At Ganges to Thames, we know the lettings market inside out and have put together a guide that will provide you all of the information you need to rent a property and how we can we can help you throughout the whole process.
Do I deal with you or the landlord directly?
Your dealings will be with our website or the landlord based on the package chosen by the landlord. To make this easy our agent will be dealing with you in most cases from the viewing to the completion of the process. The landlord will contact you directly to discuss regarding the property as we send your details to them if the landlord executes their own viewings.
3. Click Book a viewing on the property details page.
By doing this you will be taken to My Area, and then you will have to add the property to your portfolio wherein you have the option to pick a convenient timeslot.
How do I make an application?
Through the reference procedure. Once you have found an apt property, you need to complete the application meant for reference. We use the credit referencing agency to take up the references mentioned below:
Employment or Salary Confirmation
Personal References from Landlord
Students (Guarantor or proof or funding).
Self-Employed (References from Accountants)
Holding Deposit
A holding deposit will be required in order to reserve the property and remove it from our availability list. The holding deposit will be deducted from the first month's rent or deposit 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:
Cancel any advertising for the letting
Tell other applicants that the tenancy has been taken subject to satisfactory references
Prepare a letting agreement
Take up references
Carry out credit checks
Tenancy Agreement
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 tenancies run for a period of twelve months, we will contact you at the end of the tenancy to see whether you wish to renew your agreement for a further period and 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 to read very carefully, should any questions arise regarding this legal document we advise you to seek independent legal advice.
Payment
Once both parties have agreed on the moving date and the landlord approves the references, all the parties have to sign the tenancy agreement after which the initial monies mentioned in the full will become due less than any deposit paid previously.
A deposit typically equals between 4 and 6 weeks of rent based on the rent per year. Rent for the first month will be given in advance and it is calculated as per calendar month. These funds must be cleared prior to the tenancy. Payment can be made through cash or direct deposit to the bank account of the client.
Rental Payment
Rent will be paid to us or to the landlord directly based on whether we collect rent on behalf of the landlord or are instructed to manage the property fully.
Maintenance and repairs
Landlords instruct us to fully manage their properties, in doing so we will inform you earlier before your tenancy commences. If there is any fault within the property or appliances it should be reported to us and we will handle the problem as quickly as possible. Failing to report the problem may turn towards you. So you are requested to report any problem that needs our attention.
Notice to end a tenancy
You are required to give us at least a month’s time notice to terminate your tenancy. And it should be given through writing your intention to do so if it is not specified in the tenancy agreement.
Insurance
The responsibility of your properties is completely yours. You have to ensure that you have sufficient insurance on your content. The landlord is not liable and is not accountable for any loss or damage to the property of the tenant.
Inventory
An organized inventory and check-in report can protect both the landlord and tenant, providing a clear description of the state and contents of the property prior to the beginning of the tenancy.
Condition of the property as well as its possessions at the end of the tenancy then compared to the report as part of an inventory report. The inventory clerk will give an opinion as to whether any damages that have occurred in the course of the tenancy can be attributed to the tenant, fair wear and tear or to the landlord due to needed maintenance.
It is in the landlord's best interest to ensure that inventories are created for the properties that they have. In the event of a worst-case scenario in the event of you being in court, the judge is likely to prefer an objective, impartial inventory created by a third party not connected to both the tenant. Inventory prepared by landlords can be seen as unbalanced.
Usually, an inventory of the property's condition, furnishings and fixtures and effects is made by the landlord or an inventory manager appointed by the landlord prior to the commencement of the tenancy. The tenancy will be inspected and signed by the landlord and tenant prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Deposit returns
After your tenancy is over at the end of your tenancy, an inspection of the property will be performed by the landlord or an independent inventory clerk supervised by the landlord.
The landlord can make deductions from the deposit to cover cleaning costs or damages, as well as unpaid rent (this is determined by checking the inventory check-in against your check-out) and if you are in agreement to this, the deposit can be returned back to your bank account.
If you are not happy with the proposed deductions, seek to come to an agreement with your landlord. If this is not possible the landlord will have to contest the decision through the Deposit Protection agency which will have an adjudicator who is independent to review the evidence and decide what percentage of the deposit is due to you or the landlord.
Tenants' obligations
The obligation to maintain the property is the responsibility of the tenant for the duration of the tenancy. Ensure that their property is secured and that during winter months the proper steps are taken to avoid the property from being frozen. heating and water system.
Property Inspection
If we are designated to act as the managing agent for the property, we will conduct quarterly inspections to check the condition of the property, and ensure that everything is in good order. We will make arrangements together at an agreed-upon and agreed-upon time.
Council Tax & Utilities
It is the responsibility of the tenant to notify the utility companies about their occupation of the property prior to the start of their tenancy as well as to make payments for council taxes to local authorities. Students, who might be exempt from paying taxes on councils, will be accountable to inform authorities Local Authority of this. Any time VAT is applicable, it is applied at the current rate of VAT.
