Tenant FAQs

One Month's Rent - is paid in advance. (Unless additional upfront rent has been agreed). 

Security Deposit - Calculated as one months rent + £25. EG If the rent is £500, the deposit will be £525. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

The Holding Deposit will go towards the move-in monies (rent) on successful applications. See Holding Deposit section below. 

Normally we advise that all properties for rent are taken “as seen”, i.e. in the condition that they are when you first view.  If when you view a property there is anything you'd like to ask for the Landlord to carry out prior to taking a Tenancy, then you should make those requests to the branch who will negotiate with the Landlord on your behalf.  This could be painting a room or carpet cleaning for example.

It is imperative when you are looking for a property to rent, that you make a fully informed decision.  You should consider the rent amount, is it affordable for you?  Is the area where you want to be?  Are you looking for furnished or unfurnished?  Will the landlord accept pets, or children, or smokers or Housing Benefit tenants if you require this?

When you register as an Applicant with Pattinson, we will take as much detail from you as we can to ensure that we match you with the most suitable properties we have available, based on the criteria you provide.

Once you have viewed the available properties and made your choice, we will then guide you through the referencing and move in process.

Holding Fees are calculated on a sliding scale:

• Rent of £100 - £199PCM = £20 Holding Fee
• Rent of  £200 - £299PCM = £45 Holding Fee
• Rent of £300 - £399PCM = £65 Holding Fee
• Rent of £400 - £499PCM = £90 Holding Fee
• Rent of £500 - £599PCM = £115 Holding Fee
• Rent of £600 - £699PCM = £135 Holding Fee
• Rent of £700 - £799PCM = £160 Holding Fee
• Rent of £800 - £899PCM = £180 Holding Fee
• Rent of £900 - £999PCM = £200 Holding Fee
• Rent of over £1,000PCM = £230 Holding Fee

The holding fee is NON REFUNDABLE in the eventuality that the potential tenant(s) withdraw from the process, fail the right to rent checks, provide false or misleading information, or fail to provide requested information within 15 days of the holding deposit being paid. The holding fee will go towards the move-in monies (rent) on successful applications. 

A damage deposit, sometimes called a bond, is an amount paid by a tenant and held as security for the property being returned in the same condition as it was initially rented (save for fair wear and tear).

If you rent your property on an assured shorthold tenancy that started after 6 April 2007, the  damage deposit must be registered in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme.

We register the damage deposit with The Dispute Service and hold it in a secure client account for all managed properties.  For all Tenancy Only properties, the landlord must register the damage deposit themselves with a relevant scheme.  

On your agreed move in day, you will attend the branch local to your property to sign paperwork, pay your initial monies and collect your keys.  You are then legally bound by the terms within the Tenancy Agreement and are officially a tenant of the property.

When you get to your property, you should check that everything is working correctly and take meter readings for your gas, electric and water if applicable.

If you are in a Pattinson fully managed property, you will receive in the post, an Inventory for your new home.  This will detail the contents and condition of the property at the start of your tenancy.  You should check this carefully and make any amendments as you see them.

Your Property Coordinator will then contact you direct to introduce themselves, and arrange a mutually convenient time to come and conduct a Check In of the property with you.  They will check any amendments to the inventory, and assist you with any queries or issues you may have.  A copy of the amended inventory (if applicable) will then be sent out to you by post.  You will need to keep this document safe as you will require it when you decide to leave the property.

If your property is let by Pattinson on a Tenancy Only basis and managed by the landlord, then they will need to provide you with an inventory as this is not provided by Pattinson on this service level.

Usual utility bills such as gas, electric, water and council tax are all payable by the tenant.  This also applies to any digital/broadband/satellite services.

If you are dealing direct with the landlord, then you would contact them for any issues or emergencies.  If you are in a Pattinson fully managed property, then at move in you will be provided with the details of our maintenance department and 24 hour emergency helpline numbers.

When you sign your Tenancy Agreement in the branch, you will be asked to sign a standing order mandate.  This will have either our or the landlord's bank details on so that the standing order can be set up to automatically pay your rent into the relevant account.  We will then send this onto your bank for you.  Please note that this is not a direct debit and we cannot remove money from your account.  It is the tenant's responsibility to ensure that the standing order is received and set up by the bank and we cannot do this on your behalf.

Tenants may give 1 month's notice to vacate, in writing, as long as the vacation date is not before the end of the initial term of the tenancy as per the dates on the Tenancy Agreement.

Tenants of fully managed properties are automatically contacted in the fifth month of the tenancy to see what their intentions are.  If you wish to renew or extend, we will then contact the landlord on your behalf to discuss options.  If you deal with the landlord direct, then you would need to contact them to discuss renewal or extension options.

Once you have given notice, then  you will be required to hand back the property in the same condition as when you first took the tenancy (save for fair wear and tear).  If you are in a fully managed property, then you will be contacted by your property coordinator to arrange an appointment on the final day of your tenancy to conduct a check out.

At check out, the inventory from the check in will be checked against the current condition of the property and notes taken relating to any differences/dilapidations/damages.  A full report will be taken including photographs.  

This report is then sent to the landlord for their comments and we negotiate between you and the landlord in regards to any deductions to be taken from the damage deposit.  Once this is agreed, then the damage deposit can be returned/not returned/split as applicable.

If there is a dispute at end of tenancy, the relevant Tenancy Deposit Scheme will adjudicate the claim based on the facts provided, such as the Inventory at start and end of tenancy and any additional information and photographs provided.  Their judgement is then binding and the damage deposit will be returned/not returned/split as applicable.

All landlords must serve two months notice to regain possession as per the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. This notice must expire no sooner than the end of the initial term.