Agreeing the Let
When you find a property, before your sign anything you should:
- Look at the property – is it clean, what kind of condition is it in and is anything broken?
- Find out what furniture, furnishings and other equipment are included in the rent.
- Ask about any management and maintenance costs.
- Find out what your responsibilities are, such as cleaning or replacing broken furnishings.
Health and safety requirements
Your should check and get assurance or certificates from the landlord that the property complies with these regulations:
- Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998, as amended in 1993.
- Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1998.
- Smoke Detectors Act 1991 (if the property does not have smoke alarms ask if they can be installed).
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
- In addition, you are advised to check whether electrical appliances have been PAT tested (Portable Appliance Testing) by the landlord.
References
Once you have found a property, you will need to agree the terms and conditions with the landlord. For these purposes you will need to supply the landlord with relevant information and ensure you sign the necessary paperwork required for renting the property.
Becoming the tenant usually takes anywhere from a few days to three or four weeks.
Before you sign anything, the landlord or agent should provide you with a clear statement of rent, tenancy, deposit and any costs of setting up the tenancy. This includes the administration costs of getting your references. The letting agent will get references by contacting either:
- Your bank
- Credit referencing agencies
- Current and previous employer(s)
- Current and previous landlord(s)
If you are self-employed you may need to provide copies of trading accounts and an accountant’s reference. Even if someone is going to be your guarantor you will still need references.
Tenancy agreement and deposit
Once the letting agent and landlord are happy with your references you can sign the tenancy agreement. Before signing, read and is necessary get professional advice on any documents you are asked to sign. Check the paperwork mentions the following important things:
- Length of tenancy – most lettings are ‘Assured Shorthold Tenancies’
- How often and when to pay rent, as well as other costs.
- What the deposit is – usually either a month’s rent or the equivalent of six weeks rent.
- How the money will be held. Letting agents hold their money in a special account called a ‘client account’ where it will be protected.
- Is your deposit covered by Tenancy Deposit Protection? Under new legislation a landlord is required to ensure that deposits they hold are covered under a scheme from 6 April 2007. Sibley Pares are qualified to join Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents which ensures that your deposit is protected during the tenancy; and that any dispute over its return will be resolved quickly and independently without further cost. For more details visit the TDSRA website – www.tds.gb.com
- How you will get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy.
- Your landlord must, by law, give you an address in England and Wales for serving your notice.
- How much, and who will pay for, work at the end of the tenancy, such as checking the inventory, renewing the agreement or cleaning the property.
- The contact details of the manager responsible for the property.
- Whether gas, electricity and other services have been connected and that meters have been read.
- You will not be discriminated against because of sex, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status or disability.