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    Karwood

Tenants Guide

Tenancy Information

New Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST's) signed on or after 1st June 2019

The following charges are payable or potentially payable by a tenant:

  • Holding deposit - A maximum of one week's rent
  • Security deposit - Five weeks' rent, rising to six week's rent when the annual rent is in excess of £50,000
  • Rent and Utility bills - Payable as outlined in the Tenancy Agreement
  • Unpaid rent - Interest at 3% above the Bank of England base rate, as outlined in the Tenancy Agreement
  • Lost Keys - Tenants are liable for the cost of replacing any lost keys or security device, including a change of lock or replacement of device if required
  • Amendments of Tenancy Agreement at Tenant's Request - £50 per change
  • Early Surrender of the AST at Tenant's Request - Should a tenant need to surrender the tenancy early and the Landlord agrees to re-let the property, the liability for the payment of rent will end once a new tenant is found and takes up occupation. However, the tenant will still need to cover the Landlord's costs in surrendering the tenancy and re-letting the property

Non AST's signed on or after 1st June 2019

For any individual tenant not renting a property under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy the following charges are also payable:

  • Tenancy Administration charge - £180 per tenancy
  • Reference charge - £60 per tenant or guarantor
  • Check-in charge - £144 per tenancy
  • Renewal charge - £144 per renewal

If a tenant decides to rent a property through us in the name of a business or company the tenancy administration and reference charge will be £480 for a new tenancy and £240 for every renewal.

All prices are inclusive of VAT.

As a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for sales and lettings we subscribe to TPO’s Codes of Practice. This Government approved independent redress scheme gives consumers additional protection beyond that required by law. Our clients have peace of mind that there is free and fair redress available in the unlikely event of an unresolved dispute involving our agency.

Property reservation Payment

Once you have found a property you would like to rent with Karwood, we will ask you for the equivalent of one weeks' rent as a reservation fee.

By providing a holding deposit you agree for Karwood to carry out a credit check, right to rent check, current landlord reference and employment reference.

Should the landlord decide not to accept your offer by the fifteenth day, your reservation fee will be fully refundable.

However, should you decide not to proceed with the rental, omit or provide false or misleading information or where the landlord/agent tries their best to get information needed, but the tenant fails to provide it within fifteen days or fails a right to rent check the reservation fee will become non-refundable.

Tenant/Guarantor Checks

You will be asked to provide two forms of valid Identification; one must be a travel document and the second must have your current address i.e. driving licence.

You will also be asked to provide your bank statements history for the last three months and wage slips.

Tenancy Agreement

Both the Landlord and tenant(s) will be required to sign a tenancy agreement prior to the tenancy commencing, the agreement outlines both tenant and landlord obligations.

Most tenancies run for a period of up to 12 months, automatically becoming a rolling contract after the initial fixed period. It is important you note that the agreement is made between landlord and tenant, we act for the landlord only.

Payment

Once a moving date has been agreed and references have all been approved by the landlord, the tenancy agreement will need to be signed by all parties. The initial monies will be due, 24 hours before move in and no money can be exchanged on Saturdays:

The following will be needed:

  • Deposit equal to five weeks' rent
  • The first month’s rent in advance (rent is worked out on a per calendar month basis), which is, if you are not aware; the weekly rent, multiplied by 52 weeks and divided by twelve months to give the per calendar month rental figure

Payment can be made by debit/credit card, via the phone, paid into our bank account showing as cleared or by cash at our offices, 8 Broadway Parade, Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 3HE 24 hours before move in.

Managed Properties

We do get instructed to fully manage some of our landlord's properties, if this is the case with your tenancy we will inform you prior to your tenancy commencing. If we are managing then any faults with appliances or problems within the property will need to be reported to us and we will deal with the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. Failure to report an ongoing problem may turn the onus onto you; please report any problems you feel need attention.

Rental Payment

Rental payments are always made by standing order from the tenants' bank account to the landlord's bank account, with the exception of managed properties whereby the rental payment is made to us.

Notice to End a Tenancy

To terminate your tenancy subject to terms, you will normally be required to give us at least one month notice in writing of your intention to leave.

The responsibility for your belongings are down to you, you must ensure you have adequate contents insurance, the landlord accepts no responsibility and cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to tenants possessions.

Inventory

A well-prepared inventory and check-in report protects landlords and tenants alike, providing an accurate description of the condition and contents of a property at the start of a tenancy.

The condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy is then compared back to this report in the form of a check-out report. The inventory clerk will also provide an opinion on whether any damage that has arisen during the tenancy is attributable to the tenants, to 'fair wear and tear' or to the landlord as required maintenance.

Deposit Returns

When your tenancy ends, an inspection of the property will be carried out, either by the landlord or an independent inventory clerk instructed by the landlord. Your deposit will be returned subject to any deductions agreed by you and the landlord and by the terms of the deposit scheme it is held in. Incase of dispute the agent or deposit holding company will help to mediate a resolution.

Tenants' Obligations

The responsibility for the property lies with the tenant during the period of tenancy, always ensure that the property is fully secured and that during the winter months steps are taken to prevent freezing of the water and heating system.

Property Inspection

If we are instructed as managing agents for your property, we will carry out quarterly inspections to assess the condition of the property and that everything is being kept in a satisfactory condition. We will always arrange this with you at a mutually convenient time.

Council Tax & Utilities

It is the tenant's responsibility to inform the utility companies of their occupation of the property at the commencement of the tenancy and to pay council tax to the local authority. Students, who may be exempt from the payment of council tax are responsible for informing the Local Authority of this.

Wherever applicable VAT will be charged at the current VAT rate.

Why choose us?

Rest assured, as a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for lettings we subscribe to TPO’s Codes of Practice. This Government approved independent redress scheme gives consumers additional protection beyond that required by law.

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