Finding your new home through Bradleys:

You may have done this all before but perhaps not when a Company owns a property rather than an individual, so we have put together a guide as to how this may differ for you.

Combined with the differences involved with a Company let, here is our step by step guide to professional letting – the Bradleys way! We hope we can give you some direction and safeguard you against some of the common mistakes that are made when people rent a property, even those experienced movers.

Our final tip before you start; if you are currently renting a property, make sure that it is handed back in good order to help ensure your current landlord provides a great reference for you and maximise the chance of your deposit being returned in full.

Where to start?

All home movers tend to do things slightly differently but something all movers should do, is be added to our mailing list, which can be done by simply contacting your nearest branch or by contacting our Customer Services Team. We can then keep you informed of any suitable properties.

Should you wish to review a list of the charges that you will have to pay when applying for a property, click here. Each move will vary so these steps may not apply to some but will give you a good indication.

STEP 1

Establish affordability

You will be aware when applying for a rental property through a professional agency, that there are various essential stages such as references, move in administration and deposits that you will need to be prepared for, so do your research before applying.
CHECK AFFORDABILITY

It is important that you are aware at the outset as to how much deposit will be required as well as any other associated moving costs. All Letting Agents are required by law to publish any fees that are required so you will be able to investigate this prior to incurring any costs. View our fees

Providing you can afford the deposit the next step is to understand whether you can afford the monthly rent. This will again vary between agencies but with Bradleys we use an independent referencing company called Rightmove Landlords & Tenant Services and they will look at the rent you are looking to pay each month and multiply it by 30. Should your annual salary/income be less than the total, there will be concerns and possibly a requirement of a guarantor. E.g rent = £700pcm x 30 = £21,000 (total annual income required).

STEP 3

Viewing Properties

In order to save wasting time for all concerned, please make sure your criteria matches the Landlord’s criteria (pets, children, non-smokers etc.) and once checked, contact us to book as many viewings as possible.
Viewing Properties

When viewing, it is often the case that people want to view lots of properties without having looked at the practicality of the property, whether that be location, Landlords’ restrictions or even price. This is no difference when applying for a company let. We would be delighted to show you around as many suitable homes as possible to maximise the chance of securing you a lovely home. Due to the fast pace of the rental market it may be that you have to be flexible on viewing times to make sure you don’t miss out, but we will try to accommodate wherever possible.

It is advisable to have all decision makers/occupants attending the viewing thus allowing you make a decision quickly and not miss out.

STEP 4

Applying for a property

Great news you have found a lovely property and want to apply for it. You will need to complete the application forms in order for the referencing process to begin. The great news is that we actually run a pre-reference check prior to taking a holding deposit.
Applying for a property

Be aware that properties are accepted on an ‘as seen’ basis and any issues raised will need to be dealt with prior to references being undertaken. We will carry out a pre-reference check which should highlight any obvious issues and this is free of charge to you. Not many agents will do this. Subject to the pre-reference check being ok, we will then run a full reference and credit check and will require a holding deposit (the equivalent of one week’s rent).

References can take around seven days to complete, in some cases less time, but it can take up to an additional two to three weeks if additional information is required. Should a guarantor be needed this may also affect the time taken to complete referencing. Please note that ALL intended occupants of the property over the age of 18 will need to complete a form to be referenced, regardless of their employment status.

STEP 5

Referencing process

All applications will need to be supported by the permitted tenant fees and costs, proof of current address (i.e. utility bill) and photo ID (i.e. Passport or Driving License). This will also be the case for a guarantor if one is required.
Referencing process

Our independent referencing agency requires that you are earning two and a half times the monthly rent, on average. If you have insufficient earnings to support the rent, you may need a guarantor, who will be liable for the terms of your tenancy. A guarantor should be a homeowner, earning three times the monthly rent.

It may be that you need to prompt your referees to get the information back to the referencing company as this is often the cause of delays and of course will be outside our control.

STEP 6

Move in dates

Subject to your references being accepted, we will then discuss a suitable date for your occupation of the property. We will, alongside the Landlord, endeavor to meet your preferred move in date, wherever possible and practicable.
Moving in dates

With dates being agreed by all parties, you will need to be prepared for arranging monies, as all fees must be paid in advance. This includes the first month’s rent, deposit and all outstanding arrangement fees and can be paid by bank transfer or Debit/Credit Card payment.

Funds must be cleared and the Tenancy Agreement should be fully signed, please note that with a Company let the tenancy agreement is often different from our own version. If these steps aren’t carried out, access to the property may not be permitted.

We advise all tenants to arrange Contents Insurance to protect their belongings. It is a small price to pay and gives reassurance should there be an accident. In order to obtain a quote for your contents insurance please contact our insurance department here.

STEP 7

Collecting your keys

Providing all the previous steps have been attained, you will need to come into your local Bradleys office on the pre agreed move in date to collect the keys.
Collecting your keys

When collecting the keys, our office staff will explain the procedures according to the relevant Company that is letting the property but in many cases they will oversee the maintenance and ongoing management of the property. Hopefully you have already arranged your insurance, set up the standing orders for the rent to be paid and now you can concentrate on enjoying your new home!

STEP 8

Re-assured Professionalism

We believe in offering a professional service to our clients and so for your assurance, you will be pleased to know we are members of various professional affiliations.
Re-assured Professionalism

As members of ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents, a division of the National Federation of Property Professionals, NFOPP), as well as full members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme for Lettings, Bradleys are bound by strict professional guidelines. In addition these professional bodies require Professional Indemnity and Client Money Protection cover to be in place for customer peace of mind.

Professional Accreditations

Contact us to find out more...

Contact us to find out more...