Important Information for Tenants

Somerset Property Lettings (SPL) is a letting agency which offers property for let on behalf of our client the landlord. The landlord is SPL’s client and therefore SPL cannot offer advice on the tenancy to the tenant and we advise tenants to seek independent legal advice or speak to the citizen’s advice bureau to ensure they understand and are happy with the terms of the rental of a property through SPL.

The rental of any property through SPL is subject to contract and until contracts are signed the tenancy is not confirmed. All tenancies will be subject to each tenant being fully referenced and the tenant is liable for the cost of the referencing process.

If a landlord withdraws a property after a tenancy has been agreed the tenant will be refunded all fees apart from the referencing fees.

A deposit and the first months rent must be paid in full 7 days prior to the start of the tenancy agreement. This can be paid by the tenant directly into SPL’s client account, the details of which will be supplied by SPL once the referencing process has been completed and approved by the external referencing agency. The landlord will have the final say on who they accepts as a tenant.

Once a tenancy agreement has been signed and dated it is legally binding and the tenant is responsible for the payment of the rent for the entire period of the tenancy agreement. If the tenant is unable to continue with the tenancy regardless of circumstances they will remain responsible for the payment of the rent for the entire period of the tenancy.

The minimum notice period required from a tenant after the end of the initial fixed term is 1full calendar month and this must coincide with the start date of the tenancy agreement. Therefore notice must start on or prior to the date of the tenancy agreement and must be put in writing (eg if the tenancy starts on the 1st of the month the notice period must start on the 1st of the month).

SPL accept no responsibility if a property is withdrawn by a landlord irrespective of how much notice is given.

The type of lease used by SPL is an AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement) unless otherwise agreed in writing between the landlord and tenant.

The AST used by SPL is produced by ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents).

Deposits will be paid into SPL’s client account and once funds are cleared the deposit will be forwarded to either the landlord who has the responsibility of depositing it with the Deposit Protection Service or insuring the deposit with an insurance based scheme. If SPL are instructed by the landlord to manage the deposit SPL will deposit the deposit with the Deposit Protection Service for the duration of the tenancy. At the end of the tenancy the deposit will be refunded to the tenant once an exit inspection of the property has taken place. If any deductions are to be made based on any damage caused by the tenant during the tenancy these will be discussed and agreed with the tenant at the end of the tenancy. If an agreement cannot be reached an independent adjudicator will be instructed to investigate the claim made by the landlord. The DPS will be instructed to refund any undisputed amount of the deposit to the tenant in a timely manner.

Rent must be paid on time by standing order directly into either SPL’s nominated client account or directly into the landlord’s band account if the property is not managed by SPL.

When SPL is the managing agent for a property they should be contacted if there is a problem with the property at the earliest opportunity by the tenant. In a property managed by the landlord the tenant must inform the landlord rather Than SPL.