Before you begin it’s a good idea to write down your budget. What are your current expenses and what money do you have left each month to spend on rent? Keep in mind that, when you first move in, you are required to pay a deposit as well as the first month’s rent and also tenancy set up fees.

Ensure you book to view the property. Once you have decided, the letting agent will ask you to sign a Tenancy Fee Declaration form, which lists the services included and fees payable from you. The agent will then begin the referencing procedure.

The landlord needs to ensure that their tenant will not struggle paying the rent on a monthly basis and that the tenant will keep the property in good condition.

Employer and income details.your previous address, and bank account details. These will be checked to ensure that you are able to commit to monthly rental payments.

Common examples are students without a regular income, or someone leaving their family home for the first time with no renting history. Tenants can pay the rent for the full term up front, or have a guarantor.

You can request a guarantor to support you. A guarantor (usually a parent or guardian) will need to agree to have joint responsibility for the rent for the property if the tenant fails to pay. Guarantors are required to pay any rent arrears (if the tenant fails to pay) and for any damages amounting more than the deposit.

A guarantor will go through the same referencing process as a tenant. They will need to be employed, a UK resident, with ample earnings to cover the tenant’s rental commitment.

Landlords trust tenants to keep their property in a good condition. The deposit is required to ensure that any damages (Beyond fair wear and tear) can be restored at the end of the tenancy.

Landlords and letting agents are required to register your deposit with an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. FK register deposits with DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme). You will receive details of the scheme.

A Deposit Protection Scheme will protect the money you have deposited and also offer assistance if there is a deposit dispute at the end of the tenancy.

A tenancy agreement is a contract signed by both the tenant and the landlord. It clarifies and highlights all the rules and procedures to which both parties must comply.

Landlords are responsible for repairing and maintaining the property. They will take care of this directly, or the letting agent. Find out what service level your landlord has. If it is Tenant Find or Rent Collect, then you will need to speak with your landlord directly. If it is Fully Managed then the agent will help. If you damage the property you will be expected to cover the cost of repair.

Only with the permission of the landlord, we recommend you get this permission in writing.

Yes accidents may happen. Inform relevant persons for property maintenance (either the landlord or letting agent) as soon as possible. You will be responsible to cover the cost of repair. Do not ignore or hide the damage because it could get worse overtime, and it will only be deducted from your deposit at the end of the tenancy.

If a tenant feels that the landlord is not complying with the agreement for Eg, not maintaining or carrying out necessary repair work to the property. The first thing the tenant should do is inform their letting agent.

The landlord will need to give the tenant notice before entering the property, unless it is an emergency.

The landlord will need to give the tenant notice before entering the property, unless it is an emergency.