of the property, and then again at the end of the tenancy.
Does it matter which letting agent I rent through?
To ensure you receive a professional service it’s best to choose to rent a property via a NAEA, such as Chester Place
A NAEA agent works to professional standards that work well for both landlords and tenants: a tenant renting via a NAEA agent can expect that the Landlord will carry out safety checks e.g. gas, electricity and furnishings. The correct tenancy agreement will be used, ensuring that responsibilities are clearly set down and privacy of the tenant is adequate.
We hope you found this Guide to Renting useful
About the renting process:
Finding a property
Some properties are not listed yet on the web site as we have new instructions every day. Contact us with your requirements and we will assist you promptly.
Providing reference details for renting
Before we can draw up the Tenancy agreement we will need to take references including a credit check. We have to satisfy the landlord that you are able to pay the rent and have a good character reference.
You will need the following reference details for renting:
- Full name, date of birth, nationality
- Your address history for the last 3 years
- Proof of address: utility bill or mobile phone statement
- Income/occupation: details of your income sources and employer
- Bank account: details of the bank account to be used to pay the rent
- Your next of kin: details of who to contact in an emergency on your behalf
- Name of previous landlord/managing agent (if any)
- Contact details of someone who can provide a character reference for you
- If you’re a student you will need to provide proof of your student status
About Guarantors
In some circumstances we will ask for a Guarantor to underwrite the rent. Typically this is the case when the tenant is a student, is self-employed or has only been employed for a short while. A Guarantor has to be a homeowner, have a clean credit history, and be in employment or in receipt of pensions.
Guidance for overseas tenants
Many people from overseas successfully find a property to rent with Chester Place process.
You may find it helpful to translate into your own language by Google’s free translation service at www.google.com/language_tools
Deposits, fees and rental payments:
Deposit with the first rental payment
We take 4-6 week's worth of rent as deposit along with your first month’s rental payment. In addition we charge an administration fee of £120 per application
How to pay the rent
By Standing Order (our preferred method)
Standing Order dates must be set up for a minimum of 5 days before the rent due date stated in the tenancy agreement. This will allow time for the monies to be first transferred into the Chester Place Client Account and then into the Landlord's account.
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We regret that we cannot accept any credit or debit card payments.
Arranging utilities
We will the transfer of the council tax, water, electricity and gas into your name. The arrangement in almost all cases is that the Tenant has to pay gas, electricity, telephone, water and local authority council tax. We will the transfer of the council tax, water, electricity and gas into your name.
Provision of keys
We ask the Landlord to provide a set of keys for each tenant renting the property. Under no circumstances are locks to be changed by the Tenant without prior approval of the Landlord. Tenants must ensure they return all keys to Chester Place at the end of the tenancy period, to avoid deductions from the deposit money for replacing any locks.
Chester Place retains a set of keys which may in emergencies be borrowed by the Tenant. .
Moving into the rented property
We will meet you at the property to proceed with the ‘Check-In’. We will read the gas, electricity and water meter (if any) and check the inventory. We also ask the Landlord to leave you any instruction or appliance manuals in a binder for your reference..
Your safety under gas, furnishing and electrical regulations
All gas appliances and associated pipe work must by law be maintained in a safe condition and be checked for safety at least every 12 months by a suitably qualified engineer. Before moving into the property, you must be handed a copy of the last record of inspection. Also, a record of these checks should be in the property. Similarly, instructions for these appliances should be in the property.
All furniture must have a label clearly showing that it is fire resistant. Any new or additional furniture being put into the property must also comply with these regulations.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994: Electrical appliances must be checked before you move in to the property and a certificate will be given to you.
Contact During the Tenancy
Unless your rented property is ‘unmanaged’ by Chester place you are welcome to contact us at any time and an emergency number will be provided on the ‘Check-in’ day.
Contents of Tenants' Information Pack for renting:
- Contact numbers you'll need for Chester Place
- Copy of the signed Tenancy Agreement
- Property Inventory
- Gas safety check (if applicable)
- Electrical Portable appliances testing Certificate (if applicable)
- Any service contracts relating to property
- Standard safety regulation for safe use of appliances
- Guidance notes issued to tenants
Visual inspections (‘Managed’ property only)
During the course of the tenancy, every three months, we may visit the premises you are renting to verify that the terms of the Tenancy Agreement are being complied with. We will write or telephone to you to make arrangements for our visit date. Provisions for these arrangements are included in the Tenancy Agreement.
Renewing your tenancy or moving out
If you wish to stay on in the property we seek approval from the Landlord and make any necessary arrangements. If the Landlord does not wish to renew the tenancy we can start looking for an alternative property to rent and should you wish to rent through us we do not charge any administration fees and could arrange your deposit to be transferred to the new property.
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