Tenants

For Tenants

With a shortage of properties available to rent, we appreciate that finding a home can be stressful. Our experienced staff will take you through the process and will be helpful and supportive. They will arrange viewings and guide you through the necessary legal process in entering into a tenancy.

The Letting Procedure

Once you have seen a property that you would like to rent, each proposed occupier will be asked to complete a formal application form.

Reference checks will then be undertaken on behalf of Killens by an agency and these will normally include credit checks, current employment details, references and, if self employed, accounts and income details.

Identification documentation and proof of residency must be provided for each adult who will live in the property and Right to Rent and immigration checks will be carried out.

Once referencing has been completed and, assuming that all is in order, then there will be a need to enter into a tenancy agreement. This sets out the legal obligations of the Landlord and the Tenant and will be for a minimum period of six months. Our normal tenancy agreement is standard in nature.

Prior to your occupation of your new home, an inventory and schedule of condition will record the state of the property. This will determine whether you have satisfied your obligations at the end of the tenancy.

At the commencement of the tenancy, you will be obliged to pay one month's rent in advance together with a deposit equivalent to either four or five weeks' rent. All deposits are securely lodged by us with the Deposit Protection Service and will be repayable at the end of the tenancy if the tenant's obligations have been fulfilled.

Getting started

Seek an appropriate property and register with us using the form below.

INFORMATION FOR TENANTS

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Tenancy Agreement

This is an Agreement between yourself and the Landlord. It is legally binding and clearly sets out the terms and conditions and the obligations of both parties during the period of the tenancy. Most tenancies will be of a standard Assured Shorthold format and will run for a minimum period of six months and thereafter on a month to month basis or such other period as may be agreed between the parties.

Rent

Normally, the first month's rent Is required to be paid prior to the commencement of the tenancy. Subsequent rental payments should be made by standing order.

Deposit

When you start renting a home from a private landlord, you will usually pay a deposit. This is normally equivalent to four or five weeks rent. All deposits must be protected by law and we ensure that they are under the Deposit Protection Service. This scheme makes sure you'll get your deposit back when you move out if you looked after the property and paid your rent.

Referencing

All occupiers over the age of 18 wanting to rent a property need to submit a formal application, and will be named within the Tenancy Agreement.

References will be undertaken and these normally include credit checks, current employment details, previous Landlord/Letting Agents references, and if self employed, accounts and income details.

In accordance with legislation, identification documentation and proof of current residency must be provided for each adult and we are obliged to carry out Right to Rent checks to determine the immigration status of all prospective adult tenants before the start of a tenancy.

Schedule of Condition

Prior to the occupation of a property, a Schedule of Condition and Inventory of any contents at the property will be prepared. Tenants are provided with a copy at the commencement of the tenancy. This will form the basis of resolving any dispute relating to damage to the property or contents at the end of the tenancy.

Periodic inspections

Where properties are managed by us, they will be the subject to periodic inspections in order to confirm that you are complying with your obligations under the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. Normally, a visit takes place in the first month of the tenancy and every three months thereafter.

Utilities & Insurance

The tenant is usually responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs, unless agreed otherwise.

We also recommend that any tenant has liability and contents insurance in place as the Landlords policy will not provide cover.

Fees

In renting a property, the tenant may be liable for the following fees and charges:

Damage Deposit: 4 or 5 weeks rent
First months rent: payable prior to agreed check in date
Payment to change a tenancy agreement eg. change of sharer £50
Payments associated with early termination of a tenancy (landlord's loss or the agent's reasonably incurred costs)
Interest payments for the late payment of rent at 3% per day above Bank of England's annual percentage rate