TENANTS

Our personnel are specially trained and equipped to assist you to find properties to rent that will meet your needs. We maintain a database of properties available to rent, along with prospective tenants and their requirements. As properties become available, our first action is to contact waiting tenants on our database whose requirements match that of the property. Typically, properties to rent become available about two months before occupancy date, so where possible, it is advisable to start looking at your earliest

VIEWING:

Having potentially identified a suitable property, we will arrange a viewing. This will be at a time to suit you, subject of course, to the occupiers permission. All viewings will be accompanied by a member of staff who will be able to provide advice and answer any questions you may have

OFFER/ APPLICATION :

Having decided on a property, each applicant will need to complete an application pack. At this time, any details or requirements can be provisionally agreed, such as occupancy date, duration of the letting etc. Upon application, a Reservation Deposit will be required. This will be equal to two weeks rent. Assuming the rental then proceeds, this will be deducted from the monies due before occupation. These monies are outlined in more detail in the Rent, Deposit and Administration / Agency fees sections, shown below. If we or the landlord decline your application, this deposit will be refunded (minus the fee for the referencing and Credit Check which unfortunately are non-refundable). It will however, not be refunded if you decide not to proceed for any reason or if the tenancy fails to progress due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided in the tenancy application

References:

We will take references on behalf of the landlord. Typically, these will include your employer, a former landlord and a Character Reference. In addition, a Credit Check will also be undertaken.

RENT:

Rents are normally quoted on a calendar month basis. In addition, the tenant is usually responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, gas, electricity and telephone costs. Rents are payable monthly, in advance, by standing order (unless alternative arrangements are previously agreed upon). The first months rent is therefore due before taking occupation of the property..

DEPOSIT:

A deposit is also required prior to the occupation. This amount could vary but is normally equal to five weeks rent depending on the individual requirements of the landlord. Where we are managing the property, we hold this as stakeholders in a Client Account until the end of the tenancy. Where we are not managing the property, it will be passed over to the landlord. The deposit is held to cover any breakages, damage or other tenant liabilities. Where we are managing, at the end of the tenancy, we will check the property (in the presence of the tenant, if requested) and assess any damages and deductions due, in line with the check out report compiled by the independent inventory company. Further detail on the comprehensive inventory and schedule of condition is covered below.
Please note that the deposit cannot be used to cover rent.

TENACY AGREEMENT:

The Tenancy Agreement will be produced prior to the commencement of the tenancy. All tenants will need to read and then sign the agreement

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT:

We use an independent inventory company to compile a comprehensive Inventory and Schedule of Condition. This records the condition of the property and any contents prior to the commencement of a tenancy. This ensures that the property is returned to the landlord in the condition

Viewings:- Having potentially identified a suitable property, we will arrange a viewing. This will be at a time to suit you, subject of course, to the occupiers’ permission. All viewings will be accompanied by a member of staff who will be able to provide advice and answer any questions you may have.

Offer / Application:- Having decided on a property, each applicant will need to complete an application pack. At this time, any details or requirements can be provisionally agreed, such as occupancy date, duration of the letting etc. Upon application, a Reservation Deposit will be required. This will be equal to one week rent. Assuming the rental then proceeds, this will be deducted from the monies due before occupation. These monies are outlined in more detail in the Rent, Deposit and Administration / Agency fees sections, shown below. If we or the landlord decline your application, this deposit will be refunded. It will however, not be refunded if you decide not to proceed for any reason or if the tenancy fails to progress due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided in the tenancy application.

References:- We will take references on behalf of the landlord. Typically, these will include your employer, a former landlord and a Character Reference. In addition, a Credit Check will also be undertaken

Rent:- Rents are normally quoted on a calendar month basis. In addition, the tenant is usually responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, gas, electricity and telephone costs. Rents are payable monthly, in advance, by standing order (unless alternative arrangements are previously agreed upon). The first months’ rent is therefore due before taking occupation of the property.

