It’s time to find somewhere to live!
With any move, it should be viewed as an exciting time but before you go too far along the line, you must do your research. It is similar to when you buy a property albeit not on the same scale; you must ensure that your move will be affordable and so you must establish your position regarding money and deposits, location of where you want and perhaps need to be and also how long you realistically plan to be there
With life throwing up surprises you cannot always answer these points with a definitive answer and therefore you should have a plan should your position change or at least be aware of your responsibilities should that happen. It is an exciting time and we want it be just that so the best thing to do is continue to read about the process and be prepared.
With our step by step guide hopefully we can give you some direction and safeguard you against some of the common mistakes that are made when people rent their first property. We also want to make sure this is the enjoyable time that it should be.
To be added to our mailing list simply fill out this registration form and 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.
Where to start?
In order not to rush into the house moving process and make a mistake, we have provided a guide to the process for you to follow. Every move can vary so these steps may not apply to some but will give you a good indication.
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STEP 1
Establish affordability
When applying for a rental property, it is important to investigate any associated costs and the level of deposit that you will require. We advise that you are prepared by finding out the costs involved to make your move achievable.
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 Servicesand 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
There are many places properties are featured but the best way to see what is available and get an idea of what you get for your money will be through this website and the two main portal websites, Rightmove and Zoopla, who will feature the most properties.
Using the portal websites will allow you get a good idea of prices in the areas in which you are searching and therefore it’s a great place to start however it can often be out of date if the rental market is moving fast. In order to get the latest availability, and also more detailed information, you may want to go to individual agencies websites, such as this one, where you can then see the fees associated with applying for a property and any additional costs you will need to consider.
It is also worth registering your search criteria with us so that we can inform you of any suitable properties that we have just received instructions on or will be available in the near future. With the high demand for rental properties in most areas, this is often the way in which you will find the right property before the many others who may just monitor the portal websites.
We would also welcome 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.
Register with Us -
STEP 3
Viewing Properties
It’s getting exciting, you’ve done your research and now it’s time to see some potential homes! Using your criteria and ensuring it matches the Landlords critieria (e.g pets, children, non-smokers etc) you should book as many viewings as you are able.
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. 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 of 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 five week’s rent. Your deposit will be registered with the TDS.
From 6 April 2007, all deposits taken by Landlords and letting agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales, must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. The schemes are there to protect your money and resolve disputes should they arise. To find out more information please download the Governments How to Rent Guide Here and details of the deposit scheme used by Bradleys please click the link. Download the TDS Leaflet Here.
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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, alongside the Landlord, of course endeavour to meet your preferred move in date, wherever possible and practical.
With dates agreed by all parties, you will then 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 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.
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STEP 9
Collecting your keys
The day arrives! 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 and 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.
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STEP 11
Re-assured Professionalism
We believe in offering a professional service to our clients and so for your re-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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