Tenant Information

PREPARATION & PRESENTATION

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.

ADVERTISING

As an established letting agent we attract numerous enquiries
for rental property every day. However, we advertise all of our
rental property in the most prominent window display in the
High Street, on the Internet (via both our own and other high
profile websites i.e. Rightmove) in the local press and through
advertising boards.

RENTAL APPLICATION FORM

Should you decide to rent a property a tenancy application
will need to be fully completed by each individual over 18
years of age wishing to rent a property.

Fees - On submission of a fully completed tenancy application
we require a fee of £200.00 for Processing
and legal costs, should we need a guarantor a further charge of £50 will be required. We ask for an initial payment of
£200.00 to pre book the property (Subject to contract), this
does not guarantee you the property and the remaining first
month's and deposit amount must be paid prior to signing the
tenancy agreement. Should an applicant withdraw once
processing has commenced we will withhold £170.00 of the
application fee to cover adm inistration costs.
THE £200.00 DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT
if yoll wish to secure the property (subject to referencing) we
will require a holding fee equivalent to the first months rent of
which will be converted to the first months rent on
commencement of the tenancy. (non refundable)

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. It is important to note that until your application
forms and reservation fees are received, the property will
remain available. Once you are accepted for the property the
reservation fee will be offset against the Application fee. We
will liaise with you to agree on a start date for the tenancy.
Should you change this date once the contracts have been
drawn up, there will be a £50 admin charge to amend
the contracts.

REFERENCES

We use Homelet & Rent shield who undertake referencing
and credit checking for both you and your guarantor. This
process usually takes 3-7 working days. Should we need a
guarantor a further charge of £50, if your guarantor proves to
not be suitab le for any reason and an alternative guarantor is
needed, you wi ll be charged an additional fee of £30.
Please check with our office for guarantor suitability

SECURITY DEPOSIT

We require a minimum 6 weeks rent as a security deposit; this
is returnable at the end of the tenancy in accordance with your
Tenancy Agreement & Deposit Protection Service Agreement.
Please ensure you fully understand the new legislation as of
April 6th 2007. The deposit will only be returned as one
single cheque or direct credit payment only. It is your
responsibility to separate it between any joint tenants.

INITIAL PAYMENT

The first months Rent, the Security Deposit and the balance of the Contract and Administration Fees must be received as cleared funds before the tenancy commences. If paying by personal or Company cheque, this must be received ten (10) days prior to possession.

RENTAL PAYMENTS

All rental payments are required monthly in Advance via
Standing Order. At the time of signing the Tenancy
Agreements a bank Standing Order form will be presented for
signature. Please ensure you have the correct bank details of
the account the rent is to be paid from . The whole rent is to be
paid via ONE standing order and can NOT be split between
tenants. All rent payments will be made to a Somerset Property Lettings Property
Centre client account. We can also accept most major card
payments.

INVENTORY & SCHEDULE OF CONDITION

Once a tenant's application has been submitted and accepted
an inventory should be prepared by the landlord or agent. 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 The document will
be checked and agreed & signed off by each tenant during the
move-in. A checkout fee of £25 will be charged for
unfurnished properties and £35 will be charged for
furnished properties at the end of the tenancy.

TENANCY AGREEMENT - 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

Tenancy Renewal
If a fixed term tenancy is renewed for a further period e.g. 6 or
12 months a fee of £60.00 is applicable.

INSURANCE
We recommend that all tenants take out a home contents
insurance policy.
Somerset Property Lettings can provide information for a very competitively
priced, tai lor made insurance policy specifically designed for
tenants. This can be set up quickly over the phone and can be
paid either in full or by instalments. Please contact us for more
information . The Landlord is responsible for the insurance of
the buildings and any contents they own.

KEYS

A set of keys to the main entrance door will be provided for
each adult tenant. We take your safety and security serious ly.
You are NOT permitted to cut new keys or change locks to the
property without the permission of Somerset Property Lettings . If you lose a key
or believe someone else has a key to your property you must
contact Somerset Property Lettings without delay.

UTILITIES

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 suppl iers. We will read all the
meters, and advise the relevant utility provider to set up
Accounts in your name. We also advise the Council Tax
Office of your residence and will do the same when you move
out. You are permitted to change the suppliers of your gas,
electricity and water. However, you must provide full details
of who your suppliers are and provide copies of final utility
bills when you leave the propelty. Your Security Deposit wi ll
not be released until we have these details. You must organise
the connection and disconnection of all telephone, cable and
internet services yourself.

RETURNED CHEQUES/MISSED PAYMENTS

We regard the payment of rent on the due date to be of the
utmost importance. A fee of £25.00 wi ll be
charged as an administration charge in the event that the
payment of rent is not received on the due date, unless prior
arrangement has been agreed in writing by Somerset Property Lettings . Cheques
returned to us unpaid will incur an administration fee of
£25 .00.

DAMAGES AND ACCIDENTS

Any damage to the property or repairs required must be
reported immediately to Somerset Property Lettings in writing and on 07702 812022 who will take the appropriate action. We endeavour to undertake repairs as quickly as possible with the least hassle to you.

GENERAL

We take great pride in our business of property management.
It is very important to us that you are happy in our property
and that you feel at home. We ask that you co-operate with us
to ensure that you, the landlord and Somerset Property Lettings all benefit from
the situation.