Residential Property Viewings & Application Process

Applying for a tenancy

In order to rent a property from us you will need to go through the following steps; in some cases we may be able to combine some of these steps:

 

Step 1:  view the property

  • Having identified a property that interests you, we will arrange an appointment for you to view the property; you may be shown around by ourselves, by the landlord or by the current tenant.
  • If you cannot keep a viewing appointment you must inform us in plenty of time; if you do not do so we reserve the right not to make any other appointments for you to see any property.
  • If having viewed the property, you decide that you are interested in renting it, you should inform us immediately. At this stage you should check with us whether you have any special requirements or are unsure of any point relating to the property or the proposed tenancy.

 

Step 2:  complete application forms and provide proof of identity

The next stage is to complete the necessary application forms and provide proof of identity and your current address.  It normally takes between 7-10 working days to validate your application.

Tenant’s Application Form

  • We will require an application form for every person aged 18 or over who will be living in the property.
  • Every box on the application form must be completed; you should write n/a in any box which does not apply to you. If the application form is not fully completed, we cannot process it and will return it to you. The delay this will cause may mean that you will lose the property.

 

Proof of identity and residency at current address

We require proof of identity and residency for each tenant in the form of:

  • Photographic ID such as a passport or photocard driving licence.
  • Utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement showing your current address and dated within the last 3 months.
  • You must provide us with the original of each document. A photocopy will then be taken and retained with your application.
  • If any tenant is self-employed, evidence of income (details of what we require will be provided).

 

Step 3:  Sign the tenancy agreement

  • If your application is successful and both parties confirm that the tenancy is to proceed, you will be contacted to agree a tenancy start date and the tenancy documents will be prepared.
  • Once prepared, the tenancy documents will be sent to you for signature.
  • You must return the signed documents to Mather Jamie prior to the moving in date.

 

Our standard terms for all residential tenancy agreements are:

  • The tenancy will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
  • The tenancy will be for an initial fixed term of 6 months during which time neither side may terminate the tenancy; after the initial fixed term the tenancy may be terminated by the tenant giving one month’s notice or the landlord giving two months’ notice.
  • The rent will be payable monthly in advance by bank standing order starting on the commencement date of the tenancy agreement.
  • Other terms may be negotiated with the agreement of the landlord, tenant and ourselves.

 

Step 4:   Deposit & First Months’ Rent

Once you have signed the tenancy documents, you must pay the security deposit and first

month’s rent prior to the moving in date.

  • We will require a deposit for the property equivalent to five weeks’ rent.
  • You must pay the deposit and first months’ rent in cash, by cheque or by bank transfer.
  • If you pay the deposit and first months’ rent by cheque, we must allow 7 working days for it to clear and therefore we can only accept this form of payment if there are at least 8 clear days before the commencement of the tenancy.

 

Step 5:   Move-in day & key handover

  • We will arrange to meet you at the property to do the key handover and go through all tenancy and property documents with you.
  • We will also take meter readings with you so that you can take over the utility accounts at the property.
  • A schedule of condition of the property will be prepared by an independent inventory assessor prior to you moving into the property and you will be required to check through and sign this condition report on the key handover day.

 

Step 6:   During your tenancy

  • Once you have taken over the property the most important thing to remember is that the property is the landlord’s private property. As a tenant you have the right to live in the property without interference by the landlord, but the landlord is entitled to expect that you will look after the property as they would if they were living in the property themselves.
  • You should familiarise yourself with the terms of your tenancy and your obligations as tenant.
  • Please report any property issues without delay to Mather Jamie on 01509 233433.