Viewing a property...

We will be happy to show you around any of the properties that are available to let on our website. When you have seen something that you would like to rent, there are a few things that you will need to know. The following notes are for guidance only and we recommend that you speak to your local office for further details.

Making an application for a property...

Properties are accepted on an ‘as seen’ basis and any issues or concerns raised will need to be dealt with prior to your application being processed or a holding deposit being taken.

Upon submitting an application for a property we will run a pre reference to check the brief details provided are suitable and meet the requirements. Following this a more detailed reference is undertaken, including credit history and ‘Right to Rent’ checks. 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.

We use Rightmove Landlords & Tenant Services, an independent referencing agency, to collect and confirm references from you. They require 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.

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.

Applications will need to be supported by the appropriate information; photo ID (i.e. Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of current address (i.e. utility bill).

Subject to references being acceptable, only then will a suitable date be chosen for your occupation of the property. Bradleys and the Landlord will of course endeavour to meet your preferred move in date, wherever possible and practical.

Relevant letting fees and tenant protection information when renting through us.

In addition to paying rent for the property (payable in advance) you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

Before the tenancy starts:

  • Holding Deposit: equivalent to 1 week’s rent; and
  • Deposit: equivalent to 5 weeks rent.
  • Companies seeking to rent a property will be required to pay £300 including VAT (£250 plus VAT) for the completion of a Company Reference carried out by an independent referencing agency.

During the tenancy some charges may apply:

  • Payments to other third parties: such as Council Tax, utilities or payments for communications services;
  • Default Charges: such as payments for the replacement of lost keys (where the landlord or agent will provide evidence in writing to the person liable for the payment to demonstrate that the costs they have incurred are reasonable) or interest on overdue rent that may be applied (capped at 3% above Bank of England base rate for each day that the payment has been outstanding over 14 days).
  • Tenancy Changes: such as requests to vary the terms of or reassign the tenancy may also be applied which will be limited to £50 including VAT (£41.67 plus VAT).

We may consider numerous tenancy applications for a property but will not collect a Holding Deposit until initial enquiries have been completed and the Landlord’s approval to proceed to formal referencing for a specific party has been obtained.

Holding Deposits will be paid towards the Tenancy Deposit upon commencement of the Tenancy where successful referencing and statutory checks have been completed.

A Holding Deposit will be retained by Bradleys where a prospective tenant:

  1. Withdraws from contract before entering into the tenancy agreement
  2. Provides false information for referencing purposes
  3. Fails to act reasonably to enter into the tenancy before the deadline for agreement
  4. Fails ‘Right to Rent’ checks

Deposits

Tenant Protection

Bradleys Estate Agents Ltd are a licenced member of ARLA Propertymark and part of their Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme. Bradleys are also a member of The Property Ombudsman redress scheme.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) is a government approved tenancy deposit protection scheme in England and Wales operated by The Dispute Service Ltd.

The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords and letting agents to protect deposits on assured shorthold tenancies in a scheme such as TDS. They provide insurance backed tenancy deposit protection with free, impartial dispute resolution for when disagreements arise over how the money is divided at the end of a tenancy.

Download the TDS leaflet

Moving In

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.

The deposit and first month’s rent and deposit can be paid by bank transfer or Debit/Credit Card payment to Bradleys Accounts Department 01395 223383 and Select Option 5.

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.

All payments for the monthly rent must be paid by standing order, which will be supplied prior to your move in and rent will be due on the anniversary date of the start of the tenancy.

In order to terminate the contract, one month’s written notice must be given prior to the rent due date. The property cannot be vacated before the end of the fixed six-month contract unless agreed.

You will need to arrange property contents insurance for the duration of your tenancy. Bradleys Insurance Services will be able to provide you with a competitive quotation.

What happens if something breaks?

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.

Once reported in this way and you 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 an Issue Here

Guidance on Legionnaires' Disease for Tenants

Domestic hot and cold water systems can provide an environment where Legionella bacteria can grow. This can cause Legionnaires disease which is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella bacteria.

This advice sheet give tips for residents of rented domestic accommodation. Most importantly, make sure that:

  • Hot water in the system remains hot
  • Cold water is kept cold
  • The water is kept circulated
  • Where a property is left vacant for any time, e.g. student accommodation, holiday accommodation, over the summer holidays etc, make sure that when return you thoroughly flush both hot and cold water systems by running all outlets for at least two minutes

Where showers are fitted:

  • If they are used only occasionally then flush them through by running them for at least two minutes every week. Keep out of the way whilst this is being done as far as possible
  • Clean the shower head periodically, descale and disinfect it. This should be done at least every six months.

Please note:

  • Do not interfere with the settings on your boiler or hot water system
  • The hot water should be set so that the water is heated up to 60 degrees centigrade

Tell your landlord/agent if:

  • The cold water is still running warm after you have initially run off any water which may have accumulated in the pipes. It should not be above 20 degrees centigrade.
  • There are any problems, debris or discolouration in the water
  • The boiler or hot water tank are not working properly, particularly if the water is not coming out of the taps at a sufficiently high temperature. It should come out at a temperature of 50 degrees centigrade after it has run for a minute at the latest.

Legally, it is your landlord's responsibility to take precautions to prevent Legionella being present in the water system, but tenants and residents also have an important part to play in taking these simple and practical precautions.

For more guidance from NHS England https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Legionnaires-disease/

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

As members of ARLA propertymark (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.

3 things you should know about client money protection

View the Propertymark CMP Accounting Rules

Download our Client Money Protection Certificate
Professional Accreditations

Contact us to find out more...

Contact us to find out more...