Tenants
At Homelink Lettings & Estates we try to make the entire lettings process from the beginning to the end as seamless as possible.
Areas
It is important to first work out what areas you would consider living in and also essential to carry out your own research on the area to familiarise yourself with local area information including schools, transport links, supermarkets and local amenities which include restaurants and cafes, pubs and bars.
Affordability
After you have identified which area(s) are suitable for your needs the next step to work out your finances; you can use our rent affordability calculator to check the amount of rent you can afford based on your/joint income. We use HomeLet as our referencing company who use an individual/joint rental income calculation at 2.5 x the rent and from there you can search for properties based on this.
Property Search
Now that you have established which area suits your needs and also your affordability you are now in a position to actively start your property search.
Our website has a Property Search feature which will help you locate properties that are available to rent in your selected area(s), you can further filter results using the number of bedrooms, etc.
Once you have found your desirable property and wish to arrange a viewing you can either give our office a call, or send an enquiry online and we will make contact with you to arrange a viewing, this is usually at your convenience but sometimes access for viewings may be restricted so alternative dates and or times will be offered.
After the viewing if you find that the property is not suitable, we can add you to our mailing list, there are two options for this; you can manually register on our website and amend/delete information as you consider is necessary and you will get updates on any new properties added which match your search criteria or we can register your details for you on our in-branch marketing software which also sends you updates when new properties that match your search criteria come available.
Rentals Process
If you are happy with one of the properties which you have viewed through our agency and are happy to proceed, the next step is to speak with the agent who showed you around the property who will guide you through the next steps which are;
1. Pop into our office to supply us with your full details and pay your refundable reservation fee of one weeks rent by cash or bank transfer which will reserve the property for you.
2. On receipt of your reservation fee, we will not accept any other offers on the property and stop showing people round the property although it may remain advertised on our website and property portals.
3. The reservation fee is a commitment from you to enter into the tenancy. If you withdraw then we may withhold your reservation fee. We may also withhold the fee if you provide substantively misleading or false information as part of the referencing process.
4. In certain circumstances we may also retain the reservation fee, these are listed in our terms and conditions.
5. We request the following documents from each tenant for our records;
a. Proof of identification
b. Proof of current address
c. Signed HomeLet declaration form (to authorise us to carry out the full reference)
d. Signed confirmation of offer (reservation fee form)
6. Once we have the above documents for all named tenants we will then start the referencing process through HomeLet (HomeLet’s Referencing Criteria Guide For Tenants) who is our external referencing company who will run a credit check on all of tenants and verify everyone’s employment details and current landlord reference (if applicable). If there are any issues with obtaining the references HomeLet will contact the tenant(s) direct to inform them so that they can prompt the referees to reply.
7. If the referencing comes back as not acceptable due to adverse credit history then you will fail the referencing and the reservation fee may be retained in certain circumstances, these are listed in our terms and conditions and the property will be re-listed online immediately.
8. If your reference comes back as acceptable with guarantor then you will have the opportunity to provide us with a guarantor, this may delay your move in date if we were not aware at the beginning of the referencing process.
9. Once HomeLet finalise the referencing, we will speak with your landlord for them to review your paperwork and once we get the final approval we will contact you to arrange.
Moving in Day
We understand that this will be a very busy day for you, so we try to help minimise any stress. We will help you set up your standing order and we will switch the utilities for your new property into your name(s).
Remember to notify your current utility providers of your move and give them an up to date meter readings to close your account and also to notify other important companies of your move such as your bank and insurance.
Prior to your moving in date you will sign your new tenancy agreement online and pay any outstanding balances. On your moving in date we will arrange to meet you at the property with our inventory clerk who will take you around the property and hand you your keys.
Mid tenancy
During your tenancy your property will be inspected during different intervals (usually quarterly) either by one of our agents or by your landlord direct, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice will be given to you and this can be re-arranged if necessary.
If we manage your property you can report a repair using one of the following methods:
By emailing info@homelink.co.uk or by calling us on 0208 882 2112.
End of tenancy
At the end of your tenancy we will contact you to arrange checkout, this is usually on the last day of on the tenancy agreement, durning this visit, we will inspect the property against your original inventory, it is important to ensure that the property is left in the same condition as when you moved in to avoid any deposit deductions for repairs or cleaning.
After you have paid your last month’s rent please cancel your standing order as we are not authorised to speak with your bank to do this on your behalf. Also don’t forget to take your meter readings on your final day when closing your utility accounts.
Rent in Advance
Equal to 1 months rent.
Deposit
Equal to 5 weeks rent.
Fees to Tenants
In line with the Tenant Fee Act we do not charge tenants any fees. The only fees a landlord or agent can charge to a tenant in relation to new contracts are:
- A refundable tenancy deposit capped of 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
- One Months Rent advance as per the Tenancy Agreement
- A refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) of 1 week’s rent
- Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant. The liability for payment of rent will cease once a new tenant is found and the new tenancy commences. The tenant will need to cover the cost for re-letting on a pro-rata basis for the remainder of the tenancy. (For further information see homelink.co.uk/landlords)
- Payments £50 per change (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
- Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax
- A default fee for late payment of rent of 3% above bank of England Base Rate as defined in the Tenancy Agreement
- Replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement charged at the cost of the replacement of the lock or key or device.
We are members of the following organisations
The Property Ombudsman - Redress Scheme
Association of Residential Lettings Agents
National Association Of Estate Agents
Client Money Protection - Propertymark
Tenancy Deposit Protection - TDS
