Your search begins by finding a property that you would like to rent. Allow as much time as possible, particularly if you need to move in a busy season.

Our rental properties are usually advertised with a per calendar month rent which is paid monthly in advance.

Initial letting terms are usually 6 months, however many landlords will consider longer fixed terms which can guarantee you undisturbed occupation of your property of up to 3 years.

Properties can go under offer within hours of coming to market, so it is important to bring with you any joint tenants or decision-makers that may need to see the property with you. It is also advisable to have funds available just in case you see that ideal home and want to leave a reservation fee.

Once you have settled on a property you will be asked for:-

• A Property Reservation Fee (CASH ONLY) - immediately
• At least one months Rent – at least 5 days before you move in
• Tenancy Deposit – at least 5 days before you move in

Single application - £195

Joint application - £260

Company application £300

Guarantor application £65

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.

Payment of the reservation fee does not imply a tenancy; it simply allows us to incur expenditure and process your application with confidence. If you (or your guarantor where required) decide not to proceed with the tenancy, alter the original terms of your offer, falsify information, fail to supply further information necessary to allow us to complete the referencing process, or your references are declined, the fee is lost.

References take between 3-5 days for completion, once your references have been approved you will be notified and required to pay the balance of your move in monies and sign contracts the day your tenancy commences, before the Landlord will allow you to move into the property.

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.

All rent is paid by standing order. Your first months rent and deposit can be paid at our offices by cash, bankers' drafts or building society cheque made payable to Humphreys of Chester. You can also pay by arranging a bank to bank transfer of the funds at least five days before you are due to move in. Please notify us with your chosen method of payment. Unfortunately personal cheques are not an acceptable form of payment.

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

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

Tenancy Deposit

Your deposit on taking the property is held in accordance with your tenancy agreement. It is held by the DPS (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.

The following documents are accepted: Passport; Driver’s License; National Identity Card; UK Armed Forces Identity Card or NUS Identity Card. All other forms of I.D. are not acceptable.

Each Applicant Should:

• Be in full time continuous employment for not less than 6 months or in the case of graduates in new employment, be able to provide a formal contract of employment for our files. If work is of a temporary nature through a recognized agency proof of 12 months continuous earnings must be provided
• Have a good credit history
• Have good references from the previous landlord/managing agent, if applicable
• Foreign national must be able to prove continuity of employment either in the UK or abroad and provide a contract of employment for their current post in the UK equal to the tenancy term
• For Company applications: All Companies must be Limited and registered at Companies House with annual returns and accounts up to date. New Companies with no filed information will require a Directors Guarantee. Non Limited businesses are treated as Individual applications.

An Applicant will need a guarantor when:

• He or she is a student
• He or she is unemployed
• He or she has not been working continuously in full time employment for 6 months
• When the individual rental commitment is more than 50% of the annual gross income
• Has recently arrived from overseas for new employment. Each case will be treated individually and contracts of employment will be required
• Has an adverse credit history which has been declared

Each guarantor must be:

• A property owner in the UK - if not then we recommend that they should have a monthly gross income of 3 times their monthly rental commitment
• Have a clean credit history - subject to appeal
• Be in employment or in receipt of pensions

An applicant will be declined if he/she:

• Has any undisclosed adverse credit history (County Court Judgments, Individual Voluntary Arrangements and bankruptcies)
• Has CCJ's totaling an excessive amount, disclosed or otherwise
• He or she has an adverse reference from the Landlord, Managing Agent or Employer

All applicants and guarantors will be asked to complete a detailed application form for submission to our tenant referencing company.

You will be signing an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement. This agreement is a legal and binding document. You will be committed to paying the rent until the end of the term. Before you are able to move in, the contract must be signed by all the applicants (and guarantors where necessary). For convenience signing can be arranged individually at our office before move in day.

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

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

We at Humphreys realise how difficult it can be for tenants to arrange the right insurance cover for their contents, personal possessions and liabilities towards the landlord’s contents, fixtures, fittings and building. Often such cover is either very restrictive or provides more cover than tenants normally require and premiums can be prohibitive.

As tenant your personal possessions can be at risk from fire, storm, water-damage and possibly from theft during the time in your rented property. You may suffer loss or accidental damage to yours and your landlord’s belongings whilst at home.

Accidents do happen and as your tenancy agreement clearly states, you are legally responsible for them. Unfortunately they can quite often cost hundreds of pounds.

Protect yourself now with Endsleigh Tenants Contents Insurance, a policy specifically designed for tenants at an affordable price.

FOR AN INSTANT QUOTE AND COVER CALL 0800 783 2526 quoting ref: 00902286