Renting Guide

Register with us

Fairly obvious, but the only way you will have access to the largest database of properties in the region – with rapid updates when new properties are taken on – is to let us know what you are looking for and why you are the right tenant for our landlords. Registering takes only a matter of minutes to complete over the phone or in person at one of our two locations in Enfield.

Finding the right property for you

Our agents are experts at matching tenants to just the right property. Their local knowledge and insights into specific properties on our books are second to none, and if your ideal pad is not already on our extensive database they will let you know by phone, email or SMS when properties that match your wish list are taken on, making sure that you don’t miss out on the perfect place.

Types of agreement

Our arrangement with your landlord will determine who manages your tenancy. We have three types of agreement:

• Let only – you will be dealing directly with the landlord.
• Rent collection – we will collect your rent monthly on behalf of your landlord.
• Managed – we take responsibility for collecting your rent for the landlord and handling any issues may occur during your tenancy. If you have a problem, all you need to do is call our property management team and they’ll make sure it’s resolved for you.

Getting the most from your viewings

Every time you view a property it’s important to make the most of your visit. Competition is fierce for the best properties, so you may not have time to see it again before it’s snapped up. Have a thorough look around, ask all the questions you need to be answered in order to make a decision, and, where possible, take all decision-makers with you to viewings.

Making an offer

We like to make things simple for our tenants, so if you like a property and want to call it home, just phone us and let us know. We’ll speak to the landlord for you and will arrange all the paperwork, but to avoid disappointment, don’t delay.

Offer agreed

When the offer you have made on a property is agreed with one of our landlords we’ll let you know, but there are still a few more steps to go before the property is definitely yours.

Reserving a property with a holding deposit

Most landlords will want to meet with tenants before agreeing to a tenancy, and all will insist on the paperwork being signed and references being taken. So, to stake your claim on a property you need to pay a holding deposit (sum varies depending on landlord’s requirements). Assuming the tenancy goes ahead, this deposit will be deducted from the next sum you would otherwise have paid to the landlord. Your deposit will of course be returned to you if the landlord decides against the tenancy but if you decide not to go ahead it will be forfeited.

Referencing

Landlords will want to make sure that you are the right tenant for them; therefore, agents will always take up one or more of the following references on you, with your permission:

• Credit Check – to prove that you have a history of paying your bills.
• Previous landlord reference – if applicable, – to prove that you are a good tenant.
• Bank reference – if applicable, – to show you can afford the rent.
• Employer reference – to show reliability and financial stability.
• And any other that the landlord asks us to request.

Should any of the above highlight issues, you may be asked to provide a guarantor for your tenancy to be approved. This is someone who will be financially and legally liable for you to the landlord should you breach your contract.

(Please note that some of our referencing is carried out by a professional third party referencing agency, and all referencing carries with it an administration fee. Contact us for details as these fees vary by property.)

It may be worthwhile doing a quick credit check on yourself now to make sure that there aren’t any issues that you are unaware of. This can be done for free at www.experian.co.uk.

Deposit, Contract, Inventory

A deposit (usually equal to one month’s rent, though at the discretion of the landlord this may be more) is taken in cleared funds before the contracts are signed, and is held in accordance with a recognised deposit scheme (usually the Deposit Protection Service (DPS)), to be returned to you at the end of your tenancy, subject to deductions for any damage caused. You will then be asked to sign the tenancy agreement, which clearly sets out everyone’s responsibilities. Finally an inventory should be taken, protecting both your and your landlord’s rights by recording the items in the property and their condition.

Depending on the landlord’s agreement with us we may take charge of some or all of these stages in this step.

Congratulations, you’re in

Once the deposit money has cleared, the paperwork has been signed and the inventory has been completed you will be handed the keys on the pre-determined date and you can move into your new home.