The Rental Process

Why rent through us?

We can offer a professional and helpful service to help find the right home for you. Please find below some useful information that will guide you through the process of renting with us.

Application

Once settled on a particular property you wish to rent, we will ask you to complete a written application form. The planned commencement date shall also be determined.

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 landlord against all reasonable costs incurred should you withdraw from the agreement or fail to take up the tenancy within the agreed timescales. This is payable at the same time as the Agency Fee.

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, using an independent referencing company.

Information to prospective tenants on referencing
Online Application:
You will receive an online application from Veri-Check Plus Ltd on behalf of I Am The Agent. If you could please complete this within 24 hours so that your referencing can be progressed as quickly as possible.

 
Employment References:
I Am The Agent understand that some employers will not provide references unless written authorisation has been received. You will have received an authorisation form via email. If you could complete and return this to your employer/HR department.
 
If you are in full time employment, you will be required to provide 3 months payslips in addition to the employment references.
 
As part of your application, you will be required to provide a copy of a recent utility bill/bank statement as your proof of address, you are able to upload this to the system at the point that you complete the online application.
 
If you are currently self employed, you will be required to provide the following documents as your proof of income:
 
6 months Bank Statements 
Tax Return Accountants reference (if you use an accountant)
 
If you have not yet started your employment, you will be required to provide a copy of your employment contract/offer letter.
 
Landlord References:
 
You will need to ensure that you have served the correct notice prior to Veri-Check being able to obtain a landlord reference. Please note that should your previous landlord be a managing agent, there may be a fee attached to the reference and you will need to ensure that this has been paid if applicable.
 
Guarantors:
 
If a guarantor is required for your application they will also be required to complete an online application and employment references will need to be obtained. Should they be self-employed then 6 months Bank statements, a Tax Return or an Accountants reference will be required as proof of their income.
 
N.B: Should your referees not return the references within 5 days of your application being added, your reference will be put on hold until these have been received.
Should we decide a guarantor is required before a tenancy can be granted; the same process of referencing will apply to the guarantor.

Restrictions

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

Smokers
Housing Benefit
Students
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 will require a written reference from your bank and accountant. We will 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 a minimum of one month’s 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. A statutory certificate is then supplied to the tenant, advising on which approved scheme protects the deposit. This must be done within 14 days of the tenancy start date. Please speak to one of our representatives for further information.

What happens if there is a dispute at the end of the tenancy?

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.

When can I 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.

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. Please speak to one of our representatives, who will instruct you further.

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.

Please speak to one our representatives for further details.

Rent

Rents are paid in advance and by standing order unless otherwise agreed by the landlord / agent.