Tenant Guidance Notes

Finding a Property

The first step is to contact us to provide brief details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. We then search our database for suitable properties for you to view. If the property is not needed at that time, we will record your details so that we can contact you as suitable properties become available. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move, to ensure you find the property that’s right for you.

Viewings

Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends, and you will invariably be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.

Reserving the Property

Once you have decided on a property, you will need to pay a non refundable holding deposit, usually of £250.00 preferably cash or a cheque providing it clears quickly. Assuming that the tenancy goes ahead, this will be deducted from the monies due before you move in. If the landlord declines to grant the tenancy, the holding deposit will be refunded in full. However the deposit will be forfeit if you decide not to proceed for any reason, or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application.

References

As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer, and a previous or current landlord. We may also require a personal reference, and sometimes a guarantor in certain circumstances; in addition a credit check will be undertaken. We use FCC Paragon, an independent referencing company to carry out the referencing. Each applicant over the age of 18 will need to be referenced at a cost of £24.00 per person, a short form will be given to you to complete when the holding deposit is taken.

Rent

Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly and payable monthly in advance and normally set up by standing order at the beginning of the tenancy. The tenant is responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs unless arranged differently before the start of the tenancy. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account, all utility companies and council tax departments will be notified by us at the start of the tenancy.

Dilapidations Deposit

A security deposit of a minimum of one months rent must be paid, and will be held with the government authorised Deposit Protection Services (DPS). This is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by the tenant to cover rent.

In some circumstances if both the Landlord and the Tenant agree, a no deposit scheme can be taken out, paid for by the tenant. The “No Deposit” Insurance Scheme from FCC Paragon is an insurance policy paid for by the Tenant at a cost of £145.00. The Scheme is totally unique and provides an alternative to the landlord or agent taking deposits. More details are below.

FCC Paragon’s No Deposit Insurance Scheme

• Benefits Include:
  Up to a maximum of £50,000 to negotiate a settlement in respect of a claim we have accepted under the insured incident. This includes any dilapidation payments paid out to the landlord which will not exceed a maximum of the total of one month's rent as declared on the tenancy agreement.
• No need for tenants to pay a deposit
• Widens prospective tenant base to include those who might not be able to raise a large deposit
• Payment will be processed directly to the landlord within 14 days of a claim being accepted
• Rapid settlement without lengthy arbitration
• Tenant can move on quickly
• Conclusion by email via referencing

Insurance

Orchard Property Services are able to offer a range of insurance policies for Tenants;
Contents up to your selected sum insured for damage to your household furniture, equipment, furnishings, clothing and personal possessions whilst in your home.

Landlord’s Contents Accidental damage cover to your landlord’s contents, fixtures & fittings for which you are responsible.

Personal Possessions up to your selected sum insured for loss or accidental damage to your clothing, watches, jewellery, spectacles, other valuables whilst away from your home anywhere in the UK or whilst temporarily elsewhere in the world. Further details are available on request.

Fees

Non-Refundable Holding Deposit £250.00

Referencing Fees £24.00 (per applicant)

Tenancy Admin Fee 60.00 (Will be paid with the first months rent and deposit)

First months rent and dilapidations deposit will be paid before or on the start of the tenancy, the funds MUST be cleared before you can move into the property.