Renting

Tenants Guide to Renting

At Harmens we make renting a straightforward process and help tenants navigate the steps involved in finding and renting a property.

Our Tenants Guide will help you get started:

Step 1. Set your budget and goals

Before starting your search, consider your budget, property location, local amenities, whether you want furnished or unfurnished, and whether you need a pet-friendly property.

Step 2. Register with us

We'll help you narrow down your options to find the best properties for your needs. Pre-registering will speed up the procedure and boost your chances of getting accepted as a renter by the landlord.

Step 3. Securing you new home

When you have found your ideal property, you will want to secure it as soon as possible by paying a holding deposit. This will be the equivalent to 1 week's rent,

After referencing, this will be added to your overall security deposit.

Before taking your deposit, we will contact the landlord for permission to go ahead with referencing and request permission for pets if required. We'll inform you of the landlord's decision before requesting a holding deposit.

If you or any linked tenant misrepresent themselves, fail to disclose critical facts, or provide false information that causes the reference process to fail, your holding deposit may be forfeited.

Step 4. Referencing

Before taking up your tenancy, we will need to carry out several checks and requests certain documents.

This will include:

• Referencing Credit Check
• Proof of Income
• Bank Statements
• Employer References
• Proof of Address
• Proof of Identity
• Employer References
• Previous Landlord References
• Right-to-Rent Check (legally required)

If your rent is over £8,500 per month, we will also need to carry out anti-money laundering checks.

Referencing may be carried out by an independent tenant referencing company

Step 5. Tenancy Agreement

Most tenancies are Assured Shorthold Tenancies. We will prepare your AST while referencing is being carried out.

Please review it before signing and let us know if any small modifications need to be discussed with the landlord.

Step 6. Deposits

A security deposit of 5 weeks' rent (or 6 weeks' rent if annual rent is over £50,000) is required before your tenancy begins. You only need to pay the additional amount since your holding deposit applies.

Your deposit will be registered the My Deposits scheme within 30 days and provide you with its reference number.

After the tenancy, this deposit is returned, less any agreed-upon damage deductions. The My Deposits scheme can also resolve deduction disputes.

https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/

Step 7. Rent

Before moving in, you must pay one month's rent and your security deposit. 

You may also need to pay an additional rent for any agreed pets.

Congratulations! You can now collect your keys.

Step 8. Check in

Either ourselves or the landlord will check you into your new home and will go through an inventory with you. It is important to note any discrepancies as failure to do so could affect your deposit.

We will also collect meter readings and transfer utilities if we manage your property.

During check in, it is advisable to note where the fuse box, stop cock and boiler manuals are and ask to see the gas and electric safety certificates are all in order.

We will also test both fire and CO2 alarms during check in, and during quarterly inspections. You must check and change batteries during your tenancy should it become necessary.

Step 9. Your tenancy

During your tenancy, it is your responsibility to pay your rent on time, take good care of your property, report any repair and maintenance issues promptly and adhere to your tenancy agreement.

Unless otherwise noted, tenants pay utilities, telephone and braodband, TV licence, and council tax.

Tenant Fees

Fees applying to all new tenancies may include some or all of the following:

• The rent
• A refundable tenancy deposit with a maximum of five weeks rent where the annual rent is less that £50000 or six weeks if above.
• A refundable holding deposit which is a maximum of one weeks rent
• Payments to change the tenancy or amendments or change of occupants - £50
• Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy when requested by the tenant to not exceed any potential loss by the landlord
• Utility bills & council tax to be paid by the tenants to the service provider
• Late payment of rent over 14 days will incur  3% above the Bank of England's base rate
• Replacement of lost keys or security devices will be charged at the actual cost of replacement

Client Money Protection

Your rental payments are protected by our Client Money Protection Scheme (CMP).

Redress Scheme

In the unlikely event you are not satisfied with our services and we have failed to resolve them to your satisfaction, we are members of The Property Ombudsman redress scheme. You can find out more information on their services at www.tpos.co.uk

Complaints Procedure