Finding your new home through Bradleys
You have done this all before but perhaps not with us, so we have provided a guide for you to be prepared and familiarise yourself with how professional letting – the Bradleys way - is done. Whether it’s a choice move or perhaps one that you have been forced to undertake, the more prepared you are the easier it should be. We also believe moving should be an enjoyable time where you can look forward to a new home which will bring new opportunities.
With our step by step guide we can hopefully 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 is make sure if you are currently renting a property that it is handed back in good order, to help ensure your current Landlord provides a great reference for your next property and maximise the chance of your deposit being returned in full.
Where to start?
All home movers tend to things slightly differently but something all movers should do is be added to our mailing list, contact your nearest branch and then we can 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.
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STEP 1
Establish affordability
You will be aware, when applying for a rental property through a professional agency, there are various necessary stages such as references, move in administration and deposits that you will need to be prepared for - so do your research before applying!
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).
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STEP 2
Starting your search
If you want a quick and easy way to get a feel for what is available in the area you hope to move to, you will probably start doing so via the internet and we suggest this site alongside the two main portal websites, Rightmove and Zoopla, as they will feature the widest range of properties.
Using the portal websites will be the perfect place to start however, they can often be out of date when the rental market is moving as fast as it currently is. In order to get the latest availability and also more detailed information, you may be best using a company’s own website, such as this one, where you can then see the fees associated with applying for a property at the same time.
If you haven’t already done so, it is worth registering your search criteria with us so that we can inform you of any suitable properties that we have just received instructions to market. We would also invite you to visit us in the office so that we can meet you and run through your criteria with you as well as provide you with full property details on anything we have that match your requirements.
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STEP 3
Viewing Properties
In order to save wasted 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.
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 different 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.
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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.
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).
It is important you inform your referees in advance that they will receive contact from our independent reference company, Rightmove Landlords & Tenant Services, so that the process isn’t delayed.
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.
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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.
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 Rightmove Landlords & Tenant Services as this is often the cause of delays and of course, will be outside our control.
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STEP 6
Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
In addition to one month’s rent in advance, you will be required to pay a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent plus £100 (or more if required by the Landlord). Your deposit will be registered with the TDS.
In addition to a holding deposit, you will be required to pay a Deposit equivalent to five weeks rent (possibly more if you have pets). Your deposit will be registered with the TDS.
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STEP 7
Insurance
It is important you protect your belongings and therefore it is advisable that you arrange adequate insurance before you move in to your new home. Our Insurance department can provide you with a quote should you wish.
You never know when an accident may happen and so we advise all tenants that they arrange contents insurance to protect their belongings. It is a small price to pay and gives re-assurance should disaster strike!
Obtain a quote -
STEP 8
Moving in dates
Subject to your references being accepted, we will then look at a suitable date for your occupation of the property. We will, along with the Landlord, endeavor to meet your preferred move in date, wherever possible and practical.
With dates being agreed by all parties, you will then need to be prepared to arrange 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 to Bradleys Accounts Department 01395 223383.
Funds must be cleared and the Tenancy Agreement should be fully signed at least 3 days prior to entry date (unless alternative arrangements have been agreed), otherwise access to the property may not be permitted.
We advise all tenants that they arrange contents insurance to protect their belongings. It is a small price to pay and gives re-assurance should disaster strike. In order to obtain a quote for your contents insurance contact our insurance department here.
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STEP 9
Collecting your keys
Providing all of the previous steps have been achieved, on the pre agreed move in date you will need to come into your local Bradleys office to collect the keys and sign for the schedule of condition.
When collecting the keys, our office staff will explain that you must read through the schedule of condition and check that you are happy with the detail provided and what to do if you are not.
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!
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STEP 10
During your tenancy
We hope that everything runs smoothly whilst in your new home however, should there be an issue we operate an On-Line Maintenance, Repairs and Issue reporting system for your property. Please use the link below and ensure that you complete the report as thoroughly as possible, with a full description and photographs of the issue.
Report an issue here
By using the above reporting system you will have received a confirmation email logging your issue, you will not need to report it again. You will need to make a new report if you have multiple issues.
Maintenance issues reported in this way will be given priority over emails or phone calls unless of course you have an Emergency.
Report a problem -
STEP 11
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.
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.
Bradleys Group Reg No. 2866127 VAT No. 692544606
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