Tenant Zone

Rental properties move fast in the current market, so try to allow as much time as possible when you’re searching. Register with us so we can make you aware of new properties as soon as they come on the market. Properties are usually advertised with a per calendar month rent which is paid monthly in advance. Initial letting terms are usually 6 months, however some landlords will consider longer terms.

Call us on 01244 402940 as soon as you see a property you’re interested in. Properties can go under offer within hours of coming onto the market, so make sure you bring any joint tenants or decision-makers with you when you view. It is also advisable to have the reservation fee with you in case you see your ideal home and want to reserve it straight away.

The fees payable will be:

• A reservation fee that has to be paid and this can be by cash, debit or credit card please note that there is a 3% charge for credit card payments – this is required immediately to take the property off the market
• At least one month’s rent – this is due at least 5 days before you move in
• Deposit – due at least 5 days before you move in

Single application: £195

Joint application: £260

Company application: £300

Additional costs:

Guarantor application: £65

International application: £65

These fees must be paid in cash, by debit or credit card, please be advised that there is a 3% charge for credit or business cards and these fees are non-refundable

Your reservation fee, which is non refundable, is required when you submit your completed application form, please ensure that you are happy with your decision to proceed before making an application.

Please note that payment of the reservation fee does not guarantee your tenancy; it simply allows us to proceed with your application and generation of references. If at any time the application falls through, for example if you (or your guarantor) decide not to proceed, alter the terms of your offer, fail to supply the information we need or your references are declined, the fee will be lost.

References generally take around 3-5 days to come back. When they do come in, we’ll be in touch to arrange the payment of the rent & deposit and agree a moving date.

In cases where there is a lengthy period between putting in your offer and the intended moving date, or where there is possibly other interest in the property, some landlords may require you to sign contracts early and pay at least your 6 week security deposit in advance. This is to both party’s benefit, as once this is done you can be assured the property cannot be offered to someone else and similarly the owner is assured you are committed to move in.

Rent is paid by standing order, however your first month’s rent and deposit must be paid at our offices by cash, debit or credit card (there is a 3% charge for payment by credit or business card) banker’s draft, building society cheque made payable to Humphreys of Chester. You can also arrange a bank transfer at least five days before your move-in date. Unfortunately we can’t accept personal cheques.

These monies will usually be as follows, (For example) Monthly rent of £600.00

• One months rent @ £600.00 
• Month and a half @ £900.00 
• TOTAL £1,500.00

Tenancy Deposit

Deposits are generally a month and a half of rent. Your deposit is held in accordance with your tenancy agreement and isn’t held by us – it is held by the Deposit Protection Service.

Deposit Protection Service

Humphreys have joined the DPS scheme for Regulated Agents. This has been introduced to ensure that tenancy deposits are securely held and that disputes about their return are resolved quickly, cheaply and fairly.

Deposits held under this scheme will be protected during the tenancy so they are available to be returned to the tenants if they have met the terms of the tenancy agreement. Where there is no dispute at the end of the tenancy, the deposit will be returned promptly. Where there is a dispute about the allocation of the deposit it will be dealt with fairly and quickly by the Independent adjudicator.

Referencing and minimum criteria to be met?

The Landlord will want us to be sure that you are able to afford your rental payments, are in permanent employment and that you have a good credit history (or an acceptable guarantor where necessary). If you believe you fall outside the perimeters below, please call us to discuss your personal circumstances and we will advise you as to your options.

To combat identity fraud all Applicants and Guarantors are required to provide valid forms of Photo Identification.

Ideally, you should be in full-time, permanent employment with a good credit history. However please talk to us if you do not fit this criteria, as there are other options available – for example to students or those who are retired. Further information is below.

To begin with, we will need a valid form of Photo Identification. This is to combat identity fraud. We accept the following documents:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• National Identity Card
• UK Armed Force Identity card
• NUS Identity card

You will then be asked to fill in a detailed application form which we will send to our tenancy referencing company.

 What criteria do I need to fulfil?

