Renting a Property
At Ted George we work hard to make the process of renting a property as simple and transparent as possible.
When you get in touch with us we will ask you for information about yourself such as your contact details, who the property is for, any children or pets you may have and the type of property you are looking for.
Once you’ve found a property you would like to rent through us and once you have had your offer accepted by the landlord (subject to contract) we will ask you to complete an application form (which will ask for a character, bank and a previous landlord reference and a credit check on each applicant) and to pay the holding deposit.
We will then process your application, do a reference check and obtain the landlord’s approval. After the signing of the contracts and payment of the rent in advance and deposit (equivalent to 5 weeks rent) you are ready to move in.
Terms and administration fees for tenants:
Reservation Fees:
Holding deposit - equivalent to one week's rent
This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This deposit will be withheld in part or full if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraws from the tenancy, fails a Right-to-Rent check, provides materially significant false or misleading information, or fails to sign their tenancy agreement within 15 calendar days of paying the holding deposit (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing)
After you move in:
Permitted fees
Lost key(s) or other security device(s).
Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a charge of £15 per hour (inc. VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).
Unpaid rent
Interest is payable at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.
Variation of contract (tenant’s request) £50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation.
To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Change of sharer (tenant’s request) £50 (inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher.
To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Early termination (tenant’s request)
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.
Payment of rent
The first instalment of rent must be paid in cleared funds when you sign the tenancy agreement. Thereafter, rent is payable by standing order to arrive on the due date as stated in the tenancy agreement. This means that the standing order must be set up so that the funds leave your account three days before the rent is due. The full rent must be paid by a single standing order, we are unable to accept multiple standing orders.
Deposit
A deposit equivalent to five weeks of rent must be paid in cleared funds when you sign the tenancy agreement and is held by Ted George as Stakeholder for the duration of the tenancy in accordance with the terms of the tenancy agreement and where applicable we will register the deposit monies with a deposit protection scheme on the landlord's behalf. Ted George excludes liability in relation to loss caused by the insolvency of a financial institution which holds deposits in its contracts with landlords and tenants.
All deposit deductions must be agreed in writing by both landlord and tenant upon the termination of the tenancy. The tenancy agreement entered into is between the landlord and the tenant and, therefore, the tenant cannot hold Ted George liable for any deductions made from the deposit which may fall into dispute. Any interest earned on the deposit shall be retained by the company holding the deposit.
References
We will take up references based on the details that you have supplied to us. These references may be passed to our client so that they can make a decision on granting a tenancy. You are responsible for any administration charges levied by your own bank in relation to obtaining a reference.
Before the tenancy can proceed you need to provide us with a photo ID in the form of a passport or EU driving licence.
Checking in and out
Ted George will be instructed by the landlord as to what arrangements are to be made for the inventory and check-in.
Property Management
We will tell you at the start of the tenancy who will be managing the property. If we are managing it we will usually need consent from the landlord before carrying out any repairs or maintenance and we may need to ask you to provide access to the property.
Guarantor’s Referencing
Depending on the outcome from your application / reference check you may need to have a guarantor to proceed. This is not uncommon, and means you have someone on your behalf that undergoes credit referencing – to ensure they have sufficient earnings to cover the overall rent commitments in the event that you, as the tenant, are unable to pay your rent.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to insure your belongings in the property.
Utilities
You will be responsible for the payment of all utility bills and council tax for the property during the tenancy (unless agreed otherwise) and you will be responsible for notifying the relevant utility companies that you are moving in or out.
Tax
If you pay rent directly to your landlord's bank account and your landlord is resident overseas, you will be responsible for applying the provisions of the HM Revenue and Customs Non-Resident Landlords scheme for taxing UK rental income and should ask us for advice on this.
Anti Money Laundering
Ted George is required to abide by the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. As a result we will need to ask you for suitable identification, and will be unable to proceed on your behalf if we are unable to obtain this from you.
VAT
All charges made by Ted George are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.
Complaints
Should you have a complaint to make we would ask you to write to us at the following address:
James Withey, Ted George Estate Agents, Old Bank Premises, High Street, Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6BA
We will acknowledge receipt within 3 days and reply to you within 15 days. Should you not be satisfied by our response you are entitled to raise your issue with The Property Ombudsman.
Client Money Protection is provided by Client Money Protect. Redress through The Property Ombudsman Scheme.
