To Apply - Guide to tenants

Allan Lettings Guide for Tenants

Finding the right property is important for you, and is therefore inportant to us.  All our properties can be viewed at www.rightmove.co.uk . We strive to match you to properties which fit the criteria you have set out for us, and hope that we can find the perfect home for you.  If you cannot find what you are looking for we are happy to add you to our mailing /match system and inform you when suitable properties become available just email: info@allanlettings.co.uk

Found a property that would be perfect for you? -  When you have found the property for you pop into the office and collect an application form or alternatively download the form from our contact us section on our website. The application form will ask you to provide information about yourself as well as provide 3 contact references character reference, employee reference and previous landlord reference. At the bottom of the form it asks you to bring proofs with you including, passport/driving licence, proof of current address, 3 x months bank statements, and proof of income this should include 3 months wage slips. This information will allow us to carry out a credit check.

What if I have a poor credit rating? - A poor credit rating will not always stop you from renting a property. Advising your agent about potential problems can help make the process of poor credit much easier. If a landlord is informed that there may be a potential problem, it is not such a worry when the credit report comes back negatively. Looking at the option of a guarantor will make an application like this much stronger.

 What is a guarantor? - A guarantor is a person that is agreeing to cover your rental payments each month if you default on a payment. Guarantors will be credit checked and referenced in the same way and will be required to sign documents to confirm they are willing to stand for you.

 What is the cost of moving?- At the application stage a payment of a holding deposit is required, a holding deposit is equal to 1 weeks rent and this will be taken at the time the application is submitted, to secure the application for the property. This money will be deducted from the final deposit balance. Then one months rent in advance and four weeks deposit Eg 1 x Months Rent £400.00 1 x Holding deposit £92.30 (which goes towards your deposit) 4 weeks deposit £369.23 in total 5 weeks deposit will be protected within the deposit scheme.  

 Where is the deposit protected? - We use the deposit scheme mydeposits. This is a government approved scheme where the funding is held within an approved client account for the duration of the tenancy. If damages/deductions can not be agreed at the end of the tenancy they are referred to the mydepsoits adjudication service, where an independent panel decide how the disputed funding should be split.

What is an inventory? - An inventory is a record of the condition of the property before move in. 

Who do I go to for property repairs? - This depends on whether the property is managed or let only. You will be given this information on sign up. With our managed properties our office is open 9-5 Monday-Friday. Managed tenants will be provided with an emergency out of hours number for one of our directors.  If the repair is necessary due to misuse or neglect the tenant will be responsible for repairs.

 Can my landlord come into the property when I’m not there? - The landlord/ agent must provide you with notice before entering the property. For visits this would be arranged in advance.

 What should I do if I want to re- new my contract? - Your contract can be extended by agreement with your landlord. This will involve renewing your deposit in line with any newly signed contracts. The cost of the deposit renewal is £50.00inc VAT.

 What do I do if I would like to add someone else to the agreement? - If you would like to add someone to the contract they will then become jointly and severally liable for the property. This means that you and the other person become jointly responsible for the rent and bills for the property. The additional person will need to collect an application form and go through the application process and the contract will then be renewed  at a cost of £50.00inc VAT.

 What happens if I’m part of a joint tenancy and my partner/ sharer decides they want to leave? - Firstly we would check that you are able to afford to cover the rent yourself based on information provided on your initial application. It may be necessary to update financial information we currently have on file the contract will then be renewed  at a cost of £50.00inc VAT.

 What should I do if I want to hand in notice? - One calendar months notice is required from your normal rent date. Notice can be submitted after the initial agreed period has expired and providing that no further fixed term has been agreed. When we receive notice you will be sent our check-out procedure notes which will give you guidance on how the property should be returned back to us.

Check-out - What happens when I/we leave the property? - When the property is clear and cleaned throughout, keys are returned we will then complete a checkout, this will include taking photo's to prove the condition the property has been left in. Relevent details would be taken at checkout in order to return the deposit providing the checkout is satisfactory.