Information for Tenants
Renting a home is such an exciting step which can offer flexibility and independence. There are so many factors to consider when searching for a property, but our renters’ guide will ensure you will know what to look out for and the questions to ask along the way.
CHECKING YOUR FINANCES
Before you start house hunting, you will need to work out how much you can afford each month. The average monthly cost of rent is 35% of your regular wage but remember to budget for amenities such as gas and electricity, water, phone and internet connections, TV licence and Council Tax (unless you are a student). Our referencing company Canopy will usually ask you to prove your income is 2.5 multiplied by the month’s rent (before deductions). Remember to budget for food, household items and any other regular outgoings. You will also need to pay a Dilapidation’s Deposit, this should be no more than five week’s rent.
PRIORITISE WHAT’S IMPORTANT
Draw up a list of the non-negotiables you need from your new home:
- Is parking important?
- Do you have any pets? Whilst a Landlord cannot reasonably refuse pets, some head leases do not allow pets. Please ask for advice.
- How many bedrooms do you need?
- Are you taking furniture with you?
After listing your vital requirements, prioritise what else you are looking for in a rental property. Other factors such as storage, outdoor spaces and the speed of local broadband connections may also be important. Once you have drawn up a list, we will be able to clarify anything that is unclear about the properties you are interested in.
CHOOSING A TRUSTED AGENT
Quilliam have been helping renters search for properties in Brentford for the last twenty-six years. Most of the team live in Brentford too so we are well placed to help you find a wonderful home. Quilliam are members of Propertymark, the UK’s foremost professional and regulatory body for Estate Agents. This means we operate at the highest professional standards and are required to undertake regular training and auditing to keep us up to date with complex legislation and best practice. We are also backed by Propertymark Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme which means that you and your money are safeguarded. You will not get this protection if you rent directly from a landlord or through an unregulated letting agent. When you have found the perfect property, we will ensure that all required legal obligations are met. The property will have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which will be D rating or above, an Electrical Installation Condition Report Certificate, and a valid annual gas safety check, if required. Your deposit will be safely protected with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The contract you sign will be a Periodic Tenancy which is open ended that will continue monthly which will be fully up to date to ensure it complies with all the current legislation, and particularly the Renters’ Rights Act. Please ask one of our negotiators to show you an example of this if you feel it may be helpful All your Tenancy paperwork and accounts will be available to view online 24/7 through our PropertyFile portal. You will even be able to log maintenance issues and check progress online
SIGNING THE CONTRACT AND MOVING IN
Right to Rent and Anti Money Laundering Regulations
Before you sign your contract, you will be asked to provide some identification such as a passport or driving licence and that you have the Right to Live in the UK. All landlords or letting agents in England are required to do this for all prospective adult occupiers to ensure they have the legal Right to Rent. If you have a time-limited right to rent, we will need to conduct follow-up checks
The Contract
Once you have the agreement, remember to read it carefully from start to finish. The most common type of contract we issue is a Periodic Tenancy Agreement. This type of contract usually names all listed tenants as ‘jointly and severally liable’ – which means that all listed tenants are legally responsible for all the rent The Tenancy Agreement contains a lot of crucial information, required notice period and areas where you are responsible as a tenant. As an example, it should tell you who is responsible for sourcing contents insurance. Before signing the contract, you should ensure that your non-negotiable requirements have been met and that anything that was agreed verbally is reflected in the contract We will email you and the landlord the Tenancy Agreement to be signed electronically If you are unsure about any part of the Tenancy Agreement, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
Know Your Rights
Quilliam will always provide:
- A copy of your new home’s Gas Safety Certificate (if the property has gas)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- The Electric Installation Condition Report
- Your Deposit Protection Certificate
- The Prescribed Information (this may take a few days)
- Any licence issued by the local authority (if the property is subject to any form of local authority landlord licensing scheme).
Fees
The Tenant Fees Act introduced in June 2019 permits only limited charges. Please see our ‘Fees to Tenants’ leaflet 2019 for full details.
Deposit
Your deposit will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, and you will receive a certificate within 30 days of the tenancy start date. If your landlord manages the tenancy, they will protect your deposit and send you the certificate.
Professional Inventory
In most cases, a Landlord will have a professional Inventory carried out to record the condition of the property before a new tenancy begins. The contents of the inventory will be available for you to view and comment on, should you feel necessary. A detailed inventory means you should only be liable for any damage which has occurred during your stay and could save you money Once all the paperwork has been completed, you can collect the keys from us and move into your new home!
