Tenant Information

If you are thinking of renting a property, the following are questions, which you may wish to ask, and the answers you should receive. You will also find below the required tenant application form which will need to be completed, once you have spoken to a member of staff to confirm you interest and received confirmation of costs involved.

If you have any further questions after reading this page please contact us.

Please download and print both the Information for Tenants document and the Tenant Application Form.

Download Information for Tenants

Download Tenant Application Form

If you wish to rent one of our properties you will need to complete and return to us this form for everyone over 18 years old.

Please Note:
Under the terms and condition of a tenancy through us, you will be required to have cover to protect the Landlord’s possessions against Accidental Damage. As a guide current premiums start at around £50, depending on individual level of cover required.

How do I find or view properties

Register your requirements with us on line, telephone or visit our offices so that we can consider your needs and keep you informed of any properties as soon as they come onto the market.

Once you have been sent or told about a suitable property one of our members of staff will be able to organise a viewing on the property for you and answer any questions you may have before and after viewings.

Why should I Use The Services Of An ARLA Agent?

You will need their experience, professionalism and compliance with ARLA’s bye-laws, regulations, accounting procedures and Professional Indemnity insurances, (which complies with the requirements of the Association’s FIDELITY BOND. This protects your rent and deposit. Drewery are members of a Tenancy Deposit scheme. This is an adjudication service which is of considerable benefit to both tenants and landlords in the unfortunate event there is a dispute about the deposit at the end of the tenancy. The cost of this service is borne by Drewery and there is no additional cost to the tenant.

What Will The Agent Charge Me?

You should not pay any introductory fees, but there will probably be some administrative charges, such as taking up references and the preparation of the Tenancy Agreement, and the check out at the end of the tenancy, or Tenants contents insurance, (which also covers accidental damage to the Landlord's property). The Agent should explain these to you at the time you register for property.

What Monies Will I Need To Find At The Start Of The Tenancy?

Normally at least a month's rent in advance, plus the deposit (usually one month's rent plus £200 - except in the case of 3 or more sharers or authorised pets) plus any administration or Agreement preparation charges mentioned above.

What Is A Tenancy Agreement?

It is a legally binding document between you and the landlord, applicable only to you and the property you are renting. It should state the amount of rent, the length of the fixed term of the tenancy and your rights and responsibilities. Your Agreement will probably be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy under the Housing Act as amended in 1996. For bona fide companies and/or rental values over £25,000 per annum, the agreement will be drawn up under contract law.

How Long Does It Take For A Tenancy To Commence?

This will be dependent upon the availability of the property and how long it takes to take up references or credit searches. You should ask the Agent when the property is to become available.

What are my responsibilities as Tenant

The responsibilities of a tenant will be clearly listed in the tenancy agreement, (this company uses an ARLA approved agreement), and should be carefully read before signing. If there are any items in the tenancy agreement that you do not understand, a member of staff will be happy to explain.

How Long Can I Rent The Property?

This will depend on the circumstances of the Landlord and the Tenant. Most Landlords prefer a 6 or 12 months initial fixed term, to be reviewed at the end of the term.

What Happens At The End Of The Term, Or If I Need To Leave Early?

Your Agent should contact you well in advance of the end of the fixed term to ascertain your future requirements (as well as those of the Landlord) and will negotiate any extensions or renewals of the tenancy. You are liable for payment of rent throughout the fixed term, unless (with the landlord's agreement), a new and satisfactory tenant can be found (- usually at your expense).

What Else Do I Pay For?

Utility bills, such as gas, electricity water and telephone, TV licence etc, Council Tax and contents insurance

What Happens At The End Of The Tenancy?

You must leave the property in the condition it was at the start of the tenancy (subject of course to 'fair wear and tear') otherwise your deposit may be subject to deductions to cover the cost of any cleaning, gardening, damages or missing items.

When Will I Get My Deposit Back?

Usually, a Check Out is undertaken and provided there are no missing items or damage, you deposit will be able to be returned to you shortly after you leave the property.

Deposits can either be held by our company or the Landlord depending on the letting service required by the Landlord. If the deposit is to be held by our company it will be held under the TDSRA scheme.

The TDSRA is a scheme set up by ARLA (Association of Residential Lettings Agents) to resolve deadlocked tenancy disputes over the apportionment and settlement of deposits following the end of a tenancy. When the letting agent is holding the deposit but cannot negotiate a settlement between landlord and tenant, all details of the dispute, along with the deposit money that cannot be settled, will be sent to the Independent Case Examiner for the Scheme. This will then be subject to expert third party adjudication and the apportioning of deposit money.

More information is available from the TDSRA web site.

Using an ARLA member also provides the added security that your Deposit is safeguarded by their Fidelity Bonding Scheme.

Who Holds The Deposit?

Normally it is held by the Agent, in a designated Clients Account. That is why it is important to use an agent who complies with the requirements of the ARLA fidelity bond, so that you know it is safe and the correct amount will be returned to you. All deposits which are held by our company are now held under the TDSRA scheme.