Renting Through Us

STAGES OF APPLICATION:

REGISTER YOUR DETAILS

You can register your details and property preferences with us and we will work to match properties to you.

APPLICATION

Once settled on a particular property you wish to rent, we will ask you to complete a written application form.  By completing and submitting your application, there is no guarantee of the tenancy and the landlord is not under any obligation to accept you.  Each named appplicant will be required to provide one form of photographic ID (driving license or passport).  You will also need to provide one form of ID linking you to the current address (utility bill or bank statement).

HOLDING DEPOSIT

In order to take the property off the market until the planned tenancy commencement date, a holding deposit is required. The holding fee secures the property for you while the referencing takes place and secures Landlord against all reasonable costs incurred should you withdraw from the agreement or fail to take up the tenancy within the agreed timescales.  The holding deposit is equivalent to 1 week's rent.

REFERENCING

As part of the application, we will endeavour (with your permission) to obtain written references to support the information you provide. This will usually mean contacting your employer, current or previous Landlord and someone to give you a character reference. We will also carry out a credit search, ID checks and a Right to Rent check, using an independent specialist company.

Should we decide a guarantor is required before a tenancy can be granted; the same process of referencing will apply to the guarantor. 

TENANTS INFORMATION:

Information for Tenants: Properties in England

RELEVANT LETTING FEES AND TENANT PROTECTION INFORMATION

In addition to paying rent for the property, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

Before the tenancy starts: -

Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent 

Once the tenancy agreement has been signed: -

Deposit: 5 weeks rent (max). The holding deposit that is paid will be deducted from the total deposit required.

During the tenancy: -

Payments to other third parties: such as Council Tax, utilities or payments for communications services

Default Charges: such as payments for the replacement of lost keys or interest on overdue rent 

Tenancy Transaction Charges: such as requests to vary or assign the tenancy

TENANT PROTECTION

Haystack Property Ltd is a member of Client Money Protection Scheme (CMP) which is a client money protection scheme, and a member of Property Redress Scheme (PRS) which is a redress scheme. You can find out more details on the agent’s website or by contacting the agent directly. 

RESTRICTIONS

Some landlords may wish to apply certain restrictions to a tenancy. Please find below some examples of typical restrictions that may be imposed.

You should be advised of any restrictions before an agreed viewing of a property takes place.

SELF EMPLOYED APPLICANTS

If you are self-employed, we may require a written reference from your bank or accountant. We may also require accounts, usually dating back 3 years. 

STUDENT APPLICANTS

If you are a student who cannot prove a consistent and sufficient income, you will need a parent, relative or close friend to guarantee the rent and adherence to any other tenant obligation listed within the agreement.

TENANCY DEPOSIT SCHEME

At the start of every tenancy, we collect a deposit normally equal to one month’s rent but a maximum of 5 weeks rent.  This is used in the event of breakage or damage caused.

In accordance with the Housing Act 2004, landlords are no longer permitted to retain a tenant’s deposit and must select either an insured based or custodial based scheme in which to hold a Tenant’s deposit.  Haystack Property use the custodial based scheme.  A statutory certificate is then supplied to the tenant advising the reference and holding account number. This must be done within 14 days of the tenancy start date.  

Haystack Property Ltd uses the Deposit Protection Service (DPS):

Deposit Protection Service, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6AA                   

Telephone number: 0870 707 1707           Email: enquiries@depositprotection.com

TENANCY DEPOSIT DISPUTE

In the event of a dispute, both parties will have 10 days to resolve the matter. If no resolution has been reached, they will be invited to make use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution process that is provided free with their chosen deposit scheme. Should the parties opt for Alternative Dispute Resolution they will be bound by its decision with no redress to the courts.

CHECK IN

As soon as we receive satisfactory replies to our reference enquiries, we shall contact you to agree a time to move in on the planned commencement date.  

TRANSFER OF UTILITIES AND COUNCIL TAX

We would advise that for the start of the tenancy, you arrange for Gas, Electric, Water, Telephone and Council Tax accounts to be transferred into your name.   

TENANTS INSURANCE

When renting a property, it is very important to make sure you are covered by insurance for any damages that may occur. The landlord’s own insurance will not cover the tenant’s belongings. It will also exclude cover for if a tenant accidentally damages the landlord’s property and therefore it could result in the loss of your deposit to cover the repairs. Haystack Property can advise of specialist tenant insurance, if required.

RENT

Rents are paid in advance and by standing order.