From 1.6.19 tenants are not required to pay agent fees on tenancies which commence on or after that date.
As soon as a suitable property has been found, you will need to complete reference application forms. We utilise the services of a credit-referencing agency to take up the following references, here is an example of just a few of the references sought:
A holding deposit equivalent to 1 weeks rent will be payable on application.
This is in order to reserve the property and remove it from our availability list. The holding deposit will be deducted from the first months rent due, should the tenant withdraw from the proposed letting, through no fault of the landlord or the agent, all or a proportion of the 'Holding Deposit' will be retained in order to cover any reasonable costs (which will be outlined in full). None of the Holding Deposit will be retained should the Tenant's withdrawal be due to a breach of the proposed letting agreement by the landlord or managing agent.
The holding deposit shows good faith on the part of a prospective tenant enabling the landlord to take further action in the confident knowledge that the applicant is serious and fully committed to the property:
For example:
All monies are required at the start of the application process once the offer has been verbally agreed to secure the property for you subject to satisfactory references being received on behalf of all applicable tenants.
A guarantor may be required, they must be a homeowner with proof of home ownership and preferably in employment.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SHOULD YOUR REFERENCE APPLICATIONS BE UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE YOU HAVE OMMITED TO INFORM US OF ADVERSE CREDIT THEN THE HOLDING FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
It is imperative that you disclose all relevant facts that may adversely affect your reference outcome, prior to entering into the above. It may save you money.
Both the Landlord and tenant/s will be required to sign a tenancy agreement prior to the tenancy commencing, the agreement outlines both tenant and landlord obligations.
Generally, most shorthold tenancies will be initially for six months, if the property is under our management we will contact you shortly before the end of the tenancy to see whether you wish to renew your agreement for a further period, or carry on under a periodic (month to month) basis, and we will liaise with the landlord to organise the documentation. It is important you note that the agreement is made between landlord and tenant, we act for the landlord only.
By legal requirement we will issue you with a sample template agreement which we ask you read very carefully, should any questions arise regarding this legal document we advise you to seek independent legal advice.
Once a moving date has been agreed and references have all been approved by the landlord, the tenancy agreement will need to be signed by all parties and the initial monies in full will become due less any holding deposit previously paid:
This is made up of the following:
The above monies need to be in a cleared form before the tenancy can commence, payment by means of either a banker’s draft, cash or paid directly into our client bank account and showing as cleared.
We do get instructed to fully manage some most of our landlord's properties, if this is the case, with your tenancy we will inform you prior to your tenancy commencing. If we are managing, then any faults or problems within the property will need to be reported to us and we will deal with the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. Failure to report an ongoing problem may turn the onus onto you; please report any problems you feel need attention.
Rental payments are always made by standing order from the tenant's bank account to the landlord's bank account, with the exception of managed properties whereby the rental payment is made to us.
To terminate your tenancy subject to term, you will normally be required to give us at least one month notice in writing of your intention to leave, unless otherwise specified in your specific tenancy agreement. The notice is taken from your next rent due date.
InsuranceThe responsibility for your belongings is down to you, you should ensure you have adequate contents insurance, the landlord accepts no responsibility and cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to tenant's possessions.
A well-prepared inventory and check-in report will protect landlords and tenants alike, providing an accurate description of the condition and contents of a property at the start of a tenancy.
The condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy is then compared back to this report in the form of a check-out report. The inventory clerk will also provide an opinion on whether any damage that has arisen during the tenancy is attributable to the tenants, to fair wear and tear, or to the landlord as required maintenance.
It is in a landlord's interest to ensure that inventories are prepared for properties that they own and rent out. Lilac will always provide the landlord of a fully managed property with our own inventory and dated picture disc; a copy will be held at our office. Fully managed tenants will also receive a copy of the written inventory. Let only landlords may purchase this service at an extra cost, but it is not the tenant’s right to have the dated picture disc which remains the property of the landlord and/or Lilac Lettings & Sales Ltd, unless we choose to provide this freely at our own discretion. Copy discs may be available to purchase if required, and they must be ordered and paid for separately at your own free will. It is not a condition of your tenancy that you have these.
Normally an inventory of the property condition, furniture and fittings and effects will be prepared by the landlord, or an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord prior to the tenancy commencing. The tenancy is checked and agreed between the tenant and the landlord at the tenancy commencement.
When your tenancy ends, an inspection of the property will be carried out, either by the landlord or an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord.
The responsibility for the property lies with the tenant during the period of tenancy, always ensure that the property is fully secured and that during the winter months steps are taken to prevent freezing of the water and heating system.
If we are instructed as managing agents for your property, we will carry out periodic inspections to assess the condition of the property and that everything is being kept in a satisfactory condition. We will always arrange this with you at a mutually convenient time.
It is the tenant's responsibility to inform the utility companies of their occupation of the property at the commencement of the tenancy, and to pay council tax to the local authority. Students, who may be exempt from the payment of council tax, are responsible for informing the Local Authority of this. However, Lilac will undertake to take meter readings and notify the relevant suppliers, and council tax at the start of your tenancy, this is a free service and no responsibility for mistakes or omissions will be accepted.
Wherever applicable VAT will be charged at the current VAT rate.
