What are your admin and referencing charges?
FREE of charge.
How much does it cost to move in?
One month rent + five weeks security deposit (1 week is paid up front as a holding deposit when your offer is accepted).
Do you consider DSS?
Most of our landlords insist on applicants having ful time permanent jobs and salaries at a level to pass independent referencing, but it is on a case by case basis.
When is your office open?
Our letting agent office opening time is from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Thursday, Fridays 9-5pm. We host viewings until 7pm most evenings and during the day on weekends.
How do I arrange a viewing?
You can email us or call the office to speak to one of our estate agents or letting agents.
What kind of offer should I put forward?
Every sensible offer will be put forward to the landlords.
What happens if my offer is accepted?
At this point you need to transfer the equivalent of one week rent as a holding deposit. The property is now off the market.
Will you stop viewings at my chosen property?
Once you have paid us your deposit, and the Landlord of your chosen property has approved your application, we will cease all viewings. The choice of tenant for the property is ultimately that of the landlord.
I like the property I viewed, but I would like to have something changed, added or removed. How do I go about that?
This needs to be submitted as a condition of your offer.
Is the holding deposit refundable?
The holding deposit will be returned to you if the application for the tenancy is unsuccessful due to no fault of yours. If the applicant decides not to take the tenancy for no reason or provides false and misleading information, then the holding deposit will not be returned.
What is my security deposit for?
Your security deposit is an insurance against any damages to the landlord’s property and for any unpaid bills and rent.
How much is the security deposit?
Your security deposit is the equivalent of 5 weeks of rent.
What happens if I have an emergency outside your office opening time?
Our estate agent landline is diverted to a member of staff’s mobile phone 24/7.
How do my references get checked?
Our contractor Van Mildret will do it on our behalf. They will check employment, current landlord and credit references.
What if I am self-employed?
This is not a problem as long as you have been self employed for longer than 12 months and have a full set of accounts. Letsure will get in touch with your accountant and they need to be UK based.
What if I need a guarantor?
Tenants who do not have a full time/permanent job or do not have 12 months accounts (self employed) or do not meet the affordibility criteria, will require a guarantor. It will be down to the landlord if he is happy to accept this.
How long is the tenancy for?
The majority of our tenancies are 12 month Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
What happens if I have to move out before the contract has elapsed?
You are liable for the rent throughout the validity of the tenancy agreement. In certain circumstances, and with landlord agreement, MMP will try to re-let the property in order to reduce your liability.
Do you manage all your properties?
We fully manage a large proportion of our properties. If we don’t manage your property then you will be given the contact details of the landlord or other managing agent.
When can I have my security deposit returned?
Your security deposit will be returned to you at the end of your tenancy. MMP tries to refund deposits within 10 days after the vacating date subject to an agreement being reached between the landlord and tenant regarding any reductions.
What is the Landlord responsible for?
The landlord is responsible for:
– Repairs to structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water installations, basins, sinks, baths and sanitary installations.
– The Safety of gas and electrical appliances provided.
– The fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided by the Landlord.
– Maintaining the house in a habitable condition.
As a student do I have to pay Council Tax?
Students don’t have to pay council tax if they live in a house where ALL the residents are in full time further education, provided that all the students in the shared accommodation have supplied the council office with a copy of their tenancy agreement and student certificate.
How do I arrange Utility bills/Council Tax?
It is important to ensure that new accounts are set up in your name for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas and Electric bills. Under the terms of your tenancy agreement, you are responsible for these bills from the start of your tenancy.
What happens to the personal information I supply to you?
Any personal information you supply to us will be treated confidentially and held in compliance with the Data Protection Act. On signing the application form you authorise us and our letting agents to share this information with the landlord and any third party contractors that effect works at the property of in order that we can gain approval for the tenancy. We will never send you marketing emails.
How do I pay my rent each month?
Your rent should be paid each month by Standing Order and this is a condition of your tenancy agreement (we do not operate a direct debit system). Please allow three days for the clearing of the payment.
How is my deposit held? How will it be returned when my tenancy ends?
The Government has introduced a tenancy deposit protection scheme for all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales where a deposit is taken. From the 6th of April 2007 all deposits paid under an AST have to be protected within 30 calendar days of receipt by the landlord or agent.
Your deposit will be protected by the following scheme: The Deposit Protection Service www.depositprotection.com
MMP will instruct DPS to refund your deposit at the end of the tenancy subject to the DPS rules and guidelines and once an agreement has been reached with the landlord regarding any deductions.
Can I replace myself in the property?
In a joint tenancy, where only one tenant wants to move out of the property, then this is only possible with landlord approval. If approved, the tenant requesting to move out needs to source an agreeable replacement, who will then be put forward to the landlord for approval and referenced in the normal way. The existing and new tenant will then sign a new joint tenancy agreement under the same terms as the current one. The existing tenancy agreement remains valid, including your full obligation to pay rent, until a new agreement has been signed by the new and existing tenants.
What about insurance?
Tenants are responsible for insuring their own possessions. You should seriously consider taking out an appropriate Contents Insurance policy, which includes Third Party cover for the Landlord, to ensure that your possessions are protected from the very beginning of your Tenancy.
Who pays for Council Tax and Utilities on rental property?
It is normal for Assured Shorthold Tenancies to operate on a ‘Utilities excluded’ basis, in effect this means that you will be responsible for Council Tax and Utility bills during the period of your tenancy. There are exceptions to this and occasionally tenancy agreements will be made at an inclusive rent.
