Renting

Guide to Renting a Property for Tenants

When you have found the property that you would like to rent you will need to fill in an application form with Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents. All applicants will be asked to fill out an application form and provide documents to support referencing. Please ensure that all sections of the form are completed and you have provided the documents requested for referencing. You will also have to pay a refundable holding deposit of up to one weeks rent. When we have received both your application forms, documents requested for referencing and the refundable holding deposit of up to one weeks rent the property will be reserved for you whilst reference checks are completed.

 

 

 

Letting Fees and Tenant Protection Information:

As well as paying the rent, you may also be require to make the follow permitted payments:

Permitted Payments:

Before the tenancy starts payable to Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents:You will be required to pay a refundable holding deposit of a maximum of one week's rent to reserve the property. The holding deposit will become non refundable if: You withdraw your application for the property after references have been applied for. You fail the right to rent check. You provide a false and misleading statement on your application that causes your references to fail.

Tenancy Deposit of a maximum of 5 weeks rent

During the tenancy payable to Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents:

Tenant request for variation of tenancy agreement: Payment of £50 inclusive of VAT if you want to change the tenancy agreement.

Unpaid Rent: Payment of interest will be payable on any late rent payments where payments are more than 14 days overdue. Interest will be payable at an annual percentage rate of 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate calculated on a daily basis starting on the 15th day after the rent due date.

Lost Keys / Security Devices: Tenants will be liable for the actual cost of replacing and security devices and any lost keys. If this loss results in locks needing to be changed the tenant will be responsible for the actual cost of a locksmith, new locks and replacement keys and security devices.

Early Termination of Tenancy: Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early and the landlord has agreed to this. The tenant will be responsible for the landlords costs in re-letting the property as well as any rent due under the tenancy until the start date of any replacement tenancy. These costs will not be more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding under the tenancy.

During the tenancy payable to providers if permitted and applicable:To pay promptly to the authorities to whom they are due, council tax, water and sewerage charges, gas, electric, television licence and telephone and other communication charges (if any) relating to the Property, where they are incurred during the period of the tenancy or subsequent periodic tenancy, including any which are imposed after the date of the Tenancy Agreement (even if novel in nature) and to pay the total cost of any re-connection fee relating to the supply of water, gas, electricity and telephone if the same is disconnected due to the Tenant's act or default.

Tenant Protection: Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents is a member of Client Money Protect, which is a client money protection scheme and is also a member of The Property Ombudsman, which is a redress scheme.

 

 

 

Guarantors

A guarantor may sometimes be required. The guarantor is usually a close associate or member of the applicant’s family who is of sufficient means to provide a suitable reference's. This person will be required to sign a legally binding document, which could make him/her liable for the applicant’s obligations under the tenancy agreement. This could make the guarantor liable for the rent for the full term of occupancy as well as the full cost of any damage if the tenant breaches the terms of the tenancy. Each guarantor will need to complete an application form and be referenced before a tenancy can be considered. The guarantor will also have to sign the deed of guarantee before the tenancy can proceed.

 

 

 

Restrictions

Some landlords may put restrictions on such as the following: Pets, Smokers

 

 

 

Timescales

It usually takes a minimum of 7 - 14 working days before you will be able to move into your property. We will do our best to accommodate your moving date however, no guarantees can be made as your application is subject to references. We will notify you as to whether your application has been successful and keep you informed during this process. If your application has been approved, we will agree a move in date.

 

 

 

Rent and Deposit Payments

The first month’s rent and the bond must be paid as cleared funds in to Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents client account before the keys can be released at the start of your tenancy. The holding deposit will be credited towards this first payment. Your initial payment can only be made by bank transfer. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHEQUES, DEBIT CARD OR CASH. Sometimes you may be required to pay six months rent and the bond at the start of the tenancy.

We will ask that you set up a monthly standing order facility for the total amount of rental on that property each month.

 

 

 

Tenancy Deposit & Inventory

A tenancy deposit of up to five weeks rent will be held either by Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents (if the property is to be managed by ourselves) or the Landlord as a security against any breach of the tenancy terms by the tenant (such as damage to the property or its contents, loss of rent or other unexpected costs). This deposit is protected by: My Deposits (Tenancy deposit scheme). Details of the scheme and the dispute resolution provisions will be issued within 30 days of receipt of the deposit. The tenancy deposit is usually equivalent to maximum of five weeks rent and is returnable at the expiration of the tenancy, subject to a final inspection and full inventory check and any breach of tenancy terms by the tenant (such as damage to the property or its contents, loss of rent or other unexpected costs).

You should check carefully the condition of the property and its contents when you move in with respect to the inventory. The inventory is an important record which is used to assess any damage, dilapidation or losses during the tenancy – which may lead to deductions from the deposit being made at the end of the tenancy. If you find anything that is not in good order, then we ask you to report it to us within the first two weeks of moving-in so that the problem can be put right or marked on the inventory.

 

 

 

Tenants Consent Insurance

As a tenant, you will be responsible for the safe-keeping of the property and its contents. You may wish to consider obtaining insurance for your own personal effects and for the contents and property belonging to the Landlord which you have agreed to look after.

 

 

 

Maintenance and Repairs

Tenants are requested to bring any disrepair, damage or defect in the premises to the attention of the agent as soon as possible. In the event of emergency repairs please contact Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents on 01772 614433 if the property is to be managed by ourselves or contact your landlord if your landlord is managing your tenancy.

If the property is being managed by Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents we have a online reporting system for repairs and maintenance. We have a commitment to resolve issues quickly and reliably. This online system helps us to receive the information that we need in order to understand your problem. It also allows you to upload photos of your problem that may help our contractors to bring the right tools and equipment to fix your problem. To access the system please use https://lawrence-rooney.fixflo.com. Repairs for non-emergencies that are reported online are likely to be dealt with more quickly than those that are reported by telephone or by email. Emergencies must continue to be reported both by telephone office hours 01772 614433 out of office hours to be confirmed at beginning of tenancy and by https://lawrence-rooney.fixflo.com.

 

 

 

Utilities

Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents will ring gas, electricity and water suppliers notifying them of meter readings at the commencement of the tenancy. We will also write to the local authority for council tax purposes.

It is the tenant's responsibility to arrange services (normally telephone, gas, electricity, television licence, satellite TV, internet, water and council tax). Applications for electricity and gas supply need to be made directly to the supplier. You should also contact the telephone service provider for connection of your telephone and internet service. Lawrence Rooney Estate Agents or your landlord cannot accept responsibility for any costs incurred with connection of supplies.