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 'Renting a
Property' online search facilities 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 £150 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.
|