Services for tenants

We can provide help and advice on the different areas we cover and on the wide range of properties available on the market. Our expert Agents are ARLA trained and will work with you to make the process as smooth and as enjoyable as possible.

Looking for a property to rent? Find your next home today.

If you're representing a company and are looking house members of staff, we have a dedicated corporate services team ready to assist you.

By giving us answers to these simple questions, we can get your process started.

• What date do you need to move in?

• How long are you looking to rent for?

• How many bedrooms, reception rooms and bathrooms do you require?

• Who is the property for?

• Do you need a furnished or unfurnished property?

• What’s your maximum budget?

HOW TO GET STARTED: One of our negotiators will search our property database, including those listed with other agents in the area, and email you relevant property details with photos and a description. Once you have decided on the properties you would like to view, we will arrange a convenient date and time to show them to you. It is advisable to arrange viewings as soon as possible, because in this fast-moving market, properties let very quickly.

MAKING AN OFFER: When you have found a property you would like to rent we will put forward the offer to the Landlord. If you would like to make an offer via our website please click on ‘Make Offer’ on the individual property page. A member of our team will then contact you. Alternatively contact the branch and we will assist you. Please specify any requests or conditions attached to the offer you are making as these will be included in the tenancy agreement if agreed by the Landlord. Please note that pets are not automatically permitted in a property and must be agreed as part of the offer.

Please follow the link to view a copy of a Carter Jonas standard AST agreement: CJVIEW.ME/AST. In some instances a Landlord may have their own tenancy agreement and will provide a copy on request.

You may be asked to provide information which supports you to carry out a reference check such as:

• Bank statements to assess income

• A Reference from a previous landlord (where applicable)

• Proof of address history

• Details of current employer

Please be aware of the following:

The type of tenancy you have will affect the fees and charges we make as well as the deposit we can hold.

PERMITTED PAYMENTS: In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019 the following are permitted payments for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST):

• Rent

• A capped refundable Holding Deposit

• A capped Tenancy Deposit

• Payments in the event of a default

• Payment in the event of loss of keys

• Payment on a variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy

• Payment on early termination (surrender) of a tenancy

• Payment in respect of Council Tax, utilities (gas or other fuel, electricity, water or sewage, television licence and communication services)

• Green deal charge (if applicable)

RENT: Rents are advertised weekly or monthly but are usually payable monthly, quarterly, biannually or annually in advance.

HOLDING DEPOSIT: We will take a Holding Deposit of one week’s rent to reserve a property whilst reference checks and preparation for a tenancy agreement are undertaken. Please note the Holding Deposit does not fall under the deposit protection schemes of the Housing Act 2004.

For an AST tenancy, a Holding Deposit can be held for up to 15 calendar days; this is known as the Deadline for Agreement. From taking the Holding Deposit, the tenancy agreement must be entered into (signed by both parties and dated) before the Deadline of Agreement. If the start date of the tenancy is after the Deadline of Agreement we will ask you to sign a separate extension agreement to enable us to process the tenancy and show your commitment to the property.

Retaining the Holding Deposit: we can retain the holding deposit if:

• the Tenant fails the Right to Rent check regardless of when the deposit was accepted.

• the Tenant provides false or misleading information to the landlord or letting agent, which the landlord is reasonably entitled to consider in deciding whether to grant the tenancy because this materially affects their suitability to rent the property.

• the tenant notifies the landlord or letting agent before the deadline for agreement that they have decided not to enter into a tenancy agreement.

• the tenant fails to take all reasonable steps to enter into a tenancy agreement.

Repaying the Holding Deposit: we will repay the holding deposit if:

• the Landlord and Tenant enter into a tenancy agreement (we will ask for your agreement to deduct the equivalent sum from the first payment of rent).

• the Landlord decides before the deadline of agreement not to enter into a tenancy agreement.

• the landlord and tenant fail to enter into a tenancy agreement before the Deadline of Agreement.

Carter Jonas will return the money in full by cheque or bank transfer through our Accounts Department and not by the local office.

DEPOSIT: During your Tenancy a security deposit will be held by either Carter Jonas or the Landlord in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme.

The deposit is held against unpaid bills, outstanding rent or repairing damage caused during the course of the tenancy.

For ASTs if the total annual rent for the property is less than £50,000 per annum the deposit will be five weeks’ rent. If the total annual rent is above £50,000 the deposit will be six weeks’ rent.

The deposit, if held by Carter Jonas, will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) is a government backed accredited protection scheme which aims to resolve deposit disputes quickly and efficiently. A certificate of the deposit registration will be sent to you within 30 days of the deposit monies being paid or the tenancy commencing. The deposit must be paid in cleared funds prior to the commencement of the tenancy. Please note interest is not payable on the deposit monies.

For NHAs the deposit will be six weeks’ rent and does not have to be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Please note that in some instances a Landlord may require a higher deposit if you have a pet.

OFFER AGREED: Once our client has accepted your offer Carter Jonas will prepare the tenancy paperwork which includes:

REFERENCES: Carter Jonas will apply for references on behalf of the Landlord using a credit referencing agency. Typically the referencing company will require you to have an income of 2.5 or 3 times the rent. A bank reference, employment reference and/or accountant/solicitor/personal reference will generally be obtained and forwarded to the Landlord for approval. We may also ask you to provide proof of this information prior to applying for references.

IDENTIFICATION: You will be required to bring in two different forms of identification ie full valid Passport, Driving Licence, utility bill or bank statement.

RIGHT TO RENT: In accordance with the Immigration Act 2014 you will be asked to provide appropriate documents to demonstrate your Right to Rent in England.

