Tenant Application Guide

Application Forms

Application forms need to be completed in full by each person aged 18 or over who will be occupying the property. Each applicant will receive a bespoke link to complete and submit their application through our online portal.

The property will be let in its current condition as viewed. Any requests or conditions must be clearly stated within your application for consideration.

Submitting an application does not create a tenancy or contractual obligation.

Right to Rent Checks

Along with your application you will need to provide the agent with your right to rent documents. Right to Rent checks must be completed before a tenancy can legally commence. Failure to provide valid documentation may result in your application being declined.

What is Right to Rent?

Right to Rent requires lettings agents in England to check that all tenants who occupy their properties have legal status to live in the UK. This means that before you can rent a home in England, a letting agent must undertake ID checks prior to letting out the property.

When carrying out a Right to Rent check, your letting agent must carry out a check on all prospective tenants over the age of 18, even if they are not named on the tenancy. This includes checking an original form of ID (from a list of acceptable identification documents) in the presence of the prospective tenant or viewing a tenant’s Right to Rent online via the Home Office ‘share code’ system.

Application Process

All completed applications will be presented to the landlord, who will make the final decision on which applicant to proceed with.

Applications are considered based on the information provided, including affordability, suitability for the property, and ability to proceed within the required timeframe. We operate a fair and consistent process and do not discriminate on unlawful grounds.

Once the Landlord has made a decision to proceed with your application, we will also contact you to request a holding deposit equivalent to one weeks’ rent to secure the property whilst referencing is carried out. The prospective Lead Tenant will also receive a Reservation Form to sign via digital signature. Only once this form has been signed and the holding deposit paid will the property be reserved.

Information regarding holding deposits:

We will agree with all parties in writing the deadline for agreement based on a provisional start date for the tenancy. Subject to satisfactory checks, the balance of the Holding Deposit will be applied to the first months’ rent payable at the commencement of the tenancy.

Instances where we will retain the Holding Deposit:

• Tenant provides false or misleading information which the Landlord can reasonably consider when deciding to let a property – this can include a tenant’s behaviour in providing false or misleading information

• Tenant fails a Right to Rent check

• Tenant withdraws from a property (unless a landlord or agent imposed a requirement that breached the ban or acted in such a way to the Tenant or Relevant Person that it would be unreasonable to expect a Tenant to enter into a tenancy agreement with them)

• Tenant fails to take all reasonable steps to enter into a tenancy agreement and the Landlord or Agent takes all reasonable steps to do so (unless a landlord or agent imposes a requirement that breaches the ban or acts in such a way to the Tenant or Relevant Person that it would be unreasonable to expect a tenant to enter into a tenancy agreement with them).

Referencing

You will be issued with links from a third party referencing company to complete a form to enable references to be carried out, including but not limited to, income checks, credit reference and renting history. Applicants will be required to meet affordability criteria, typically based on a multiple of the annual rent, unless otherwise agreed. Whether or not a tenancy will be granted will be based on the outcome of the checks. 

In all cases it can be quicker for the referencing company to complete your references if you were to opt into Open Banking. Open Banking is an optional service that allows you to securely share your financial information with the referencing provider. This can significantly speed up the referencing process compared to traditional methods.

Once references have been approved and your application has been accepted you will be issued with the Tenancy Agreement which will need to be signed by all parties in advance of the tenancy start date. Once the tenancy agreement has been signed, you will also be issued with a Move In Statement outlining the outstanding balance payable before the start of the tenancy in cleared funds, which will include the following:

• Security deposit

• First months’ rent minus the balance of the holding deposit already paid.

The Agent will arrange for the Check-In appointment with you at the property on the tenancy start date where the keys will be handed over and they will run through any guidance relating to the property or its contents. Keys will only be released once all required funds have been received in cleared funds.

In the event that the Landlord is personally managing the ongoing tenancy you will be advised of the Landlord’s direct contact details, otherwise the Agent will be your point of contact throughout the duration of the tenancy.

Tenant Fees

Tenancy Amendments

An administration charge will be payable in advance for any amendments during the tenancy when requested by the Tenant, for example, requesting a change of tenants or addendums to the agreement.This charge will not exceed £50 (including VAT) or the reasonable costs incurred if higher.

All changes requested by the Tenant are subject to the Landlords agreement. In line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, only permitted payments will be charged.

Late Rent

Any late rental payments will be subject to interest at the rate of 3% over the Bank of England Base Rate, calculated from the date the payment was due up until the date payment is received. Interest will only be charged on rent that is more than 14 days overdue.