They will ask you if your are happy to do this as part of the application process. This means they can verify your income without needing to contact your employers by seeing your wages being paid into your account. Your information remains totally safe but the process is a lot quicker.
Right to Rent
We also have to check that you have the Right to rent a property in the UK, to do this we have to verify your ID including any Visas and immigration status. If you have a “share code” you can provide this and the ID can be checked online.
Guarantors
In some cases a Guarantor may be required. If this is the case the Guarantor will be referenced and subject to a credit search in the same way as the tenants and must be able to show sufficient income or savings to cover the rental payments should you default for whatever reason. They will remain your guarantor for as long as you stay in the property, unless you are able to be re-referenced to prove that they are no longer required.
Tenancy Agreement
When all the references have passed, and a moving date agreed a Tenancy Agreement will be drawn up ready for signing We use electronic signatures for our Tenancy Agreements so you can sign online via an encrypted email.
Important Documents
Before your tenancy commences you will be given copies of all the important documents relating to the property. These will include the following
The Government How to rent Guide
The landlords Annual gas Safety Certificate
The Electrical Installation and Condition Report
The Energy Performance Certificate
Details of who to contact if you have a maintenance issue
Payment of First Month’s Rent & Security Deposit
The first month’s rent, and Security Deposit will be paid online to Goodlord by bank transfer when you sign the tenancy agreement. We will provide you with bank details so that you can make the rest of your rent payments either directly to us or your landlord.
The deposit will be the equivalent of 5 weeks rent .
The Security Deposit will be held and protected by TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) .
Inventory, Utility Payments and Council Tax
Inventory
An Inventory will be prepared listing the contents and the overall condition of the property. you will be emailed a copy of the Inventory at the start of the tenancy. The inventory should be checked carefully, and adjustments made where necessary. Any amendments or additions to the inventory including supporting photos, returned to us within seven days of the commencement of the tenancy will be reviewed and taken in to account when you move out..
Utility Payments
Gas Electric, water and Council tax bills will be your responsibility in most cases. We notify the providers that you have taken over and they will contact you to set up your bills. However, it is advisable for you to also confirm this directly with the utility companies.
At the end of a tenancy the utility companies will be informed, and final readings passed to them. Again, it is advisable for you to let them know you have moved out so you can settle your final bill.
Telephone Connections
You will be responsible for setting up any accounts for internet, phone or media services, keep an eye out for special deals and offers as Goodlord can sometimes help you with this.
Pets
The landlord may agree for you to have Pets, however sometimes this is not possible due to the lease for the building. There may be other practical reasons why this is not allowed. If you want to have pets, these must be disclosed and permission obtained from the landlord before the tenancy starts.
In all cases, you will have to have the carpets cleaned to a professional standard and treated against infestation when you leave. We can arrange for this to be carried out and deducted from the Security Deposit unless you have made your own arrangements. If you make your own arrangements to have the work carried out a receipt must be provided.
Insurance
You are strongly advised to insure your own possessions. This is not the responsibility of the Landlord, nor will the Landlord’s insurance cover accidental damage to the property caused by you. Most Tenant insurance policies will cover you for accidental damage to the landlords’ property. You can ask us for further details.
Commencement of Tenancy
A date and time will be arranged for you to come into the office and collect the keys. All paperwork and payments must be done before the keys can be released.
Property Inspections
If we are instructed as managing agents for your property, we will contact you to arrange to come and check the property every few month, this gives you the chance to tell us if there are any issues that the landlord needs to look at, and helps us to let the landlord know he has a happy tenant looking after their property.
If you need any further information or advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01903 608080 or info@matthewanthony.co.uk
