New Tenancies

If you are interested in renting a property, we will first send you a link to complete an online application form where you will need to provide some basic details before paying a holding deposit (step 2). This is so we can initially determine whether or not the property may be suitable for you, and whether or not you may meet the required referencing criteria (step 3).

You won't need to send us any documents at this stage, however the details you provide on your application may be compared with the information on your formal referencing, so it is important that you are honest with the information you provide otherwise you may lose your holding deposit.

If your application is successful, the next step is to pay a holding deposit to reserve the property. 

In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the holding deposit cannot be more than 1 week's worth of rent, therefore depending on the monthly rent, the holding deposit usually equals around £100-£150. 

Before making payment, we will send you a holding agreement outlining the terms of the reservation, including under what terms the holding deposit is refundable or not. Once signed and received, the property will be taken off the market, reserving it for you.

If your referencing (step 3) is successful, your holding deposit will be credited against your first payment of rent (step 4).

This is the longest part of the process usually taking around 3-5 working days, however it can be completed quicker depending on how quickly you provide the information required. To complete your part of the referencing can take as little as 20 minutes, assuming you have all the required information to hand.

The referencing company we use is called Canopy and we will send you a link to set up your free online referencing account. You will be required to provide specific information and documents as proof of the below criteria to be accepted for a tenancy:

• Proof of identity and right to rent in England 
• A credit file with no County Court Judgements (CCJs) or bankruptcies (The credit check is a 'soft check' and will not affect your credit score)
• An average annual income, of at least 30x the monthly rent / 40% of your average annual income before tax. 
• An employers reference if you are employed, or your latest SA100 tax return if you are self-employed (we may also require a reference from your accountant depending on how long you have been self-employed) 
• Proof of current address, and a landlord/agent reference if you are currently renting

DEPOSIT REPLACEMENT (Available on the selected properties)

We have partnered with Flatfair offering tenants a more affordable option as an alternative to paying a 5-week refundable tenancy deposit.

If you wish to use Flatfair No Deposit, you will also need to meet Flatfair's referencing criteria. This is very similar to the above criteria, however we will apply to Flatfair on your behalf using your reference report from Canopy once completed, therefore you won't need to carry out another reference check.

Learn more about the deposit options available here.

UK GUARANTOR

If you don't meet the referencing criteria, the landlord may ask for a guarantor. Your guarantor must also carry out a reference check and meet the guarantor criteria:

• A credit file with no County Court Judgements (CCJs) or bankruptcies (The credit check is a 'soft check' and will not affect your credit score)
• An average annual income, of at least 36x the monthly rent
• Proof of current address in the UK

If a guarantor is required, but don't have anyone to support you, we have partnered with RentGuarantor who may be able to guarantee your tenancy.

*Please note if you do not meet the above referencing criteria or have a suitable UK guarantor, and as such you are declined by Flatfair No Deposit and do not wish to pay a tenancy deposit, your tenancy application may be cancelled and you may lose your holding deposit.

If your referencing is successful, we will send you a tenancy agreement outlining the terms of your tenancy for your review and signature. 

In most cases, we collect rent on the 1st day of each month, therefore although the rent is paid monthly, your first payment of rent may be prorated to the end of the month in which your tenancy starts, minus your holding deposit already paid. This means that, depending on the amount of your holding deposit and the day your tenancy starts, you will likely pay less than a month's rent before moving in, or you may even be in credit!

Tenancy deposits, or the use of Flatfair No Deposit, is required so that the landlord is protected against any rent arrears, damages or cleaning etc. at the end of your tenancy. 

Your tenancy agreement, rent and tenancy deposit (or Flatfair No Deposit fee), must all be signed and received before your tenancy starts and we hand you the keys.

We will meet you at the property on an agreed day and time to show you around as a reminder of where everything is, run through the inventory report and some safety items, and answer any questions you have before handing you the keys. 

Once you have the keys, you can come and go as you please and start enjoying your new home!