Guidance For Prospective Tenants
Welcome to Pattinson Rentals. Pattinson Rentals is
the specialist rental division of Keith Pattinson Ltd. Dedicated to the letting
and management of residential properties throughout the North East. Our headquarters,
based in Newcastle, are managed by highly proficient staff ready to offer you a
quality service in all aspects of this complex market.
Please browse through our extensive property lists to help you find the ideal property for you.
Once you have selected a suitable property contact any of our branches to arrange
a viewing appointment.
Getting Started
Having found a suitable property each person 18 or over will need to complete a
Tenancy Application Form. This asks for full personal details including name, age,
marital status, details of resident children, pets, details of adverse credit history,
previous tenancies, employment history in the last 5 years, a character referee,
bank details, and authorisation to carry out a detailed credit history search. A
'Holding deposit' of around £300 will be required whilst references are checked.
This will normally be deducted from the initial monies due at the start of any tenancy.
References
Referencing simply seeks to establish in all respects whether a person is a suitable
prospective tenant. References will be required from an employer, present or previous
landlord/ agent (if applicable) a character referee, and bank details for each adult
applicant. A landlord/agent may require an applicant to provide a Guarantor who
will also be referenced.
Rental Costs
Assuming all references are satisfactory and the landlord accepts the application
a date will be set for signing the tenancy agreement, and a breakdown of the 'initial
monies' payable in advance. These will include:
One months rent paid in advance
- Damage Deposit (Equal approximately to one or two months rent. This is held to settle
claims for damage or breaches of tenancy)
- Administration Fee
- Less 'Holding Fee'
All the above costs must be paid before you sign the tenancy agreements. These sums
are referred to as 'initial monies', and must be cleared funds e.g. Bank Draft,
Credit/Debit Card, or cash. Personal cheques will not be accepted as payment in
respect of initial monies.
Tenancy
An Assured Short-hold Tenancy is used for all tenancies with a term of usually 6
or 12 months. It is important to note that a tenancy is legally binding once it
has been executed. As such it is important that tenants read through the agreement
prior to signature so that everyone understands their obligations. Ask any questions
to clarify anything that you are unclear on. Once signed it is important that all
documents relating to the tenancy are retained in a safe place.
Once the 'initial monies' have been received in cleared funds and the tenancy agreement
signed keys to the property will be released to you.
As indicated most tenancy agreements are for a term of 6 or 12 months. However they
can be extended after that date until either the landlord gives 2 months notice,
or the tenant 1 months notice from a rent day. The initial Assured Shorthold Tenancy
will automatically continue as a Statutory Periodic Tenancy with the same terms
and conditions as the original tenancy unless notice to quit has been served by
either the Landlord or tenant. This Periodic Tenancy will then continue until either
the Landlord serves the tenant with 2 months notice to quit or the tenant serves
the landlord with one months notice to quit. This form of tenancy can continue for
as long as it suits both parties. Alternatively a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy
for a specific period with terms agreed by both parties can be entered into.
Damage Deposit
Your deposit is held against any repairs, replacements or cleaning needed to restore
the property to its original condition at the end of the tenancy. It cannot be used
as rent at any time. Where we manage the property, we hold your deposit in a separate
client account. We do not pay interest on deposits. If your landlord manages the
property he will hold the deposit, so contact him for repayment.
Future Rent Payments
Rent is always paid a calendar month in advance. You will normally be required to
set up a standing order from your bank to the landlord for future rent payments.
Please note that all standing order payments must be made 2 days prior to your rent
due date to allow for clearance. We can assist you with this matter.
Where a number of tenants share occupation of a property each tenant is 'jointly
and severally' responsible for the whole rent so that they are all equally liable
for any non- payment of rent by one or more of their co-tenants.
Inventory
An Inventory and Schedule of Condition of the property, its contents, furniture,
fixtures and fittings will have been prepared either by the landlord or agent in
advance of the tenancy commencement date. It is important that you take care in
agreeing the Inventory and Schedule of Condition at the start of the tenancy as
it will form the basis of any claim for damages, by the landlord, at the end of
the tenancy. Any costs will be deducted from your deposit & an itemised statement
and cheque will be usually sent within 2 weeks, unless estimates are required which
may delay proceedings.
Safety Regulations
All properties on our list comply with the current furniture, and gas safety regulations.
You will be given a copy of the Gas Safety Certificates when the tenancy agreement
is signed.
Tenant's Obligations
You should be aware that responsibility for the property rests with the tenant during
the tenancy. It is extremely important that any gas or electrical problems are reported
immediately and that the property fully secured when you leave it unattended at
any time. During the winter it is essential that steps are taken to prevent freezing
of the water and heating systems.
If you have a maintenance or repair issue do not instruct a contractor directly,
it may be covered by guarantee, insurance or maintenance agreement. Please contact
Pattinson Rentals as soon as possible if we manage the property, otherwise contact
your landlord. The details of who to contact are on the front of your tenancy agreement.
The Agent's Obligations
The obligations of Pattinson Rentals will vary depending on which of the services
we contractually provide to the Landlord:
- 'Tenancy Only' i.e. Purely let the property
- Let and fully manage the property
You will be advised which of the above apply prior to your tenancy commencing. Should
you require any further details regarding a specific property please contact either
your local branch or Pattinson Rentals.
Quarterly Property Visits
All properties either fully or partially managed by Pattinson Rentals will be subject
to regular visits by a Property Inspector. The purpose of these visits is to check
the condition of the property, garden maintenance, and the manner in which the tenancy
is being in conducted generally. It will also give the tenant an opportunity to
raise any issues they wish to bring to the attention of the agent. A mutually agreeable
appointment will always be made in advance with the tenant.
Utilities
It is important that once you have signed a Tenancy Agreement you contact the gas,
electricity, and water companies to set up an account, and establish a connection
to the service. Tenants are reminded that they are responsible for payment of the
provision of all the services to the property and we cannot guarantee that services
are 'ON'.
When the property is partially or fully managed by Pattinson Rentals gas and electric
meter readings will be taken at the inventory and 'check-out' stages, and we will
notify the companies of the commencement and termination dates of the tenancy, your
name, address, and meter readings. This ensures that you are not responsible for
any previous tenants' bills and equally prevents your bills becoming a new tenant's
responsibility.
Council Tax
It is the tenant's responsibility to pay the Council tax direct to the local authority.
Television Licence
The tenant is responsible for the television licence regardless of whether or not
a television is provided by the landlord.
Insurance
The tenant is responsible for insuring their own personal effects and furniture
as this is not the landlord's responsibility.
Remember
If you have any questions, however small, regarding the letting of a property please
do not hesitate to contact us at either your local branch or at Pattinson Rentals.