Renting Process

Whoever you are planning to rent from these are some fundamental renting basics that you need to know.

What’s included?

Make sure you commit to a rent you can afford - don’t forget to account for utility bills, council tax, internet etc. Unless otherwise stated your council tax and other bills won’t be covered by your rent.

You’ll be asked to pay a holding fee (fee of intent), this removes the property from the market while we obtain references subject to contract. When you move in the holding deposit is deducted from your first month’s rent.

william rose operate thorough checks on all our tenants via an independent referencing company. You will need to pass a credit check, residential history check and provide employment references. If you don’t pass some of the checks, or have limited credit history, then you may need to pay additional rent in advance or have a UK guarantor.

What if I have a pet?

Not all landlords will love Fido or Fluffy. However, with good references from previous landlords plus an additional deposit to cover any damage from paws or claws, your landlord may agree to you renting.

Always the landlord. A letting agent might be managing the property and therefore your first point of contact, but the landlord remains the legal contracting party. An agent who moves you in won’t necessarily be managing the property ongoing; make sure you know who is doing what.

Does the letting agent work for me?

Letting agents should treat you fairly but are working in the best interests of the landlord.

The holding fee secures the property for a maximum of 2 weeks whilst references are being obtained. The security deposit, subject to agreement, goes towards any potential damage or repairs or unpaid rent owed when the tenancy ends. Landlords are legally obliged to protect security deposits either by paying them into a custodial Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme or using an insurance-based scheme.

What’s an assured shorthold tenancy?

Most residential tenancies will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy of 12 – 36 months in length. This is an industry standard contract that can be amended to reflect agreement between landlord and tenant, for example allowing pets or providing a break clause.

A break clause allows either the landlord or tenant to end the agreement early, this has to made in writing, usually 6 months before the end of the tenancy. Without this you will need to wait until the end of the tenancy to move out, unless your landlord agrees to another tenant replacing you. william rose will be happy to assist you should you find yourself in such a position.

Do I have to let the landlord in once I’ve moved in?

The landlord will officially need to give you a minimum of 24 hours’ notice in writing if they intend to enter the property. Inspections are necessary to ensure the property is being well maintained and to make sure small repairs don’t become bigger issues that affect your stay. The best tenant and landlord/agent relationships are those where there is some give and take on both sides.

Yes of course you can. Having a friend stay overnight is fine but everyone living at the property should be named on the tenancy. If anyone is staying for longer than 2 weeks you must inform the landlord in writing and seek permission before letting them do so. Otherwise you may be breaching the terms of the tenancy agreement by ‘subletting’.

What do I do if I need to leave?

Contact william rose immediately if you think you may need to break your contract early and we can advise you on the best options to suit your needs. Before you can vacate the property, you must give notice. This should be:

• In writing

• As per your tenancy agreement (usually 2 months’ notice is required) if you don’t give proper notice, you may still be liable for rent even if you are no longer living at the property.

At the end of the tenancy a check out inventory will identify any damage needing to be paid for (if applicable). Once that is agreed your deposit will be paid back to you minus any agreed deductions.

• Holding Deposit (per tenancy) — One week’s rent
• Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent under £50,000 per year) — Five weeks’ rent.
• Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent of £50,000 or over per year) — Six weeks’ rent
• Unpaid Rent 
• Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s)
• Variation of Contract (Tenant’s Request) — £50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation
• Change of Sharer (Tenant’s Request) — £50 (inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or  any reasonable costs incurred if higher
• Early Termination (Tenant’s Request)