Tenants Guide

A rewarding rental experience!
We are always here for when our tenants need us...

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Once Cross & Prior have helped you find your perfect rental accommodation, we can assure you your rights will be fully protected as most of the properties we look after are fully managed and our let only landlords are well known to us and are completely aware of their obligations.
We always take care of our tenants and we have produced the following guide, which covers many of the key areas that will concern you during your tenancy, in order to make sure life in your new home is enjoyable.

Tenancy Agreement Inventory

As move in date approaches we will send you a draft of your
tenancy agreement, giving you ample opportunity to read
before signing.
If there is anything you do not understand, do not hesitate to
contact us for an explanation as you are entering into a legally
binding agreement which is for a fixed term of 6 or 12 months.

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the most commonly used
agreement in the renting of residential properties, and as such
will provide you with security of tenure for the agreed term.

On the day you move in, you will be given a fully prepared
Inventory of the furniture and fittings, contents and decoration
as well as the property condition.
We will ask that you check this thoroughly and make sure any
check in comments are recorded, as this could assist you to
avoid any disputes occurring when it comes to checking out.

This is one of the most important documents in the renting of
your home and can often be key in deciding how much of
deposit you get back at the end of your tenancy agreement.

Payments Utilities

Prior to moving in, you will need to pay your first month rent in
advance and a deposit which is held in trust on your behalf in
a government backed scheme.
You will be given full details of where to pay your monthly rent
on a set date during your agreement. Rent is paid by standing
order to ensure you never fall behind in your rental payments.

Make sure to tell us if your circumstances change for any
reason, as we can help you by discussing with your landlord
a possible solution to protect your tenancy.

We ensure that you will have connections to all utilities before
you move in, we also provide you with all of the current utility
meter readings and suppliers contact details.
You are responsible for payment of all utility bills and Council
Tax except where agreed otherwise in your agreement. You
must register with the relevant suppliers upon moving in.

You need to notify the utility companies and local authority of
your moving out date at the end of your tenancy. Your deposit
will not be refunded until all utilities have been settled by you.

Repairs & Maintenance Emergency Services

If you are in one of our managed properties, then we will be
your first point of contact for all repair and maintenance issues
during your tenancy.
Where we are not responsible for the management, you will be
given your landlord’s contact details at the start of your tenancy
in case you need to report any maintenance problems.

All of our managed properties comply with the current safety
regulations. We will provide you with a copy of the Landlords
Gas Safety Certificate and Energy Performance Certificate.

We operate a 24/7 emergency service and aim to deal with
any urgent matters that you might have promptly and
efficiently during out of office hours.
We have access to a host of experienced tradesmen, who would
attend your property at the earliest convenience to all parties
and be ready to put right whatever the problem in quick time.

We ask all tenants to only use this service when there is a real
emergency, not for problems that could easily wait until the next
working day which we will respond to them in a timely manner.

Contents Insurance Inspections

Your landlord generally takes out building insurance to cover
the property that you rented, but is not responsible for insuring
any of your personal possessions.
We therefore strongly recommend that you obtain suitable
contents insurance to protect your belongings against theft,
damage, or fire, in order to provide you with peace of mind.

As a tenant, you will be liable for any breakages, so you need
to consider protecting your deposit from deductions for any
accidental damage to your landlord's property and the contents.

If we manage your rented property, we will carry out regular
inspections to check the current condition of the property and
that everything is being kept in good order.
We will arrange these visits at a mutually convenient time with
you in advance, usually 2 or 3 times a year. If tenancy has not
been conducted in the right manner, visits will be more often.

It will also give you an opportunity to raise any issues you wish
to bring to our attention. If you need to notify us about repairs
we would again recommend you keep a record of this.

Renewals Moving Out

We will write to you approximately two months prior to the end
of your tenancy to see whether you wish to continue with the
tenancy for a further period.
If you decide to extend your stay at the property, we will liaise
with your landlord to discuss the terms of the renewal, and the
new agreement will be sent to you for signature and return.

If you are not sure what your plans are, a periodic tenancy which
rolls over until either you or your landlord give the required
notice to vacate the property will be the best option for you.

To terminate your tenancy, you will normally be required to
give at least one month notice in writing of your intention to
leave, unless otherwise specified in your agreement.
It is worth putting in a bit of work, to get the property up to
scratch to ensure a full deposit refund. If applicable refer to
your copy of the inventory as a point of reference.

We will contact you to arrange showing the property to any
potential tenants as stated in the terms of your agreement,
however you will be given reasonable notice of all viewings.

Check Out Deposit Refunds

At end of your tenancy, either we or your landlord will carry out
an inspection to go through the move in inventory, in order to
check the condition of the property.
The property should be left the same as when you moved in
except for normal wear and tear. If anything is damaged, you
should agree the cost of repairing or replacing such items.

If an agreement cannot be reached as to the damage items or
repair costs, you can get your own estimates and then we will
discuss the matter try to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

You should make sure that there are no rent arrears, and have
paid your final rental payment, and all utility bills are paid up to
date to enable a quick deposit return.
Once we have checked you out, you have returned all keys
and if there are no disputes, then you can expect to receive
your deposit in full within 10 working days

If a dispute arises, you will have the right to go to alternative
dispute resolution, but this may cause delay in receiving your
deposit. Please read our Deposit Guide for more information.