 Individuals or couples

You should:

• Be in full-time continuous employment, and have been for not less than 6 months. In the case of graduates in new employment, we will need a copy of your formal contract of employment. If you have been employed for less than 6 months, you will need a Guarantor
• If you are employed on a temporary contract, we will need evidence of the last 12 months’ earnings
• Have a good credit history
• Have good references from a previous landlord/managing agent, if applicable.

Foreign nationals must prove continuity of employment either in the UK or abroad and provide a contract of employment in the UK equal to the tenancy term. A Guarantor may be required if you have recently arrived into the country – each case will be treated individually.

You will need a Guarantor in the following cases:

• If the rental commitment is more than 50% of your annual gross income
• If you have an adverse credit history which has been declared.

Companies

You must be a Limited Company registered at Companies House, with up-to-date accounts and annual returns. New companies with no filed information will require a Director’s guarantee. If you are not a limited business, you will be treated as an individual application.

Students, unemployed & Housing Benefit/Local Housing Authority applicants

You will need a UK-based guarantor to guarantee your tenancy (a further fee of £65 is payable for this). Each student and guarantor will be assessed on their proportion of the rent. If you can’t provide a guarantor, you must pay the rent for the full term of the tenancy in advance.

Housing Benefit and Local Housing Authority applicants also need a UK-based guarantor.

Self-employed

We will need two years of filed accounts for proof of income. Please provide us with your Accountants details and give them permission to release this information to us. If you don’t have an Accountant, we will need three years’ authenticated self assessment forms from the tax office. If you have been self-employed for less than two years, you will need a Guarantor, or to pay the full tenancy rental amount in advance.

Retired

We will need a copy of your pension statement as proof of income. If there is no pension, we will consider the following:

• Long-term savings, i.e. proof of six months’ savings amounting to three times the sum of the rent for the term of the tenancy
• State pension – this will always be taken into consideration.

What criteria do you need to fulfil to be a Guarantor?

You must:

• Be a property owner in the UK – if not, you should have a monthly income which is at least three times the monthly rental amount
• Have a good credit history with no County Court Judgements, Individual Voluntary Arrangements or bankruptcies
• Be in employment or in receipt of a pension.

In what circumstances would I be declined as a tenant?

You would be declined if you have:

• Any undisclosed adverse credit history (County Court Judgements, Individual Voluntary Arrangements and bankruptcies)
• County Court Judgements totalling an excessive amount – disclosed or otherwise
• An adverse reference from an existing Landlord, Managing Agent or Employer.

When you have been accepted as a Tenant, we will get you into the office to sign an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement. This is a legally binding document that commits you to paying the rent until the end of the term. This must be signed by all applicants and guarantors (where applicable).

You will then need to pay your tenancy deposit (generally 1 ½ months rent) and your first month’s rent upfront. This can be paid at our office in cash, by bankers’ draft or by arranging a bank transfer of the funds at least five days before you are due to move in. Unfortunately we can’t accept personal cheques.

Thoroughly check your contract before signing. If you have agreed any additional clauses, make sure it is in the agreement before signing. If when you agreed your letting, the Landlord promised to make certain additions to the furnishings or change items of decoration to suit your needs, make sure they are listed on an attached addendum, to the Tenancy Agreement and signed.

Property Contents Insurance

It is our policy to ensure that tenants have adequate insurance cover to protect them during the terms of their tenancy. We will need to see a copy of the insurance policy before we can grant the tenancy.

In the majority of cases the properties will not include bedding, linen, crockery, cutlery, etc. If during your initial visit to your intended property the previous tenant is still in occupation, it is important to establish which items of furniture etc belong to them and which belong to the Landlord. Items belonging to a previous tenant are not included in the letting.

Protect your Deposit and your own Contents

As a tenant, your personal possessions can be at risk from fire, storm, water damage and possibly theft during the time in your rented property. You may suffer loss or accidental damage to your and your landlord’s belongings whilst at home, and as you are legally responsible for them, it is imperative that you are fully covered.

It can be difficult to find the right cover – it is often very restrictive or provides more cover than you require (and hence premiums can be costly). We have a relationship with HomeLet who provide affordable contents insurance specifically for tenants. For an instant quote and cover call us today on 01244 402940.