They will ask you if your are happy to do this as part of the application process. This means they can verify your income without needing to contact your employers by seeing your wages being paid into your account. Your information remains totally safe but the process is a lot quicker.
Right to Rent
We also have to check that you have the Right to rent a property in the UK, to do this we have to verify your ID including any Visas and immigration status. If you have a “share code” you can provide this and the ID can be checked online.
Guarantors
In some cases a Guarantor may be required. If this is the case the Guarantor will be referenced and subject to a credit search in the same way as the tenants and must be able to show sufficient income or savings to cover the rental payments should you default for whatever reason. They will remain your guarantor for as long as you stay in the property, unless you are able to be re-referenced to prove that they are no longer required.
Tenancy Agreement
When all the references have passed, and a moving date agreed a Tenancy Agreement will be drawn up ready for signing We use electronic signatures for our Tenancy Agreements so you can sign online via an encrypted email.
Important Documents
Before your tenancy commences you will be given copies of all the important documents relating to the property. These will include the following
The landlords Annual Gas Safety Certificate
The Electrical Installation and Condition Report
The Energy Performance Certificate
Details of who to contact if you have a maintenance issue
Payment of First Month’s Rent & Security Deposit
The first month’s rent, and Security Deposit will be paid online to Goodlord by bank transfer when you sign the tenancy agreement. We will provide you with bank details so that you can make the rest of your rent payments either directly to us or your landlord.
The deposit will be the equivalent of 5 weeks rent .
The Security Deposit will be held and protected by TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) .
Reposit
Some of our landlords will be happy offer you an alternative to a cash deposit. In this instance you will pay a fee equal to one week’s rent at the start of the tenancy, and an annual fee of £30.00 thereafter.
Just like with a normal deposit, you remain liable for any outstanding amounts due to the landlord at the end of your tenancy (e.g. cleaning fees, costs for repairs, outstanding rent), but with Reposit you only pay if they actually occur, rather than paying upfront.
Inventory, Utility Payments and Council Tax
Inventory
An Inventory will be prepared listing the contents and the overall condition of the property. you will be emailed a copy of the Inventory at the start of the tenancy. The inventory should be checked carefully, and adjustments made where necessary. Any amendments or additions to the inventory including supporting photos, returned to us within seven days of the commencement of the tenancy will be reviewed and taken in to account when you move out..
Utility Payments
Gas Electric, water and Council tax bills will be your responsibility in most cases. We notify the providers that you have taken over and they will contact you to set up your bills. However, it is advisable for you to also confirm this directly with the utility companies.
At the end of a tenancy the utility companies will be informed, and final readings passed to them. Again, it is advisable for you to let them know you have moved out so you can settle your final bill.
Telephone Connections
You will be responsible for setting up any accounts for internet, phone or media services, keep an eye out for special deals and offers as Goodlord can sometimes help you with this.
Pets
If you wish to have a pet, you should obtain permission before the tenancy agreement is signed, or if your tenancy is already up and running, before you move your pet into the property.
Under the Renter’s Rights Act, the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse your request for a pet, however sometimes this is not possible due to the lease for the building. There may be other practical reasons why this is not allowed. If you want to have pets, these must be disclosed and permission obtained from the landlord before the tenancy starts.
In all cases, you will have to have the carpets cleaned to a professional standard and treated against infestation when you leave. We can arrange for this to be carried out and deducted from the Security Deposit unless you have made your own arrangements. If you make your own arrangements to have the work carried out a receipt must be provided. If you wish to get an additional pet, or a replacement for a pet you have sadly lost, you must get written permission for this first.
Insurance
You are strongly advised to insure your own possessions. This is not the responsibility of the Landlord, nor will the Landlord’s insurance cover accidental damage to the property caused by you. Most Tenant insurance policies will cover you for accidental damage to the landlords’ property. You can ask us for further details.
Commencement of Tenancy
A date and time will be arranged for you to come into the office and collect the keys. All paperwork and payments must be done before the keys can be released.
Keys
If you need additional keys, you will need to inform us before having any cut. Extra keys will be recorded and required to be returned to us at the end of the tenancy, otherwise you will be in breach of your tenancy.
Rent Reviews
Your Rent will be reviewed annually and may be increased following the first anniversary of your tenancy. Your landlord will give you 2 months’ notice of any proposed rent increase and you will receive this in writing or by email. If your rent is increased, the landlord cannot increase it again for at least 12 months.
Decorating
It is important that your home feels like yours, we understand you might want to add some personal touches. You must however get permission in writing from your landlord before you make any changes to the decoration in the property. Painting or putting up wallpaper without permission is not permitted and you may be required to restore the property to its original décor when you leave.
If you hang pictures, the best option is to use removable adhesive strips to avoid damaging walls.
Your Responsibilities
We expect you to keep the property clean and in good order throughout your tenancy. Sometimes problems may occur, and it is important that if you feel something isn’t right, that you let us know as quickly as possible so we get t things sorted before they become a major issue. We want to work with you to make sure you gets maximum enjoyment from your home. However you also have a responsibility to play your part in keeping the property in good order and avoiding damage. This includes keeping garden and outside areas neat and tidy and in good seasonal order.
In some cases depending on the nature and severity of the issue, there may be a delay whilst we obtain the landlords permission to proceed, we will however deal with issue as quickly as possible and prioritise those which will have the most impact on you.
We use a number of trusted local professional contractors, so you can be reassured that any works will be completed efficiently and to a good standard. We will usually ask contractors to arrange a suitable access time directly with you, but in some instance, with your permission we will provide access with a management key if you are not able to be present.
We may ask you for feedback on any work done, or in some cases carry out a visual inspection so we can ensure we keep our levels of service as high as possible.
Being Neighbourly
Please don’t do anything that knowingly may cause a nuisance or disturbance to your neighbours including keeping noise levels to a reasonable level, especially into the evening and in the early morning. Be considerate regarding parking, and make sure any pets are kept well controlled.
