Our guide to renting

Get registered

We want to find the right property for you. Register with us either on the website, by email or by calling in to our office. As soon as you are registered we will be able to match you up with suitable properties. Let us know as soon as possible if you want to view a property.

Once you have made an offer (which must be in writing) and it has been accepted by the landlord you will need to pay a holding deposit of no more than one week’s rent. This will be held in our clients account and offset against rent. This does not guarantee the property will be let to you. If references prove unsatisfactory or you withdraw for whatever reason, the holding deposit will be returned to you, less referencing and administration fees.

If the landlord withdraws for any reason other than unsatisfactory references, the whole of your holding deposit will be returned to you.

References

Each prospective tenant will need to complete a reference application form. We will also require each prospective tenant to come in to our office with their passport or driving licence (so that we can take a copy) and a copy of a current utility bill, Tates use independent referencing companies to carry out financial checks on prospective tenants.

Initial payment

Before the tenancy can start we will need one month’s rent in advance and five or six weeks’ deposit to be held on our dedicated Clients Deposit account and registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Rent Payments

You will need to set up a standing order to pay your monthly rent which needs to be paid on or before the rent due date.

Guarantor

If a guarantor is required, the guarantor will be referenced and proof of ID will be required in the same way as the prospective tenant. The guarantor will also be required to sign the tenancy agreement

Tenancy Agreement

All prospective tenants are named on the tenancy agreement and are jointly and severally bound by the terms of the agreement. The agreement is a legally binding contract between landlord and tenant.

Utilities

Most tenancy agreements require the tenant to pay for gas, electricity, water, telephone and broadband and Council Tax, unless otherwise stated. Tenants should contact the utility companies directly to ensure that the supplies are transferred into their name and are not disconnected.

Deposit

Tates will hold your deposit for the term of the tenancy in a dedicated Clients Deposit account which is protected by law. The deposit will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and tenants will receive a certificate to prove this.

Tates, unless otherwise requested, will organise for an independent inventory clerk at the start of the tenancy to check the contents and decorative condition of the property. The tenant and landlord will receive a copy of this report to sign and approve. At the end of the tenancy this document will be checked against the actual state of the property after your tenancy and any discrepancies will be highlighted in the Checkout report. This report will be sent to the tenant and landlord to agree any dilapidations that may be recorded. The landlord pays for the inventory check at the beginning of the tenancy and the tenant pays for the check out report at the end of the tenancy. Under the terms of stakeholding, no funds can be released to either party without the other’s consent. Tates will require written consent from the landlord and tenant to release the deposit.

The deposit is refunded to the tenant at the end of the tenancy minus any deductions for damage or default (if any) after the final inventory has been carried out. These deductions need to be agreed by both landlord and tenant. If no agreement is reached, the Dispute Service will become involved and provide a dispute resolution service. For further information, please see www.thedisputeservice.co.uk

Renewal of Tenancy

Two to three months before the tenancy is due to end, Tates will be in touch to find out whether you wish to renew your agreement or leave. If you wish to stay, Tates will negotiate the renewal terms with your landlord.