Frequently Asked Questions - Tenants

Where do you advertise?

We advertise our properties to let in most local publications including Bath Chronicle, Somerset Guardian, Frome Standard, the ‘Property’ Paper, in our window displays, on our website at www.baronsproperty.co.uk and on www.rightmove.co.uk.

 

What condition will the property be in?

We recommend to our landlords that properties are properly prepared for let and that any decorating jobs are undertaken prior to the start date. Furniture should be of good quality or removed all together, windows clean and domestic appliances serviced.

Once your application has been submitted and accepted an inventory will be prepared by the landlord or ourselves. This is not just a list of included furniture and belongings, but a schedule for the condition of your property. This can be compared to a schedule of dilapidation’s prepared at the end of a tenancy to avoid any dispute. Photographic evidence is often taken as part of the inventory process.

What do I do if I see a property I like?
Once you have viewed a property that you would like to take we will ask every person over the age of eighteen to complete an application form. These forms must be returned to our office with an ‘application fee’ of £100 plus vat (£100 per property NOT for each application form), which is part of your legal and processing fee (this is not a reservation fee). If you withdraw from the application, at any stage, we reserve the right to retain an administration fee of not less than £50 plus vat.

If your application is successful the £100 fee will be set against the initial account payable for the property. Applications normally take 7 – 10 days to complete. Once your application has been completed we will contact the Landlord of the property and advise you if your application has been successful. If the Landlord withdraws from the transaction the fee will be returned in full, unless the applicant’s references and/or credit checks are not acceptable to the Landlord’s requirements, when the £50 deduction plus vat will still apply.

If your application is successful you will need to pay the first months rent in advance, security deposit, which will vary from property to property so please confirm this amount with the negotiator that you view the property with, and the remaining legal and processing fees of £70 plus vat.

Will I get my deposit back?
One of the biggest concerns for a tenant is 'how safe is my security deposit, will I get my money back?' The deposit will be protected by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of The DPS. The Terms and Conditions and ADR rules governing the protection of the deposit including the repayment process can be found at www.depositprotection.com. This is designed to ensure that you will get all or part of your deposit back when you are entitled to it.

What type of tenancy will it be?

The tenancy agreement we use is very comprehensive. An initial contract is usually prepared for no less than 6 months. All tenancies are now assured shorthold, unless stated otherwise. To gain possession the landlord should serve the tenant two months written notice. The tenant is required to serve the landlord one months notice, after the initial six months. Thereafter, it is perfectly acceptable for the tenancy to run on a month to month basis, with termination as above.

When is rent due?

Rent will me required a month in advance on the due date by cleared funds. This would be preferred by Standing Order but we also accept Bankers Draft or Cash.

Do I pay for utility costs?

Tenants will assume responsibility for all services charged at the property including: gas, electricity, water, sewerage, council tax etc…and will need to comply with the requirements of the individual suppliers.

Do I need insurance?
You will be responsible for insuring your own contents but we recommend that all tenants take out a home contents insurance policy. Please speak to one of our staff further who should be able to provide further details of any policies you may wish to undertake.

Do I need identification?

You will be required to provide a driving licence or passport, and additional proof of residence i.e. current utility bill, mobile phone statement, bank/credit card statement etc.

What are the fees?

On submission of a fully completed tenancy application we require a fee of £197.50 + VAT (£232.06) for Processing and legal costs, should we need a guarantor a further charge of £50 + vat will be required. We ask for an initial payment of £100 to secure the property (Subject to contract) and the remaining amount must be paid when signing the tenancy agreement. Should an applicant withdraw once processing has commenced we will withhold £50.00 of the application fee to cover administration costs.

If you are interested in one of our properties, please view our printable Tenant's information.