Tenants Guide to Renting

Our Aim Is To Find You The Perfect Property To Suit Your Requirements With The Minimum Of Hassle

Finding a property

The first step is to contact us to provide brief details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. We then search our database for suitable properties for you to view. If not urgent, once your details are registered we will contact you when a suitable property becomes available. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move, as the nicer properties are viewed and reserved quickly. Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 6 months, which may be renewed if all parties are in agreement. Also please note, for your own safety and peace of mind all of our managed properties are Gas Safe certificated and inspected for furniture fire safety.

All Tenancy Deposits (bonds) are held in accordance with the Deposit Protection Regulations.

Client Money Protection CMP004523.

Viewings

Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends. You will be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.

Reserving the property

When you rent a property through MK Property a holding deposit of 1 weeks rent will be paid to secure the property, subject to not withdrawing or failed references will be deducted from the first month’s rent;

You will be given forms to complete so that we can obtain references.

•  All persons over the age of 18 years  that are to live at the property must complete the forms.
•  All persons over the age of 18 years  that are to live at the property must be included on the tenancy agreement and must sign the agreement.

The reference company will require information to check that you have the right to rent, a good credit history, are in employment and earn sufficient wages to pay the rent and they will check with your current landlord/agency that you have conducted your current tenancy in a satisfactory manner.

The holding deposit can be withheld on the following terms:

• If the tenant pulls out of the tenancy prior to the contracts are signed.
• If the tenant fails a Right to Rent check.
• We are not lawfully allowed to let a property to somebody that doesn't have the right to live in the United Kingdom.
• If the tenant provides false or misleading information - this does not mean failing referencing. However, if you have actively given false information and we can prove this, we will withhold the holding deposit.
• If the tenant doesn't enter the agreement by the deadline.
• If the tenant is prolonging the process and not responding to emails, not providing the referencing agency with the required information/documents for longer than 15 days, you would also forfeit the holding deposit.
• If the landlord withdraws the property, we will offer an alternative rental property or we will refund the fee.

Once satisfactory references are obtained, we will create a tenancy agreement.  We will confirm your check-in appointment which will be the start of your tenancy with the agreed date upon the start of the application.

References

As a minimum, we will require satisfactory references from your employer (or college), a previous or current landlord and a credit reference report. We may also require a personal reference and sometimes a guarantor. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references.

Rents

Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account or your landlord's bank account.

Fees

Tenants Contents Insurance

Your tenancy agreement makes you responsible for any damage you cause to your landlords fixtures and fittings. Insurance for accidental damage to your landlords contents, fixtures and fittings can help protect you and your deposit.

Tenant Deposit:

If we are managing the property we will register with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS).  A deposit equal to five weeks rent will be required.  Please nominate your lead tenant; this person will be the sole point of contact for the DPS and deposit return process at the end of your tenancy. Alternatively we can offer a Deposit Replacement Scheme via Blinc subject to landlords prior consent.

Rental Payments:

All payments must be paid via direct transfer or set up a standing order into our account. Rents must be cleared through the bank in cleared funds on or before the rent payment date. If not you will incur a penalty for late payments received over 14 days from the rent due date at an interest rate of 3%.

Property Inspections:

We will carry out inspections on the property at three-monthly intervals.  This allows us to build a relationship with our tenants, check that the property is being looked after.  We will always give a minimum of 48 hours notice of an inspection in writing.  Tenants do not have to be present for the inspections as we will use management keys to gain access.

Renewing/Changing the Tenancy:

If your landlord is happy to renew your tenancy we will offer you a renewal in writing (usually for 6/12 months).  Periodic extensions requests will be considered under certain circumstances. If on a joint tenancy a party wishes to leave and be replaced by another, the new applicant must be referenced successfully and added to the agreement. The fee for this is £41.67+vat (£50inc vat).If on a single tenancy and you wish to add anyone onto the agreement as a Permitted Occupier the charge is £41.67 + VAT (£50 inc. VAT).

End of Tenancy:

A check out will be conducted at the property which will determine the return of your deposit.  Providing the property is handed back in a good condition (as per the inventory report, with no dilapidations above fair wear and tear) and the rental account is in arrears the deposit will be returned in full via The DPS.  Please note; throughout the tenancy the deposit cannot be used to cover rental arrears or the final month’s rent payment. Along with any rent due will be pro-rata if liable for any additional days.

Early Release from Tenancy:

Once you have signed your tenancy agreement you are legally bound by the terms and are responsible for rent until the end of the tenancy.  If your circumstances change and you wish to bring the tenancy to an end before the expiry date you must contact us in writing with all tenants signatures.  We will then approach your landlord and request consent.  Should consent be granted we will confirm this in writing, along with confirmation of all the relevant charges associated with early termination (this will include loss of revenue to the landlord and all associated new tenancy administration fees minimum charge will be £450+vat).  You will also remain liable for rent due, utility charges and day to day upkeep of the property until a new tenancy commences.

Lost/Missing keys:

If you lose or misplace your keys during tenancy, we will arrange for missing keys to be cut from our management set - this will incur a charge of £15 per key. If keys are missing at the final check out, you will be charged for a full property lock change and 2 full sets of keys.