|
STANDARD TERMS AND INFORMATION FOR TENANTS
ADMINISTRATION AND REFERENCE CHARGES
(Download Terms)
An administration charge and reference charge is payable when you submit
an application to rent a property.
Our
charges are as follows:
Administration charge: £120.00 plus VAT
Reference charge per applicant: £45.00 plus VAT
Please note our
reference and administration charge for Company tenancies is £240.00 plus
VAT
If we are unable to
proceed with the Tenancy because your references are unsuitable, or if
you change your mind and decide not to rent the property the administration
and reference charge you have paid will not be refunded to you.
If by the agreed Tenancy
start date the Property is unavailable other than as a result of you failing
to enter into the Tenancy Agreement then the administration and reference
charge paid by you will be returned in full. This obligation to return
the administration and reference charge is Hallway Limited’s only
obligation in such circumstances. Hallway Limited will not be liable to
make additional payments to you by reason of the property being unavailable
for whatever reason.
REFERENCES
All prospective Tenants will be referenced by Homelet who are the referencing
agency used by Hallway Limited. Approval is required from Homelet, their
decision is final and binding.
GUARANTORS
Where a Guarantor is required the Guarantor will be referenced by Homelet
who are the referencing agency used by Hallway Limited. Approval is required
from Homelet, their decision is final and binding. The Guarantor will
be required to sign a legally binding document, which would make him/her
liable for the rent for the term of occupancy if the Tenant defaults on
his/her payments. A fee of £45.00 plus Vat
for each Tenant requiring a Guarantor will
be charged to cover processing fees in this case.
DEPOSIT
A security deposit is held by Hallway Limited. It is protected by The
Tenancy Deposit Scheme for further information please visit: www.thedisputeservice.co.uk
The security deposit
is usually equivalent to One and a Half Month's rent.
SIGNING CONTRACTS
The Tenancy Agreement must be signed by all Tenants and, until such time,
no contractual agreement, offer or obligation is deemed to exist.
MOVING IN
It is Hallway Limited’s responsibility to arrange services (normally
Gas, Electricity, Council Tax and Water). It is the Tenant’s responsibility
to contact British Telecom (or any local telecom operator if applicable)
for connection of your telephone service. Hallway Limited cannot accept
responsibility for any costs incurred with connection of supplies.
You should check carefully
the condition of the property and its contents when you move in. The property
should be in clean condition, free from dust and damage, windows clean
etc. If you find anything that is not in good order, you must tell us
when we check you in. We are unable to consider claims or requests once
you have checked in. The property is let as seen at the time of viewing;
and requests for removing furniture, providing extra furniture, appliances
or redecoration will not normally be considered after you have submitted
your application to rent the property.
Please note; only
one set of keys is normally provided.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
On or before the date of occupation you will be required to pay rent in
advance (normally one months rent) and a security deposit equal to One
and a Half Month's rent.
Your rent payment and security deposit
must be paid to Hallway Limited in cleared funds. Cleared funds are
payments made by banker’s draft or electronic bank transfer. WE WILL NOT
ACCEPT PERSONAL CHEQUES except by prior arrangement. You must allow 10
days for personal cheques to clear.
Please note; Keys
to the property will only be released to the Tenant when we have received
payment in full.
When the Landlord has instructed Hallway Limited as agent to collect the
rent each month, we will collect it on the first day of each month by
bankers standing order. If there is more than one Tenant you must appoint
a lead Tenant. A standing order facility will be set up with the lead
Tenants bank account for the total amount of rental on that property.
It is important that a fully completed and signed Standing Order Mandate
is in Hallway Limited’s possession before the occupation date.
Hallway Limited regrets
we are unable to accept personal cheques or cash in payment for rent.
Delayed rent payments cause us considerable extra administration and further
delays in our payments to the landlord. An administration fee of £25.00
plus VAT (£29.38 inclusive of VAT) will be charged when rents are
not paid on the due date.
FROST DAMAGE
Frost damage is a risk to all houses left empty during the winter period
(December to April months) due to possible pipe bursts and flooding. If
you are away from the property for any period longer than one day, then
we request that you carry out the following procedures:
- Turn off the mains water supply at the main stopcock and open loft access
hatch (if provided).
OR - Leave heating on (if necessary, turn down to a low setting)
Failure to carry out this procedure could make you liable for any damage
caused.
INSURANCE
As Tenant(s), you will be responsible for the safekeeping of the property
and its contents. You should ensure you take out adequate insurance to
cover the contents of the property and the safekeeping of your own valuables
and effects. The landlord shall not be responsible for consequential damage
(e.g. damage by ingress of water, loss of freezer contents etc.) and you
should carry appropriate insurance if you wish to be covered against these
risks.
