Tenant Guide and Fees

Holding Deposit

In order for the property to be reserved, we will require a Holding Deposit of 1 weeks rent. (rent x 12 / 52 = 1 weeks rent)

This deposit is non-refundable until such time as your references are successful and you have completed the Right to Rent check and signed the Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. There is a deadline For Agreement of 15 calendar days from the date the monies are received to complete the required checks and documentation.

The Letting Agent or Landlord who received the Holding Deposit can keep it if the Tenant:

• Provides false or misleading information 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.
• Fails the Right To Rent check, regardless of when the deposit was accepted.
• Doesn't enter the agreement by the deadline.
• Is dragging their feet and not responding to emails, not giving the referencing agency what they need for longer than 15 days.
• Withdraws from a property (unless the Landlord or Agent impose a requirement that breached the Tenant Fee Bill or acted in such way to the Tenant that it would be unreasonable to expect a Tenant to enter into a Tenancy Agreement with them).
• Fails to take all reasonable steps to enter into a Tenancy Agreement and the Landlord or Agent takes all reasonable steps to do so (unless a Landlord or Agent imposes a requirement that breaches the Tenant Fee Bill or acts in such a way to the Tenant or relevant person that it would be unreasonable to expect a Tenant to enter into a Tenancy Agreement with them).

If the landlord’s situation changes and subsequently the application is terminated then the Holding Deposit will be returned.

Referencing Process

Once we have received the Holding Deposit we will submit the reference applications, which will come from Vouch. Once received please complete and submit as soon as possible. Please attach all the relevant documents required such as:

• Passport
• Visa Documents (if required)
• Proof of home address
• Three months payslips
• Three bank statements

Part of our reference criteria is the combined earnings of the tenant/s must equal or be greater than 2.5 x the monthly rent level. For example – rent is £1,000pcm so salaries (before tax) must be a minimum £2,500 per month. (Please note you are not permitted to register a business at the property).

If self-employed we require tax returns for the last tax year or an accountants reference showing income after expenses to be 30 x the rent level.

County Court Judgement/s: Having a County Court Judgement of any amount, settled or unsettled within the last 6 years will result in a failed reference. Unfortunately the tenancy will not proceed. Please inform us if you have a CCJ before paying the Holding Deposit.

It may be agreed by the Landlord for the Tenant to provide a guarantor. If this is the case the guarantor will be obligated to provide successful references with an income of 36 x the monthly rent, provide photo identification and proof of address.

Should the reference checks or return of papers delay the start date then you hereby agree that the tenancy shall still commence at the date agreed on these terms but you are not permitted to occupy the property until the satisfactory paperwork is completed.

Deposits and Rent

Given satisfactory references you will be offered the tenancy of the property subject only to the terms of the Tenancy Agreement.

• We only accept rent and deposits by bank transfers to our client account. Payments need to be cleared before keys can be released.
• Rent is always paid calendar monthly in advance, the first payment being made by Bank Transfer. Subsequent payments are by Standing Order. If the payment of rent is late for any reason, interest may be payable.
• The deposit required acts as security for the performance of your obligations as a tenant under the tenancy agreement. This deposit will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy terms without interest, and subject to dilapidations or any deductions that may be necessary to compensate the landlord for any breach of the tenancy agreement. Please see our Tenancy Agreement for complete details of how the Tenancy Deposit will be dealt with at the end of the Term. Simple Estate Agents is a member of the My Deposit Scheme. Please see our Tenancy Agreement for details.

Tenants Fees

Amendment to the tenancy agreement £50 (inclusive of VAT)

If another name is to be added to the tenancy agreement then this needs to be agreed by the landlord. The cost for this agreed variation will be £50 (inclusive of VAT)

Unpaid rent / returned payments

Interest at 3% above the bank of England base rate from date due

Leaving the property early

If you decide to leave the property earlier then the end of the tenancy agreement then you will be liable to pay on pro rata basis any fees paid from the landlord to Simple Estate Agents in advance.

Independent Redress:

The Property Ombudsman

Client Money Protection:

Simple Estate Agents has no client money protection but do have a separate client account for clients monies.

Simple Estate Agents is a trading name of Simple Residential Ltd (6339918), registered address 56 Coldharbour Lane Hayes Middlesex UB3 3ES, VAT number 927970384