Share:

A rewarding rental experience! We are always here for when our tenants need us...
Share:
Once Cross & Prior have helped you find your perfect rental accommodation, we can assure you your rights will be fully protected as most of the properties we look after are fully managed and our let only landlords are well known to us and are completely aware of their obligations. We always take care of our tenants and we have produced the following guide, which covers many of the key areas that will concern you during your tenancy, in order to make sure life in your new home is enjoyable.

Tenancy Agreement	Inventory
As move in date approaches we will send you a draft of your tenancy agreement, giving you ample opportunity to read before signing. If there is anything you do not understand, do not hesitate to contact us for an explanation as you are entering into a legally binding agreement which is for a fixed term of 6 or 12 months. An Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the most commonly used agreement in the renting of residential properties, and as such will provide you with security of tenure for the agreed term.	On the day you move in, you will be given a fully prepared Inventory of the furniture and fittings, contents and decoration as well as the property condition. We will ask that you check this thoroughly and make sure any check in comments are recorded, as this could assist you to avoid any disputes occurring when it comes to checking out. This is one of the most important documents in the renting of your home and can often be key in deciding how much of deposit you get back at the end of your tenancy agreement.

Payments	Utilities
Prior to moving in, you will need to pay your first month rent in advance and a deposit which is held in trust on your behalf in a government backed scheme. You will be given full details of where to pay your monthly rent on a set date during your agreement. Rent is paid by standing order to ensure you never fall behind in your rental payments. Make sure to tell us if your circumstances change for any reason, as we can help you by discussing with your landlord a possible solution to protect your tenancy.	We ensure that you will have connections to all utilities before you move in, we also provide you with all of the current utility meter readings and suppliers contact details. You are responsible for payment of all utility bills and Council Tax except where agreed otherwise in your agreement. You must register with the relevant suppliers upon moving in. You need to notify the utility companies and local authority of your moving out date at the end of your tenancy. Your deposit will not be refunded until all utilities have been settled by you.

Repairs & Maintenance	Emergency Services
If you are in one of our managed properties, then we will be your first point of contact for all repair and maintenance issues during your tenancy. Where we are not responsible for the management, you will be given your landlord’s contact details at the start of your tenancy in case you need to report any maintenance problems. All of our managed properties comply with the current safety regulations. We will provide you with a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate and Energy Performance Certificate.	We operate a 24/7 emergency service and aim to deal with any urgent matters that you might have promptly and efficiently during out of office hours. We have access to a host of experienced tradesmen, who would attend your property at the earliest convenience to all parties and be ready to put right whatever the problem in quick time. We ask all tenants to only use this service when there is a real emergency, not for problems that could easily wait until the next working day which we will respond to them in a timely manner.

Contents Insurance	Inspections
Your landlord generally takes out building insurance to cover the property that you rented, but is not responsible for insuring any of your personal possessions. We therefore strongly recommend that you obtain suitable contents insurance to protect your belongings against theft, damage, or fire, in order to provide you with peace of mind. As a tenant, you will be liable for any breakages, so you need to consider protecting your deposit from deductions for any accidental damage to your landlord's property and the contents.	If we manage your rented property, we will carry out regular inspections to check the current condition of the property and that everything is being kept in good order. We will arrange these visits at a mutually convenient time with you in advance, usually 2 or 3 times a year. If tenancy has not been conducted in the right manner, visits will be more often. It will also give you an opportunity to raise any issues you wish to bring to our attention. If you need to notify us about repairs we would again recommend you keep a record of this.

Renewals	Moving Out
We will write to you approximately two months prior to the end of your tenancy to see whether you wish to continue with the tenancy for a further period. If you decide to extend your stay at the property, we will liaise with your landlord to discuss the terms of the renewal, and the new agreement will be sent to you for signature and return. If you are not sure what your plans are, a periodic tenancy which rolls over until either you or your landlord give the required notice to vacate the property will be the best option for you.	To terminate your tenancy, you will normally be required to give at least one month notice in writing of your intention to leave, unless otherwise specified in your agreement. It is worth putting in a bit of work, to get the property up to scratch to ensure a full deposit refund. If applicable refer to your copy of the inventory as a point of reference. We will contact you to arrange showing the property to any potential tenants as stated in the terms of your agreement, however you will be given reasonable notice of all viewings.

Check Out	Deposit Refunds
At end of your tenancy, either we or your landlord will carry out an inspection to go through the move in inventory, in order to check the condition of the property. The property should be left the same as when you moved in except for normal wear and tear. If anything is damaged, you should agree the cost of repairing or replacing such items. If an agreement cannot be reached as to the damage items or repair costs, you can get your own estimates and then we will discuss the matter try to reach a mutually agreeable solution.	You should make sure that there are no rent arrears, and have paid your final rental payment, and all utility bills are paid up to date to enable a quick deposit return. Once we have checked you out, you have returned all keys and if there are no disputes, then you can expect to receive your deposit in full within 10 working days If a dispute arises, you will have the right to go to alternative dispute resolution, but this may cause delay in receiving your deposit. Please read our Deposit Guide for more information.