Tenants guide

Renting: here’s how it all works

Once you have found a property that you like, contact us as soon as you can as properties are often in high demand. Here’s what happens once you’ve found a property you like:

APPLYING FOR A TENANCY

For your application we will generally ask you for: 

• employer’s (or accountant’s details if you’re self-employed)
• current landlord/agents’ details
• salary details
• national insurance number
• previous addresses
• passport.

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Lisa Sharpe MNAEA MARLA, Executive Branch Manager

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 Please see terms and conditions here.

THE INVENTORY

You will be given an extensive inventory complete with detailed photos which acts as a mutually agreed ‘snapshot’ of the property’s condition at the time of move-in, so that any dilapidations or damages at the end of the tenancy can be assessed.

You’ll be asked to read and sign the inventory to show agreement with its findings. 

LANDLORD’S & TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Which party is responsible for what varies slightly depending on the property, but generally speaking…

The landlord is usually responsible for:

• insuring the property against fire, flood and the like
• repair and maintenance of the hot water and heating systems, the pipes and the electricity system
• repair of the appliances included with the property
• if the property is a flat, the service charges (for maintenance to the structure of the building, cleaning and electricity in the communal areas). 

The tenant is usually responsible for:

• all utility bills (electricity, gas and water) and council tax
• bills for telephone, broadband or cable TV if you want these (you’ll need the landlord’s permission to install these if not already installed)
• insuring your possessions in the property
• repair of any appliances you have provided
• keeping the property clean and in good condition
• telling the landlord or us about any defects.

Your tenancy agreement will detail exactly what you’re responsible for.

THE DEPOSIT

By law your deposit must be registered with a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This

• provides an independent resolution if any dispute arises between tenant and landlord
• means that landlords cannot unfairly hold on to tenants’ deposits
• gives all parties confidence that deposits are protected by a licensed organisation, which safeguards tenancy deposits against rogue landlords, tenants, and agents.

At the start of the tenancy, we will tell you with which Tenancy Deposit Scheme your deposit has been lodged. This can be done by either the landlord or us. If it is us, your deposit will be with a company called TDS.

At the end of the tenancy

When you leave the property, an inventory clerk will come to do the ‘check out’, comparing the condition of the property and any contents to the inventory made at the start of the tenancy.

If there are no dilapidations, your deposit will be returned within 10 days of the tenancy expiring.

If the inventory identifies any dilapidations to the property or any fixtures/fittings, your landlord may choose to withhold some of your deposit to cover the costs. In most cases, the amount to be withheld will be agreed between the tenant and the landlord, assisted by Woods when necessary, and the balance of your deposit will be returned to you. If agreement isn’t reached, the MyDeposits will act as an independent arbiter, and you’ll receive details of how to go about this, if and when that point occurs.

If you have any questions about the lettings process, please don't hesitate to contact us.