Deposit:- A deposit is also required prior to the occupation. This amount could vary but is normally equal to 5 weeks rent depending on the individual requirements of the landlord. Where we are managing the property, we hold this as stakeholders in a Client Account until the end of the tenancy. Where we are not managing the property, it will be passed over to the landlord. The deposit is held to cover any breakages, damage or other tenant liabilities. Where we are managing, at the end of the tenancy, we will check the property (in the presence of the tenant, if requested) and assess any damages and deductions due, in line with the check out report compiled by the independent inventory company. Further detail on the comprehensive inventory and schedule of condition is covered below.

Please note that the deposit cannot be used to cover rent

Tenancy Agreement:- The Tenancy Agreement will be produced prior to the commencement of the tenancy. All tenants will need to read and then sign the agreement.

Check-in and Check-out Fee:- We use an independent inventory company to compile a comprehensive Inventory and Schedule of Condition. This records the condition of the property and any contents prior to the commencement of a tenancy. This ensures that the property is returned to the landlord in the condition in which it was let.

The only fees we will charge you, as a tenant, are shown below.

Relevant letting fees and tenant protection information

As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments.

Permitted payments

Before the tenancy starts (payable to Lineas ‘the Agent’)
* Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent
* Deposit: 5 weeks’ rent. You can calculate the total weekly rent using one of the following formula: (your monthly rent x 12) ÷ 52

During the tenancy (payable to the Agent)
* Payment of £50 if you want to change the tenancy agreement
* Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of 3% above the Bank of England’s base rate
* Payment of £50 for the reasonably incurred costs for the loss of keys/security devices
* Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy

During the tenancy (payable to the provider) if permitted and applicable
* Utilities – gas, electricity, water
* Communications – telephone and broadband
* Installation of cable/satellite
* Subscription to cable/satellite supplier
* Television licence
* Council Tax

Other permitted payments
* Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.

Tenant protection
Lineas is a member of the THE PRS which is a redress scheme. You can find out more details on the agent’s website or by contacting the agent directly. https://www.theprs.co.uk/
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to start looking for a property?

You should start looking about 2 to 4 weeks before you need to move. If you start looking too early, you are likely to see a property that is available before you are.

How much rent should I be looking to pay?

We would advise that your earnings are at least 2½ times the rent and referencing agencies insist on this or require a guarantor.

What sort of Agreement will I have?

We will give you an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. This will usually be for a minimum of six months but is usually for a year.

I have seen a property that I really like. What should I do next?

Once you have decided to take a property, you should talk to your negotiator as soon as possible and agree on the terms of the Tenancy. We will need a holding deposit (normally the equivalent of one weeks rent) to take the property off the market and start the referencing process. The holding deposit is deducted from the final amount payable. Once the references have come back, contracts have been signed and we have received the remainder of the monies due in cleared funds, you are able to move into the on the agreed date.

What do I need to pay before I can move in?

You will normally have to pay one month’s rent in advance and a minimum of one month’s to 5 weeks rent as a damage deposit. There is also a referencing fee. The full amount (minus the holding deposit) would need to be paid to us in cleared funds before you can move in. Cleared funds would be cash, a bankers draft, a bank transfer (this takes at least 2 working days to show in our account) or a cheque (provided you have allowed at least a week for it to clear).

What happens about references?

We normally use a referencing agency. You simply have to complete a form giving your details such as your addresses for the past 3 years, employment details etc. If you are a student you will also need to provide us with details of a guarantor. The guarantor needs to be someone who is earning at least 3 times the rent and will have the same responsibilities as the Tenant. The referencing process is usually completed within 2 days but can be completed quicker if necessary.

What do I do about utility bills etc?

We will inform all the utility companies (Council Tax, Water, Gas and Electricity) of the date that you moved in and the meter readings where appropriate. The utility companies will then contact you directly. You will need to arrange telephone accounts, TV licence and any other services that you might require (like broadband or digital TV).

Should I take out contents insurance?

You will be required to have insurance for your own personal belonging and cover for possible damage you may cause to the property or its contents – this effectively protects your damage deposit. We will be able to provide you with details of companies who specialise in providing cover for Tenants.damage deposit. We will be able to provide you with details of companies who specialise in providing cover for Tenants.