There are many things to consider when you are looking to rent a property and our helpful team at The Keenor Estate Agent will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have, however here is a brief outline of the renting process.
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Budgeting
Before you start looking for a property to rent it is important to establish a budget which will not only include the rent but also council tax, water rates, electricity, heating and contents insurance. If you are on a low income and have dependents you may qualify for some assistance from your Local Housing Authority so it may be worth enquiring.
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Find A Property
Once a budget has been established, it is time to start looking for a property so make sure you have a list of requirements to suit your needs i.e town/rural location, number of bedrooms, parking and/or garage. If you see a property you like then make an appointment to view quickly to avoid disappointment as there is a shortage of rental properties available nationwide at the moment.
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Applying For a Property
Once a suitable home to rent has been found, then it is time to fill out the application forms and pay a holding deposit of one weeks’ rent to demonstrate your commitment to the property whilst referencing checks take place. If the referencing is successful and you later enter into a tenancy agreement, this holding deposit can be included as part of the first month’s rent. This holding deposit will also be refunded in full to you if for any reason the Landlord decides not to let the property to you OR an agreement is not reached by both parties within 15 days from the date the holding deposit was paid. Please note that the Agent is within their legal rights to retain the holding deposit if a tenant provides false or misleading information which reasonably affects the Landlord’s decision to let the property to them, they fail a right to rent check, withdraw from the proposed agreement or fail to take reasonable steps to enter into an agreement (i.e. failing to respond to reasonable requests for information required to progress the agreement).
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The Next Step
Once the application has been accepted and the terms have been agreed then we will draw up a six month Assured Shorthold Tenancy as defined under the Housing Act 1988 for a minimum fixed term of six months, thereafter periodic (unless otherwise stated). A copy of the draft Tenancy Agreement is available on request. On the signing of the Tenancy Agreements tenants will be expected to pay their deposit of a month’s rent and a month’s rent in advance. All rents are payable per calendar monthly in advance (unless otherwise stated). Rents quoted exclude water, sewage charges, gas, electric and Council Tax which are payable in addition to the rent by you the tenant (unless stated).
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The Deposit
Once the deposit (usually 5 weeks rent) has cleared we will hold the monies in our client account for the duration of the tenancy and it will be protected under a Government Approved Scheme (My Deposits) in accordance with current legislation. All tenants will be given a Deposit Protection Certificate, Prescribed Information and an Information Leaflet explaining the scheme and the safe guards that are in place to protect your deposit for the duration of the tenancy.
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Move In
Before the tenancy we will take an Inventory with dated photographs as a record of the condition of the property which you will be asked to approve when we check you in. IN addition we will take the meter readings and inform all the relevant authorities of the change of occupier. You will also be asked to sign a Standing Order Mandate for future Rental Payments.
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Insurance
It will be the Landlords responsibility to maintain his own Buildings/Landlords insurance but all tenants are responsible for maintaining their own contents insurance.
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The Tenancy
During the tenancy either the landlord or a representative from The Keenor Estate Agent will carry out periodic inspections of the property in order to check for maintenance issues. You will be advised of our visit beforehand as we never let ourselves into a property without providing tenants with at least 24 hours notice. If the Landlord has chosen our full management service then we will be responsible for all property maintenance so all issues should be reported to us otherwise you should contact your landlord directly. You will be advised who you should contact at the outset of the tenancy.
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Notice
Under the terms of the Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement tenants are contracted to stay in the property for the initial six month term but can give one months written notice (minimum) on the fifth month to vacate the property at the end of the sixth month. If neither the Landlord or the Tenant give notice after the initial six month term then the Agreement naturally evolves into a Statutory Periodic Tenancy whereby the Landlord has to give two months written notice to end the Agreement and the tenant has to give one month’s written notice.
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End of Tenancy
At the end of the tenancy on the date agreed, we will make arrangements to check you out of the property including taking closing meter readings, informing all the necessary authorities of the change of occupier and checking the inventory. Once the landlord has approved the check out inventory and they are happy we will be in a position to refund the deposit to you.
The Keenor is a member of the CMP Scheme which is a Client Money Protection Scheme and is also a member of the Property Ombudsman, which a redress scheme. You can find out more details on both these schemes by contacting