Renting a Property

There's always a demand for rental properties and many of our properties are let quickly! To ensure you don't miss out, register with us either by email or by telephone to make sure you're informed as soon as new properties come to the market.

It may help to speed up the process if you have the following ready:

Reservation fee
Copies of employer references and previous landlords (if applicable)
Bank Account details
Documents providing your I.D. and full address with postcode for the last 3 years (these will be required for reference checks)

Finding a Property

Jan Forster Lettings will take up references on you before proceeding with the tenancy, which may include a bank reference, employer's reference, suitable character reference and previous Landlord's reference if applicable. It may be necessary for you to have to supply a Guarantor (who may also need to be referenced) if any of your reference replies are not satisfactory as security.

Subject to all references being accepted as satisfactory, occupation of the property can start to take place subject to the signing of the tenancy agreement and inventory. Should you decide not to proceed with the tenancy, i.e. you have a change of mind or your references prove to be unsatisfactory for whatever reason you may have to forfeit all or part of the administration fee you paid, depending on the terms and conditions of your payment.

Prior to your Occupation of the Property

Gas, electricity, water, telephone and the Local Council tax department must all be informed (if applicable) of your intended move, as in most cases these bills will be the responsibility of the tenant to pay. Arrangements to take over these services should be made at least ONE / TWO WEEKS before your occupation, so that everything is in order and ready for when you move in.

In some circumstances, certain utility companies may require a deposit from you if you are a new customer applying for the supply of service for the first time. Also, you need to remember to advise the Royal Mail to redirect your mail to your new address as well as your bank and employers.

Signing the Tenancy Agreement, the Inventory and Rental Payments

You should be given the opportunity to read and understand the tenancy agreement before signing it. This will take place on or before the commencement date of the tenancy at a pre-arranged time. On signing the tenancy agreement, the Landlord or Agent will normally collect from you the first month's rental in advance plus a damage deposit.

This initial payment MUST be paid in CLEARED FUNDS and can be made either by BANKERS DRAFT, CASH, and DEBIT or CREDIT CARD. Personal cheques are NOT accepted, as they are not considered as cleared funds.

The deposit will be held against possible breakages or damage caused by you during the tenancy and for any other breaches of your tenancy terms and condition, such as unpaid rent. The deposit will only be returned to you, subject to everything being left in a satisfactory condition at the property at the end of the tenancy.

The Landlord or Agent will set up with you how to pay your future rent. The rent due date will be the same date as the tenancy commencement date for each month and is payable in advance, usually by standing order.

Whatever type of accommodation you are moving into, it is important that you see the inventory for the property by the day of occupation. It will become your responsibility to make sure it is accurate before signing and to note any alterations regarding discrepancies and omissions from it.

The inventory is a legal document and puts the responsibility on to you as the tenant to look after the items listed on it. It should list all the items of the property left by the Landlord for your use during the tenancy, such as furniture, furnishings and overall cleanliness and condition of the property when you moved in.

A copy of the inventory should be provided for you to keep in a safe place. Should you damage, break or not clean the property when you move out at the end of your tenancy, the Landlord can charge you from your deposit to have it put right. (Reasonable fair wear and tear can be taken into consideration).

Please note that Jan Forster Lettings only provide inventories on Fully Managed and Management Plus Lets, for clarification of which service level your Landlord has opted for please speak to one of our friendly lettings advisors.

To find out more about renting a property visit the DirectGov website.