You may withdraw your application within 24 hours and receive a full refund of the holding deposit. After that the holding deposit may be forfeited if the application is withdrawn. Otherwise, the holding deposit becomes part of the Dilapidation Deposit at the start of the tenancy.

*NB: We will not remove a property from our availability list until the rental agreement has been signed and deposit paid. It is therefore imperative that you get your application to us at the earliest opportunity.

In certain circumstances a guarantor may be required. The guarantor is normally a member of the applicant's family who is of sufficient means to guarantee the payment of rent.

Start of Tenancy    top^
Once satisfactory references have been obtained you will be contacted by the Property Manager to arrange a tenancy start date. On this date all parties to the agreement must meet at the property to sign the tenancy agreement and to complete a standing order mandate for the payment of future rent. Payment will be required for rent in advance , the Dilapidation Deposit and our agency administration fee of GBP 100.00 plus VAT. The total amount will be detailed on a statement which will be provided prior to the commencement date.

You will then be given the keys and a copy of the tenancy agreement.

You and the Property Manager will then go through the Inventory together and check off the items as listed. The utility meters will be read and suitable letters will be prepared for you to take over the accounts.


Rent Payment     top^
Rent in advance is payable on the same date of each month based on the date you take over the property. This is normally by standing order directly into the landlord's account.

Sharing groups should ideally arrange to make one joint payment


Dilapidation Deposit    top^
A dilapidation deposit is payable before the start of any tenancy and is usually equal to 6 weeks of the rent. The deposit is held by landlord and is returned within 14 days after the property has been vacated, the keys returned and an end of tenancy inspection of the property carried out by the Property Manager. Any necessary cleaning or repairs/replacements will be charged against the deposit, and will cause a delay in the return of the deposit balance.


Inventory     top^

An inventory of contents and schedule of condition is prepared for each property prior to letting. The Property Manager will go through the inventory with you.

Any discrepancies in the contents or the condition descriptions will be noted. A copy will be made for the Landlord and you keep the original.

It is important that you do check the inventory as it forms the basis of the inspection to be made after the end of the tenancy.


Utilities & Council Tax     top^
You will be responsible for water, electricity, gas, council tax, telephone and internet bills on the property.

We will arrange the transfer of water, electricity and gas accounts by taking meter readings prior to the start of the tenancy and then submitting the necessary letters to the suppliers concerned.

We will notify the relevant Local Authority of the commencement of your tenancy so that they will invoice you directly for Council Tax. Please note that if you are a single occupier you are entitled to a 25% discount.

We cannot make any arrangements to connect a telephone and suggest you contact either BT (0800 150111) or NTL (01256 752000) at least three working days prior to occupation.

A television licence and any cable, digital or satellite television arrangements will be your sole responsibility. However, if a cable, digital or satellite service is not already available at the property you must contact us for written permission prior to installation.


Insurance     top^
The landlord is responsible for insuring the main structure of the building and any of their fixtures and fittings. This will not cover your belongings and you are therefore advised to take out separate insurance cover in this respect.


Vacations and Frost Damage     top^
You must notify us in writing when the property will be left vacant for more than one week.

During cold periods the property should not be left empty without any heating, due to the risk of freezing and bursting pipes. Water should be turned off at the mains stopcock whenever a property is left empty for the winter months.


Maintenance and Repairs     top^
You must contact us immediately in respect of any maintenance problem. The landlord is responsible for the fabric and services of the building, plus any fixtures and fittings such as kitchen appliances; except in the instance whereby the damage or fault has arisen due to neglect or misuse. Expenses incurred without prior approval may not be refunded.

We have an in-house Maintenance Department so we can respond quickly to any reported problems, subject to the necessary authority from the landlord. You will appreciate that we are the custodians of the landlord's money and, as such, there are occasions when we need to refer to the landlord for their specific instructions.

If the property has gas, an annual safety check is required by law. You will be expected to allow our appointed Engineer reasonable access.


End of Tenancy     top^
When you wish to terminate the rental agreement you must give two months notice in writing (after the first six months have expired), to be received at our offices in Elstree no later than two working days after the date of the notice.

Where a property is vacated before the end of a notice period and a re-letting is arranged for part of the notice period, a refund of rent may be made for that part-period.

Keys must be returned to our offices on, or before, the day of vacating the property, together with a forwarding address. Failure to return keys will result in a continuing liability for rent.

An end of tenancy inspection will be carried out jointly with you and the Property manager, and any faults will be identified. During the inspection electricity and, gas (and water, if applicable) meter readings will be taken and we will notify the service provider of the end of your tenancy and liability. You must provide us with your forwarding address.