Tenant's Guide to Renting a Property

Although letting agents have different procedures, this guide is intended as a general overview to assist you when renting a property. Set out below are a few significant pointers to assist you.

Viewings

Our friendly team is available to arrange and escort you around those all-important viewings of your preferred properties. Our offices are open 7 days a week, so please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Affordability

In order to pass the credit check, you will need to be able to demonstrate an annual household income of at least two and a half times the annual rent.

Making Your Offer

Once we have found your suitable property, you will be in a position to make an offer to the Landlord for consideration. Please note that any offer you make would be subject to you fulfilling our reference criteria.

Agreeing The Let

Once an agreeable offer has been accepted and the let agreed, you will be required to complete a Tenants Application Form and provide a holding deposit equivalent to one week’s rent, which will be deducted from your first month’s rent. Also at this point, you will be asked to formally identify yourself to allow us to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Legislation. We will need to take photocopies of your passport or photo driving license to identify you and a copy of a utility bill dated within the last three months to confirm your current residing address.

Referencing

As soon as your offer has been accepted by the Landlord, we will apply for references and draw up the tenancy agreement, which will form the basis of the agreement between you and the Landlord. If you are self-employed, we will need to contact your accountant.

Guarantor

Occasionally, a guarantor may be required if, for example, the tenant's income falls short of our criteria or the credit referencing company insists upon it. It is important that the guarantor understands that they will stand as guarantor for all tenants, for the entire occupancy of the property, not just for the period of the initial tenancy term. The guarantor will be subject to the same checks the tenant has undergone. The guarantor will need to earn a minimum of three times the annual rent and be in full-time employment.

Tenancy Agreement

This is the legally binding agreement containing all ongoing terms and conditions that will exist for the duration of the tenancy.

Rent and Deposit

You will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the property. This needs to be paid in clear funds by either a bank transfer or personal debit card. Rent is to be paid monthly in advance, commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter by a bank standing order. Money must reach Hamiltons Estate Agents' bank account by the due date and therefore standing orders are required to be set up for a few days prior to this date, to allow for banking timescales.

​

The deposit is held for the full tenancy against loss, dilapidations, or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy. This is the equivalent of five weeks' rent. As members of the Deposit Protection Service, all security deposits are sent away and held in accordance with Financial Conduct Authority client money regulations. It is returnable at the end of the tenancy, subject to final inspection of the property. It should be noted that deductions will also be made for damage during the tenancy, as well as cleaning charges should the property and garden areas not have been left in a satisfactory condition.