A Guide to Renting a Property

As a tenant it is vital that you choose a letting agent that you can trust. As a licensed member of The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) we operate under strict standards of professional and ethical practice with complete transparency so that you avoid unwelcome fees or legal hiccups throughout your tenancy.

Narrow your search

• When you start the search for your ideal home it is worth considering your requirements:
• Think about the location you'd like to live in
• Consider your 'must have' list?
• What's your budget? Would you pay more for the right property?
• How long do you need the accommodation for? Is it a stop gap or a long term solution?
• When would you like to move in? Work backwards and start your search around six to eight weeks before this

Our expert staff know their areas and keep up with the trends of the local markets so we will be able to advise you on how to get the most for  your money in the location of your choice.

 

The rental market moves quickly so if you find your perfect property, we recommend that you act fast to secure it. We recommend always being prepared with the relevant documents such as a form of identification and confirmation of your address.

Once you have found the right flat or house and your offer has been accepted you will need to pay a holding deposit (usually equivalent to 1 weeks rent) in order to have the property removed from the market. This will be taken into account and credited to the 5 weeks' deposit for tenancies where the rent is under £50,000 per annum / 6 weeks where the rent is over £50,000 per annum for Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

 

You will be asked to give references to your prospective landlord and letting agent to confirm that you have rented in the past without any major problems. As part of this process Admiral Property Partnership will require:-

• An employment reference.
• A bank reference confirming that you would not enter into a financial commitment you could not fulfil.
• A previous landlord’s reference.
• Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords are now required to check that tenants have the right to live in the United Kingdom. You will therefore be required to attend our office with an acceptable Identification document, a copy of which will be taken by us. We will detail this in our offer letter.

Once the deposit is paid in full, the property is secured. This deposit is held as the landlord's cover for any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy.

If your tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, Admiral Property partnership will register your deposit with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both parties are adhered to. All relevant parties will be required to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant.

Tenants often overlook the need to take out contents insurance when renting a property. We recommend that you consult an insurance broker in this respect.

The inventory is a comprehensive report detailing the contents and condition of the property at the point that you move into it. By both parties agreeing that the inventory is correct at the start of the tenancy, any risk of disputes at the end of the tenancy will be minimised. We recommend therefore that you thoroughly check the inventory before you sign.

If Admiral Property Partnership are managing the property on behalf of the Landlord we will arrange to visit the property periodically, typically one every six months to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order. Of course, if anything breaks down or needs repairing then the we or the landlord will visit the property more often to ensure the property maintains in good condition for you to live in. We or the landlord will advise you on any maintenance issues and if action is needed either by yourself or the landlord- depending on whether the issue is a long term fault or through 'wear-and-tear'.

Once you are nearing the end of your tenancy period you will need to decide whether your wish to extend your stay or move out (remembering that you will be required to give two months' notice in writing).

a. Staying put
If you do want to renew the tenancy, we will liaise with you directly and send you all the necessary paperwork to complete. Remember the landlord at this stage will be within his/her rights to serve notice on your tenancy if they need the property back.

b. Moving out
We will arrange a check out with an independent inventory company (carried out on the last day of your tenancy) to ensure the property is left in an appropriate condition - at this point, you'll hand back the keys. If the landlord manages the property, you'll need to liaise with them directly in order to arrange a time and date to meet there, complete a check out and hand the keys back.

Deposit
After serving your notice you'll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.
Pardoning normal wear-and-tear, if the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, getting your deposit back should be no problem.

Here's what to do next:

• Have the property'professionally cleaned, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture.
• If it is your responsibility, tidy up the garden and clear away any rubbish
• Return all of the keys
• Remove all of your personal belongings
• If you need any help either before after your tenancy call us and we'll be happy to help.

Please also see our Tenants Fees.