GUARANTOR: A Landlord may request a Guarantor if he/she is not satisfied with the references supplied. The Guarantor must be UK based and somebody who will guarantee payment of the rent and any other liabilities under the Tenancy. Typically the Guarantor will need an income of at least 3 times the rent to pass. References will be taken on the Guarantor as though they were renting the property. We may ask your Guarantor to provide proof of this information prior to applying for a reference.

THIRD PARTY PAYMENT OF A DEPOSIT FOR AN AST: If a third party is paying the deposit monies on your behalf please could you advise us in writing, as in accordance with deposit protection legislation we are required to provide them with documentation in relation to the protection of the deposit.

TENANCY AGREEMENT: Carter Jonas will provide our standard tenancy agreement or our Landlords own version including any special clauses. Please note that this is a legal agreement between you and the Landlord and we would recommend that independent legal advice should be taken.

The tenancy agreement may be sent to you for digital signature. You will need to initial the bottom of every page and sign where indicated. The tenancy agreement will then be dated and exchanged on receipt of cleared funds and become legally binding. This means that you will be bound by the terms of the tenancy agreement. Until this time the terms of the tenancy agreement can be subject to change. In the event that there are any variances between the Information for Prospective Tenants document and the Tenancy Agreement, the terms of the tenancy agreement will prevail.

CHANGES TO A TENANCY AGREEMENT: Carter Jonas will charge a permitted payment of £50 including VAT for any changes to the tenancy agreement once it has become legally binding.

EARLY TERMINATION (SURRENDER) TO A TENANCY AGREEMENT: Where an early termination (surrender) to a tenancy agreement is agreed by the Landlord, Carter Jonas will provide details of the costs payable by the Tenants.

STATEMENT OF MONIES: This is an invoice detailing the initial monies due which include the first rental payment and the deposit. We are unable to release keys until all funds have cleared.

PAYMENT OF RENT: Payment can be made by the following methods and must be cleared funds prior to the start of the Tenancy;

Bacs Transfer: allow 3 days for the funds to show in our account Chaps Transfer: transfer must be made by 12 noon day prior to start date Personal Cheque: allow 7 days for the funds to show in our account Bankers Draft: equivalent to Cleared Funds Building Society Cheque: equivalent to Cleared Funds Debit Card: please note we only accept payment by debit card

LATE PAYMENT OF RENT: A default fee of 3% over the Bank of England base rate will be charged for late payment of rent where the rent has been outstanding for 14 days or more. The fee is charged from day one as per the tenancy agreement.

GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE (GSC): If applicable, in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, a Gas Safe registered engineer will check all the gas appliances, installations, flues and pipe-work and will issue a certificate. The GSC is carried out annually and a copy will be provided to you by your Landlord within 28 days of the certificate being carried out.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS (CERTIFICATES AND INSPECTIONS) (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2007: A prospective Tenant of a residential property must be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) free of charge. EPC's must be provided by accredited energy inspectors and last for 10 years.

INVENTORY MAKE AND CHECK IN: An inventory check in may be arranged where possible with an independent inventory clerk. An inventory details the contents and the condition of the property and you will receive a copy for your approval and retention. At the end of the tenancy a check out should be undertaken and any disputes about the deposit at the end of the tenancy will be resolved by reference to the inventory.

KEYS, SECURITY DEVICES OR FOBS: We will arrange a suitable time for you to either collect the keys including any security devices or fobs, or meet at the property during the inventory check in. Where possible, a minimum of two sets of door keys will be provided to you. We will ask you to sign a key receipt. If you misplace any keys, security devices or fobs during your Tenancy, please contact the landlord or Carter Jonas immediately and you will be charged for the cost of the replacement.

UTILITIES, COMMUNICATION SERVICES, TV LICENCE AND COUNCIL TAX: Once you have moved in to your chosen property you will be responsible for contacting the utility and communication service companies and arranging for all accounts to be transferred into your name. Utilities means electricity gas or other fuel, water or sewage. Where Carter Jonas are advised by the Landlord that there is a Green deal in place at the property details will be provided and a relevant clause inserted into the tenancy agreement. By law you are required to have a valid TV Licence if you use or install a television. Please look at www.tv-l.co.uk for further information.

INSURANCE: You are responsible for insuring your own personal possessions as these will not be included under your Landlord’s insurance policy.

STAMP DUTY LAND TAX: Payment of any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that might be due on a Tenancy Agreement is solely your responsibility as Tenant. This is a legal obligation and HM Revenue and Customs may impose fines or penalties for failure to comply. The current Threshold is £125,000 per year. More information and guidance can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax.

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY: We will provide you with the contact details of the person or agent who will be responsible for the management of the property during your tenancy.

REFERRALS: From time to time, we may introduce third parties offering services which may be of interest to you. These referrals may generate a commission or gift which we will accept for our benefit without reference to you, provided your interests are not adversely affected. This introduction is not an endorsement of these third parties.

DATA PROTECTION: Carter Jonas is committed to your privacy and will treat all information you provide in accordance with our Privacy Policy which can be found at www.carterjonas.co.uk/policies. This information will be provided to a reference agency to enable the referencing process to proceed; to the Landlord to approve that the Tenancy may proceed; to approved contractors, utility and media providers and facilitators and the local authority. If the applicant is unsure of this process or wishes information withheld then he or she should contact the relevant office of Carter Jonas without delay. The data will be deleted when our contractual and statutory obligations are fulfilled including the information that Carter Jonas must retain for one year after the Tenancy ends to comply with Right to Rent obligations; or those required to be retained for six years under the Limitations Act 1980.