Property Rental Guide

What other initial costs are involved in renting a property?

Make sure you budget for renting the property. There are a number of significant outgoings at the beginning of the rental. Usually you pay a refundable holding deposit of one weeks rent per tenancy & the first month’s rent upfront.

There maybe an admin fee with an agent, check with your agent. There is sometimes utilities on top or included, this needs to be established, again ask the rental agent. Deposits will need to be paid for utilities and damages.

What ongoing costs are involved in renting a property?

Once you have moved in, you will have ongoing costs, including your monthly rental payments, your council tax payments, these are sometimes included in the rent, but needs to be clarified before you take the property. There will usually be utilities including gas, electricity and water and phone bills, fibre or broadband and monthly line rental.

Take everything into account when deciding to rent. It is also vital to pay, on time & in full, as it affects your credit score.

How do I get my rental deposit back?

The tenancy deposit legislation sets out that a damages deposit held in relation to an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) must be registered by the rental agent or landlord with an approved protection scheme.

Once the funds have been registered you will receive confirmation from the scheme with instructions of how to apply for the deposit back at the end of the rental. Separate authorizations from both you & the landlord to release the funds based on the condition the property is submitted.

Who is responsible for the garden?

It’s always great to have a garden, but you must be able to maintain it & keep it in good order.

At the end of rental, the garden should be returned in a similar condition as it was at the start of tenancy, or the landlord could make a claim against your deposit sort it out.

As a tenant, do I need content insurance?

The landlord may insure the rented property & cover the building & the furniture & fittings that it comes with. As a tenant, we strongly recommend that you insure your possessions, this will not be covered by the landlord's policy if you suffer any loss or damage. You can find tenant policies that cover damage to the property or any of the landlord’s fixtures & fittings that you could be liable for.

Who pays for utility bills & council tax?

The tenant is usually responsible for the bills eg. Council Tax, TV License, gas, electricity & water. Responsibility of bills by the tenant will be detailed in the rental agreement.



It is important to note that a TV licence doesn't automatically move when you move from property to property - this can be done at www.tvlicensing.co.uk

A tenant must notify TV Licensing of their new address, or you could end up being unlicensed in your new property.

For what other purpose can residential rented property be used?

The main reason for renting the property must be for residential use. You cannot register or conduct a business from the property, or contravene the local bye laws.

This does not mean a tenant cannot ‘work from home’ under certain circumstances, providing this does not involve client visits at the property, & delivery and collection of goods, or causing nuisance to neighbors or the property, registered child minding.

However this can be assessed on a case-by-case basis & if the landlord agrees, an additional clause will be added to the tenancy agreement.

simple property rentals

We really strive to make this a pleasant experience for all parties, with our expert property rental agents, you always feel looked after.

Rental monies are kept in a ring-fenced client account and further protected by Client Money Protection