Applying for a property

Once you have found a property that you like, make sure you are prepared to move quickly to secure your new home by having everything ready in advance. The paperwork you will asked to produce may include the following:

• Your bank details
• Recent bank statements
• A letter from your employer confirming that you work for them
• Your pay slips
• Your employment contract

If you cannot produce any of the above documents, please advise your letting agent before you part with a holding deposit.

Right to rent

From the 1st of February 2016 new regulations state that all residents renting property should be able to prove they have the right to rent in the UK. Right to rent checks are standard procedures that will apply to all tenants. For more information please see the link below

https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-document

During a right to rent check you can expect the landlord to check the immigration status of everybody over 18 that will be living at the property. No checks are needed for children under the age of 18. A landlord or letting agent may charge a fee for a right to rent check.
The landlord will do follow up checks if your right to rent in the UK is limited. This will be done at the latest of these dates

• After 12 months at the property
• When your right to remain in the UK expires
• The date you passport expires.

Costs related to renting

If you register your details with an agent they cannot charge you to do so and they cannot charge you for viewings however there are other costs involved such as:

• Payment of the Rent
• Payment of a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than five week's rent where your total annual rent is less than £50,000, or six week's

rent where your total annual rent is £50,000 or above

• Payment of a refundable tenancy holding deposit (to reserve the property) capped at no more than one week's rent

• Payments to change the tenancy when requested by the tenant, capped at £50.00, or reasonable costs incurred if higher

• Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy , when requested by the tenant

• Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax

• A default fee for late payment of rent and replacements of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement

A letting agent cannot charge you for:

Any charges which are not covered by the Tenant Fees Act 2019, such as:

• Routine inspections throughout the tenancy
• Anything they already charge the landlord for