REPAIRS
Tenants are requested to bring any disrepair, damage or defect in the
premises to the immediate attention of the agent. In the event of emergency
repairs, please call Hallway Limited on 0121 706 4466. If Hallway Limited
is not managing the property you must contact the Landlord, whose number
can be found in you Tenancy Agreement.
MAINTENANCE AND APPLIANCES
Any maintenance problems should be reported immediately to either Hallway
Limited (if we are managing the property) or the Landlord.
You may find that
smoke detectors and similar safety devices have been fitted in your property.
Where this is the case, please ensure that you check all such devices
on moving into the property and familiarise yourself with their operation
(most smoke detectors have a test button to check batteries and the unit
are operating correctly) and report any problems to Hallway Limited or
your landlord as appropriate. Thereafter, you should check the devices
at regular intervals and be responsible for replacement of any batteries
that they may require.
DAMP AND CONDENSATION
Damp can be a problem in houses where there are many occupants and the
property is not adequately ventilated. You should ensure that any extractor
fans are left connected and are properly used. It is also important to
open windows as necessary to encourage an adequate flow of fresh air through
the property after bathing or showering in order to allow damp air a chance
to escape. The hanging of washing and wet clothes will also create large
amounts of damp air and again, it will be important to provide adequate
ventilation in such circumstances.
The presence of mould
or dark spots or stains (especially in bathrooms and other wet areas)
is a common sign of inadequate ventilation, and it is important to prevent
further spread at an early stage before severe and irreversible staining
takes place. Mould and similar stains should be removed by wiping the
affected areas with a fungicide or mild bleach in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions (but do test on a small area first). If the
problem persists, then you should inform Hallway Limited or your Landlord
as appropriate.
GAS APPLIANCES
Gas Safety regulations apply to both Landlords and Tenants in rented property.
In order to comply with the regulations, it is necessary:
- that brown or sooty build-up on any gas appliance, or gas escape should
be reported immediately to your letting agent AND the local Gas Board.
The emergency number for the local Gas Board is 0800 111 999
- that ventilators installed in the premises for the correct operation
of the gas appliance should not be blocked.
- that safety checks be carried out every 12 months on any gas appliance
in the property. The Tenant is required to allow entry with reasonable
notice for this purpose. A copy of the record will be made available to
Tenants.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
For safety reasons, Tenants are requested to visually inspect all electrical
appliances on a regular basis. In use, cables and flexes can become frayed
and casings broken. You should contact Hallway Limited or your Landlord
as appropriate, as soon as possible should any defect be discovered or
repairs become necessary.
Where electrical appliances
are used outdoors (e.g. electrical lawnmowers etc.) they should only be
used when connected to an RCD (Residual Current Device) protected mains
supply. RCD units are available from most hardware stores and should be
checked before use.
The Tenant is responsible
for keeping all electric lights in good working order and in particular
to replace all fuses, bulbs, or fluorescent tubes, as and when necessary.
Any replaceable or disposable filters, vacuum bags, or other consumable
items in appliances and fittings should be replaced at the end of the
tenancy.
INSPECTIONS
If Hallway Limited is managing the property, then quarterly inspections
will be carried out. You will of course be informed (normally 1 week in
advance) prior to these inspections.
TERMINATION OF YOUR TENANCY
The Tenancy agreement is a legal and binding contract for the set term
that you have previously agreed and signed for. However, if due to unforeseen
circumstances, you need to leave the property before the expiration of
the Tenancy subject to the Landlord's written agreement, Hallway Limited
would be willing under your written instructions to re-advertise the property
for re-let. There would, of course be a charge for this service, being
15% plus VAT of the rental income for the remainder of the term of your
Tenancy. Should it not be possible to re-let the property immediately,
you would be responsible for all rental, gas, water, council tax, electricity
and telephone payments until the new Tenants have taken up occupation
of the property or until the original termination date of the agreement,
whichever is sooner. If you fail to vacate the property on the date requested
or agreed, or fail to meet the obligations of the letting agreement, then
Hallway Limited reserves the right to make a charge to cover legal fees,
losses and other costs to the Landlord, Agent or other parties.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE
NOTE
Before submitting
an application, it is most important and is the tenant’s responsibility
to check for themselves, with the relevant authorities or companies, the
availability and location of public transport, local amenities, shops,
schools, cable & satellite television, telephone lines, car parking
etc. This is not the responsibility of Hallway Limited.
|
