Q. I have found a property I would like to rent. What do I do now?

A. The first step is to call or email the Lettings Agency and make an appointment to view the property. After the viewing, if you you wish to proceed with an application, we will confirm all terms with you and put these to the Landlord for approval. If the Landlord agrees to the suggested terms and accepts your offer subject to contract and references, we will then ask you to pay a holding deposit. Once paid, we will remove the property from the market, cancel all further viewings and commence processing your application.   

Q. What does the referencing involve?

A. Prospective tenants applying to rent a property are required to give details relating to their residential history and employment. This information is utilised alongside general background checks in order to assess the suitability of a Tenant. Generally, Tenants are required to earn 30 x the monthly rent per annum, in order to meet the affordability criteria to pay monthly. If this is not the case, we will discuss a plan regarding method of payment prior to taking payment of your holding deposit. Using proof of savings, a guarantor or paying rent in advance can all be viable alternative options.

Q. Will I need to show ID?

A. When you first apply for a property we will require a copy of your passport and any relevant visa documentation. At this stage we will also require proof of your current address in the form of a utility bill, bank statement or similar, dated within the last 3 months. These documents then enable us to add you to the referencing platform and the referencing company will then request further documents in order to fulfil their requirements. On the day your tenancy starts we will also require each tenant to bring their passport/visa documents with them to our office so that we can check these in person prior to releasing keys.

Q. How much is the deposit?

A. The holding deposit is equivalent to 1 weeks rent and is payable at the point of an offer being accepted and when you are ready to secure the property subject to contract and references. If all moves forward as planned with your application, this sum can then be remitted towards your first rental payment. You should only pay a holding deposit when all terms of your offer have been agreed and you are certain that you wish to proceed with a property. In addition to this, there is also a security deposit payable prior to the start of a tenancy. This is equivalent to 5 weeks rent and is held in a registered deposit scheme for the duration of your tenancy. These funds can then potentially be used at the end of your tenancy to cover the cost of any damage to the property.

Q. Who holds my deposit?

A. The Landlord/Agent are required to register all deposits with an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Kensington Lettings register their deposits with the Deposit Protection Scheme. You will receive details of the scheme on commencement of your tenancy and the DPS website explains in detail how the deposit release process works. 

Q. What is a Tenancy Agreement and do I need to sign one?

A. A Tenancy Agreement is a legal Contract signed by all parties. It clearly states the terms of your tenancy including any individually negotiated clauses. The Tenancy Agreement needs to be signed by all Tenants and the Landlord or Landlords Agent.

Q. Am I allowed to make changes to the property?

A. If you wish to make any material changes to the property you must always first seek the permission from the Landlord or Agent.

Q. Can my Landlord enter the property at any time?

A. Your Landlord must give you a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to entering the property, unless it is deemed to be an emergency, in which case immediate entry is permitted by necessity.

Q. What do I do if I want to end the tenancy?

A. You will need to give written notice to the Landlord/Agent in writing. The exact notice period required will be defined in your Agreement and will depend on a number of factors, such as whether you have a break clause, are in a fixed term tenancy or are in a rolling periodic tenancy. If you are unsure of the period of notice you are required to give, your Agent will be able to advise.