Tenants Information
We aim to manage our properties to ensure the whole lettings process is as smooth as possible for our tenants. Information on this page:
the lettings process application criteria tenant registration
and
fees and deposits
The Lettings Process.
1. Register your interest by email or telephone
2. Arrange viewing appointment
3. View property with Avon Lettings
4. Decide to rent
5. Fill in application forms with administration fee of £95 for first applicant, £45 for subsequent sharing applicants or guarantor if required
6. Referencing procedure
7. Landlord approval. Tenant accepted (subject to written contract) or declined
8. Agreements prepared for initial term of six months
9. Tenant transfers first months rent and damage deposit to Avon Lettings to clear in our account before start date
10. Tenant signs tenancy agreement at check in
11. Tenants checks and signs inventory/condition report
12. Tenant lives at property, observing agreement terms.
13. Tenant or Landlord may decide to ask for a new fixed term agreement, or continue on a month by month basis.
14. At a later date, Tenant or Landlord serves correct notice to quit
15. Tenant checks out as per agreement
16. Condition of property/inventory check against original report. Fair wear and tear allowed.
17. Damage deposit returned, less any charges agreed
Application Criterea
In order to rent a property through Avon Lettings, we require all potential tenants to meet certain application criteria. This is to assure our landlords that we are able to offer the best and most reliable tenants. Most of our landlords have smoking and pets restrictions on their properties. If you wish to apply for one of our properties, a fee will be payable by you to cover administration costs. Please check that you are likely to comply before applying for a property and are serious about your application, as we will be unable to refund your fee once we have started referencing. Here is a general guide:
Income: You need to have an income of at least 2.5 times your rent (pro rata for sharers). If you do not meet these requirements, you may need to provide a Guarantor, who must have an income of at least 3.5 times the rent. We will require sight of your last 3 months bank statements. A credit check for each tenant is standard procedure.
Employment: Ideally, you will be in full time, permanent employment. If you are self employed, or have a private income, you will need to provide accountant's references.
ID: ID and proof of residence at your current address will be required. You will be asked to provide original documents with photocopies such as passport, drivers license, utility bill less than 3 months old, and an official document bearing your national insurance number.
Good character: As part of the referencing process, we thoroughly check all the information you provide on your application form from employers and previous landlords.
Housing benefit: Some landlords will be unable to accept housing benefit tenants. For those that do accept housing benefit tenants, it is essential that tenants are in full time employment and able to satisfy our standard referencing requirements. A pre-tenancy determination may also be required for the property that you are interested in before you are accepted.
You will receive written confirmation that your application has been accepted or declined as soon as possible. NB Any offer of a tenancy by Avon Lettings or the Landlord is strictly subject to written contract.
Tenant Registration
If you are interested in a property or want to be put on our waiting list, please submit the following information by email or telephone:
name, current address, email, telephone number, mobile number, number of tenants, date required, area required, type of property required.
Use our email form here...
Fees and deposits.
The application fee covers costs of administration; £95 for the first applicant,£45 for subsequent sharing applicants or guarantor if required. Part of this fee goes towards setting up the tenancy, i.e. preparing the agreement. Apart from the initial application fee, further administration fees may become payable by the tenant during the tenancy. For example, if a tenant does not conduct their affairs in an efficient manner, a charge may be made for sending a reminder letter regarding rent arrears. If a new fixed term is required when the original tenancy term expires, an administration charge for the new agreement will be payable. Full details of fees are available separately.
Deposits:
A security deposit will be payable by the tenant. This is usually one month’s rent, but sometimes more is requested by the Landlord. The money must be cleared in our account before the tenancy commences. We then transfer this to an approved deposit protection scheme for safe keeping. Full details are provided at the start of the tenancy.
Rent Due in Advance:
At the start of your tenancy, your first months rent and deposit is payable in advance and must be in cleared funds. Rent is always paid monthly in advance and the last month's rent cannot be offset from the security deposit.