Renting Guide For Tenants | Tenants Guide | Redcastle
Renting can be confusing, especially if you haven’t done it before, so we make the process as straightforward as we possibly can.
We’ve put together a short guide to make sure the process is as straightforward as it can be. Check our renting guide for tenants on renting, managing tenancy, finding property to rent, deposits, renting to students, your rights as a tenant, and much more. Get in touch with us today to find your ideal home or flat to rent.
Tenants Guide To Renting A Property
Once you have chosen the property that you can see yourself living in we will assist you through the process of securing the tenancy.
Firstly, we will discuss your offer and request a deposit. This means that if your offer is accepted you will secure the property and we can get started with reference checks for you and any other tenant moving in with you. In the event that your offer is not accepted, your deposit will be returned to you in full.
Once your offer has been accepted, we will begin the process for credit checks and referencing for each tenant. Once we receive the credit report, we will be able to confirm whether you have successfully passed referencing so that we can draw up the contract for both the landlord and yourself.
The contract consists of an assured short hold tenancy agreement, which is typically a one-year contract with or without a six-month break clause. This agreement sets the terms of a standard contract and any further provisions that have been agreed between you and the landlord.
Before moving into the property, an inventory may be carried out. This itemises and describes the condition of the property and everything within. It will also contain photographic evidence of these items. You will have the opportunity to see this and add any notes prior to signing it. This is an essential step for both you and the landlord when it comes to the end of the tenancy. Your inventory report will be lodged along with your deposit in a secure government approved tenancy deposit scheme until that date.
The day you pick up the keys and move into your new property, with the help of Redcastle, finalising the process and beginning the start of your residency.
We will advise you of your contact point for the duration of your tenancy. It may be that all future communication is with the landlord, or we may manage the property ourselves in which case you can contact us or pop in should you have any maintenance issues throughout the tenancy. You will have all appropriate contact details, and we always hold a spare key in case of repairs, maintenance or, in case you lose them, although we hope you don’t! If we or the landlord require access, it will always be with 24 hours’ notice and mutually agreed, so it’s convenient for you.
When it’s coming up to the ‘moving out’ date, you will have some options.
If you have decided that you would like to stay in the property, this can be discussed with the landlord. If they are happy to continue, new terms will be agreed where appropriate and a new contract will be drawn up with any clauses for the new period.
If you want to leave, you or the landlord can end the tenancy with the appropriate advance notice, which is generally eight weeks. If the landlord serves notice, the notice period would be 2 months (however you should always check your contract for correct information). In this case, if you have chosen to stay in the area, we can help you find a new place to suit your needs.
The check-out will take place at the very end of the tenancy and will be compared with the inventory carried out at the beginning of the rental. A report will be carried out detailing the current condition, wear, and tear and any damage. The inventory clerk will set out recommendations for any associated costs (if any). This will be discussed and agreed with both you and the landlord so that we can issue the return of your initial deposit.
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Renting your first property can be a daunting experience, as there are lots of things to consider and organise in order for your tenancy to run smoothly. To help you, we’ve answered many of our tenants’ FAQs. There is also the Government’s ‘How to Rent guide’ with further details and checklists to help you with all aspects of renting a property.
FAQ's
You’re able to register to portals like Rightmove and Zoopla, where you’ll receive notification of new property listings that suit your requirements. Redcastle also offers you the chance to stay ahead of the game and to be one of the first to know about new properties with our mailing list. The rental market often moves quickly, meaning new homes don’t often stay available for long, so making sure you’re in regular contact with your local agents is really important.
If you are only looking at property in one area, we would suggest no more than 5. If you are more flexible on the area and/or your budget then you may want to book a few more to ensure you’ve seen a good representation of each area and price range.
The most important reference you will need to provide is one from your employer verifying that your earnings are as you’ve stated. If you have previously lived in a rented property, a reference from your previous landlord is required. You may also be asked to provide personal references – these can be from a friend or colleague who can vouch that you are who you say you are and that they believe you will be a good tenant.
A landlord’s ideal tenant is someone who pays his or her rent on time and doesn’t cause any damage to the property. That’s why we run through background checks on all prospective tenants. These checks highlight issues which may be of concern to landlords including; bad credit scores, previous rental arrears, debt, a criminal record or even if you’ve filed bankruptcy.
Don’t panic if you’ve got a bad credit rating or previous debt, you may still be able to become a tenant by using a guarantor. A guarantor is a family member or friend, who firstly is a homeowner and is prepared to sign a contract stating that if you fail to pay your rent, they will be liable for it. This offers landlords added peace of mind that rent will be paid on time and in full.
Again, this one is down to personal preference and whether you already have your own furniture. Be careful not to fall into the trap of wrongly assuming that taking an unfurnished property will cost less to rent. If money is your sole motivation for choosing unfurnished, make sure you check with your agent that this is the most cost-effective option. Whichever option you go for, make sure it is crystal clear what state the home and furniture were in when you moved in and who is responsible for replacing or repairing it.
Yes, you are entitled to receive your deposit back when you leave the property – providing it is left in the same condition as when you moved in. If the property needs to be professionally cleaned or there are any damages or repairs, the landlord or managing agent is likely to deduct the cost for rectifying these issues from your deposit. If there are any disputes over the deductions from the deposit, these can be raised with either the letting agent or the deposit holding company that can act as a mediator until the dispute is resolved.
As a tenant, you are responsible for looking after internal decorations, furniture and equipment. There is an expectation for wear and tear to the property and landlords won’t be able to deduct this from your deposit so long as it’s reasonable. It is your duty as a tenant to report any maintenance or repair issues to the landlord in a reasonable amount of time to prevent the problem from worsening. Minor maintenance works such as changing light fittings and checking smoke alarms work all fall within your responsibilities as a tenant.
Landlords are responsible for the properties structure and exterior, as well as the sanitation fittings such as sinks, drains and pipes. Heating and hot water are also the responsibility of the landlord as are gas appliances and fittings.
You will need to review your contract to understand if you are on a fixed-term tenancy or a periodic one. If you are on a fixed-term agreement you need to check if there is a break clause and what the terms are, otherwise you will have to continue paying rent until the end of the fixed term. If you are on a periodic tenancy then your tenancy rolls on each time you make a payment, so you will need to give notice equivalent to the gaps between payment e.g. if you pay monthly your notice is one month. The notice should be given in writing and you should always keep a copy for your own records. Include in the letter the property’s address, the date you will be leaving, and how the landlord can contact you if they need to. Why not check out our renting guide here.
If you are thinking about renting a property and would like to find out more about the process, contact us here
Amazing service and was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Altaf was beyond helpful with everything I needed. I would absolutely recommend Redcastle to everyone!
- Kate Verster
Professional service. Easy to communicate with and any issues with the property are dealt with quickly and effectively
- Mr October
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