When you have found a suitable property to rent you will be asked to complete an application form. We will then take up the following references on behalf of our client the landlord:
1. Bank your bank will charge a nominal fee for this service
2. Employers / Accountant
3. Personal not a relative
4. Previous Landlord if applicable.
5. Credit Check
A payment to indicate your commitment is required when you submit your application and is held against expenses. This payment is non-refundable should your application be unsuccessful or withdrawn. Please note that this money in advance does not constitute a tenancy or offer of a tenancy but is required as proof of your intention to proceed. Our current application fees are available on request.
2. TENANCY AGREEMENT
Before any tenancy begins you will sign a Tenancy Agreement outlining landlord and tenant obligations. Prospective tenants must be 18 years or over on the date of application. Additionally some of the properties listed may require a Guarantor prior to tenancy. Most tenancies are for a minimum period of six months. It may then be possible to negotiate a further period of tenancy with the Landlord.
Contracts
Contracts are NOT made between Tenants & Chamberlains. Contracts are made between Tenants and the Landlord. Chamberlains act as Agents only.
Administration Fee
Following a successful application for the tenancy of a property Chamberlains charge an administration fee of 75.00 + VAT for the first tenant and 25.00 + VAT for each subsequent tenant. The fee is payable at the start of any subsequent tenancy. For Student Tenancies the administration fee is 100 + VAT.
3. WHEN DO YOU SIGN AND WHAT DO YOU PAY?
Once acceptable references have been received and approved by the landlord a date will be agreed for the commencement of your tenancy. It is important that you sign the Tenancy Agreement and make the initial payment in advance of this date.
Initial Payment -
First Months rent
Deposit
Administration charges
The initial payment can be paid by online transfer bankers draft building society cheque or card payment. Personal cheques and cash are not acceptable. All bankers drafts or building society cheques must be made payable to Chamberlains Lettings Limited.
4. DEPOSIT
Once you have chosen the property you would like to rent you will need to pay a deposit equivalent to one months rent plus 100 or 300 whichever the greater. When your tenancy finishes a final inspection will be carried out by either Chamberlains or your landlord and providing the property has been left in a clean tidy and undamaged condition your deposit will be repaid in full. No interest will be paid to tenants on such deposits. All deposits must be in cleared funds before tenants move in.
5. RENT PAYMENT
All rent is payable in advance by standing order. Should any action be taken by Chamberlains for late or non-payment of rent a charge will be levied. Your rent will become due on the date of your tenancy commences and on the first day of each month thereafter.
Should Chamberlains have to send letters for rent arrears an administration charge of 25-00 + VAT will be charged to tenants. Tenants are jointly and severally responsible for all the rent of the whole property for the whole period. Should an individual leave then a replacement must be sought to take over subject to satisfactory references otherwise the original tenants and other remaining tenants will become liable for the rent.
Should you experience any financial problems during the course of the tenancy it is essential that you contact Chamberlains immediately.
6. INVENTORY OF CONTENTS AND SCHEDULE OF CONDITION
An inventory of the property contents furnishings and fittings together with a schedule of condition will normally have been prepared. This will be checked and agreed with you at the commencement of your tenancy and a charge will be made to you for the checking of the inventory at the commencement of the tenancy. It is important that you take care in agreeing the inventory and schedule of conditions at this stage as this document will form the basis of any dilapidations claim by your landlord at the end of the tenancy. At the end of the tenancy the inventory and schedule of conditions will be checked again the cost of which is borne by your landlord. In your own interests we strongly recommend that you are present at both the check-in and check-out.
7. TENANTS OBLIGATIONS
You should be aware that responsibility for the property rests with the tenant during any tenancy. It is particularly important that when you are absent from the property at any time it is fully secured and that during the winter months the necessary steps are taken to prevent freezing of the water and heating system. In leasehold properties mainly flats and maisonettes the tenant will be bound by the rule and regulations affecting all residents within the block contained in the head lease.
8. THE AGENTS OBLIGATIONS
The obligations of Chamberlains will vary depending on which of the following services we provide for the Landlord:
a Let only service for the property
b Full management of the property
You will be advised which of the above apply prior to your tenancy commencing but should you need further details regarding a specific property please contact your local branch.
9. KEYS
Chamberlains or the Landlord may hold additional keys to the property.
10. PROPERTY VISITS
All properties managed by Chamberlains will be subject to regular visits. The purpose of these is to check the condition of their property its cleanliness garden maintenance and the way in which the tenancy is being conducted generally. A mutually agreeable appointment will always be made in advance with the tenant. Please note that a charge will be made to the tenant for any abortive visits of 25-00 + VAT.
11. UTILITIES
It is important that once you have signed a Tenancy Agreement you contact the local gas electricity and water companies. They may require a deposit in advance of the service being connected. With regard to telephones it is British Telecoms policy to carry out a credit check on potential customers before activating a line. Where the property is managed by Chamberlains meter readings will be taken at the check-in and check-out.
12. TELEVISION LICENCE
You are responsible for the television licence regardless of whether or not a television is provided by the Landlord.
13. COUNCIL TAX
It is the tenants responsibility to pay the Council Tax direct to the local authority. In the case of students where they may be exempt from payment of council tax it is their responsibility to inform the local authority.
14. INSURANCE
The tenancy of the property has been granted to the named Tenant upon the condition that the tenant holds insurance to protect up to 2500 against accidental damage caused by the Tenant to the Landlords fixtures and fittings at the property as described in the inventory.
15. BURGLARY
Should the property be burgled during the tenancy you should contact the Police and Chamberlains immediately.