Rental Guide for Tenants

SINCE 1969

Register with us!The first thing to do is tell us what you require. You can contact us by phone, through our website or by visiting our office. If we do not have any suitable properties available, our team will register your requirements to ensure you are amongst the first to receive details of any matching properties.

Your search begins hereYou can use our websites search facility to select properties that you are interested in and contact us to arrange a viewing. In the current market, popular properties rent very quickly, it is highly recommended to get an early viewing to secure a property.

ViewingsWe are able to arrange viewings from Monday to Friday between 10.00 am and 6.30 pm and on Saturday between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm. In some cases we need to give 24 hours notice for viewings. We accompany every viewing so we’re on hand to answer any questions you may have. We also understand the busy lifestyle that people have today and our team are often willing to work outside of these hours to accommodate your viewing – just ask us!

Property reservationOnce you have identified a suitable property we will put forward your offer to our client, the Landlord. You will be required to pay a holding fee which goes towards your full deposit. If your application is successful then the holding deposit will be put towards the completion monies due on or before the commencement of the tenancy. If the landlord decides not to proceed then the holding deposit will be returned. Paying a holding deposit in no way obliges either party to enter the tenancy. Please note that acceptance of your offer is always subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of the pre-contract agreement by both parties. Once this has been done, we will immediately stop any further marketing of the property and start the referencing.

Referencing checksAll individuals over the age of 18 who will be residing in the property must be referenced and named on the agreement. To speed up the process of obtaining references we use a specialist credit-referencing agency, which normally report to us within 2-4 days. Each applicant will be charged a an Agency fee of £125 + VAT (Includes references, preparation of legal documents & Check In service). Each applicant will be entitled to one free guarantor. Any subsequent guarantor that may be required will cost an additional £40.00 + VAT. Where applicable, a landlord reference may be required.

The TenancyIf the tenancy is to be in the name of individuals then in most cases it will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. In the event that your employer will be undertaking the tenancy on your behalf then the company will be identified on the Agreement as the Tenant.

If the references are satisfactory, you will be able to proceed with signing the Assured Shorthold Tenancy. Prior to your move in date we would require the first month’s rent, tenancy deposit and Inventory charges to be paid by BACS or bankers draft. The monthly rent is then payable by a monthly standing order from your bank account

A Deposit Protection Certificate will be issued on the commencement date of the tenancy.

The Inventory / Schedule of ConditionAn inventory/schedule of condition will be prepared by Charles Sinclair for when you check in and check out of your property. The inventory will need to be signed by all relevant parties. The Inventory is a list of everything that is provided in the property along with information on the condition of interior decoration, furnishings and any outdoor space.

www.charlessinclair.com

Rental Guide for Tenants

T: 020 7622 1180

‘Here at Charles Sinclair we believe in making the rental process for tenants easy and transparent, this is why we have created this brief rental guide which we hope will answer any questions you may have. But do feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss any aspect of this guide. We would love to hear from you!’

Residential Sales, Lettings, Management and Financial Services.

SINCE 1969

The check inOne of our team members will check you into your new home and will at this stage go through the Inventory/Schedule of Condition, which must be agreed on and signed by both parties. Meter readings will be taken. The tenant is responsible for the payment of council tax and for all utilities during the tenancy including gas, electricity, telephone and water charges. At Charles Sinclair you are free to choose your utility suppliers in order for you to get the best possible deals. If any agent/landlord is forcing you to switch energy suppliers they are breaking the law.

Property managementSometimes the landlord instructs us to manage the property on his behalf. When we act as the managing agents you must report any problems relating to the property to us immediately. This will help to ensure we can deal speedily with matters in accordance with the Landlord’s instructions.

Safety, security and insuranceAn annual Gas & Safety check is done on all our properties and you will be provided with a certificate/report. You should also find smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector in your new home.

The Landlord is responsible under the terms of the Agreement for providing buildings insurance and also for insuring his own contents. You should also consider insuring against any accidental damage caused by you to the landlord, property or effects. We recommended that you also take a personal contents insurance policy to cover against any accidental damage and in the unfortunate event – theft. Our staff will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Got a TV, DVD, computer or mobile? If you watch or record TV as it’s being broadcast, then you’ll need to get a TV License.

Termination of tenancyAt least one month before the end of your tenancy you have to let us know if you wish to terminate or renew your Tenancy Agreement. Should the tenancy be terminated then an inventory check out will be

arranged. The property should be ready to hand over in a clean and tidy condition. We make this point as additional costs can be incurred by you if it is necessary to employ the services of professional cleaners or gardeners after you leave. All keys must be handed to the agent or the Landlord at the time of check out and you will have no further access to the property

These notes are for general guidance purposes only and do not constitute a contract between a prospective tenant and landlord and this company, nor do they supersede or amend the terms of the Tenancy Agreement, a draft of which is available for inspection upon request.

Finally some useful serviceswww.accessstorage.com – Self Storage

www.zipcar.co.uk – Car and Van Hire

www.mydeposits.co.uk – Tenant Deposit Scheme

www.safeagent.co.uk – Letting Agents Scheme

http://www.tpos.co.uk/ - Property Ombudsman Scheme

http://www.fortresslock.co.uk/ - Locksmith

http://www.manandvan.biz/ - Removals

https://www.maras.co.uk/public/tenantInsurance.aspx - Tenants Insurance

https://www.royalmail.com/delivery/inbound-mail/redirections - Mail redirection

http://www.swlondoner.co.uk - Whats On In London Guide

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ - Find your local GP

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/ - Mums Guide to SW London

www.uswitch.com – Utility comparison website

http://hungryhouse.co.uk/ - Takeaway Food

www.ocado.com – Online Grocery

www.tfl.gov.uk – Transport Information

www.charlessinclair.com

Rental Guide for Tenants

T: 020 7622 1180

Residential Sales, Lettings, Management and Financial Services.

SINCE 1969

http://www.thekeengroup.co.uk/ - Licensed London Cabs

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ - TV Licensing

www.lambeth.gov.uk – Lambeth Council information

www.wandsworth.gov.uk – Wandsworth Council Information

www.southwark.gov.uk - Southwark Council Information

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/ - Royal Borough of Chelsea and Westminster Council Information

www.charlessinclair.com

Rental Guide for Tenants

T: 020 7622 1180

Residential Sales, Lettings, Management and Financial Services

T.

SINCE 1969