Are you looking to rent a flat or house in the local area? If so, you undoubtedly have many questions about finding suitable accommodation, what the renting process is like, and the additional costs involved in renting a place. Here you will find answers to your questions.
Do you charge a Letting Agents fee?
No, you don’t have to pay any letting agent’s fees. Landlords who use Harvey Robinson to manage property lettings pay fees for the services we provide. Since 2020, the government has made it illegal for landlords to charge almost all tenancy related fees.
Why do I need to be referenced?
Referencing allows us to verify your credentials as a good tenant when speaking to the Landlord. By checking your references like employment status, income and credit history, we can ensure that you can afford monthly rental payments. Additionally, references from previous landlords can help confirm you will care for the property.
How does a holding deposit work?
A holding deposit is equivalent to one week’s rent and lets you reserve a property you want to rent. We can keep the holding fee for up to 15 days. This gives us time to check your references and draw up a tenancy agreement.
The holding deposit is refundable if the landlord declines your rental application. However, if you decide not to rent the property, you will lose the money.
If your application is successful, the holding deposit goes toward the first month’s rent.
Am I liable for the Council Tax and utilities?
You are liable for paying council tax and utility bills. These include electricity, gas, water and the TV license.
What is an inspection?
We have the right to inspect rental properties on a regular schedule. Property inspections help us identify any maintenance issues and confirm the property is being kept in good condition and is well-maintained.
Can I give notice whenever I like?
The amount of notice you give depends on the tenancy agreement and the type of tenancy you have. For a fixed-term tenancy, you must pay rent for the tenancy period unless you agree with your landlord to end it early. After that, you can give 1 months’ notice at any time for a periodic tenancy on your rent anniversary.
Who is responsible for maintaining the property?
Tenants are responsible for the general upkeep of the property and day-to-day maintenance. This includes cleaning, looking after the place, and reporting maintenance issues. In addition, landlords must ensure the property remains inhabitable for the entire tenancy period.
I am not happy with the inventory; it doesn’t seem accurate. What do I do?
If the inventory contains errors and doesn’t accurately describe the property you must inform the us immediately. You should document the inaccuracies and photograph what is missing or incorrectly described so that we can add this to the inventory for when you leave. You have 5 days upon moving in to do this.
What if I can’t pay my rent?
It is crucial to speak to us as soon as difficulties arise with paying rent. It’s not a good idea to wait until the due date has passed. In many cases, landlords are willing to come to an arrangement, especially if you have a good track record of paying rent on time.
