Looking for a new home can be a nightmare, the allure of "Luxury flat", only to arrive to find the flat should have been condemned years ago; Landlords not keeping appointments; spacious meaning bijou; hidden costs for example maintenance charges on top of an already exuberant rent!

At A J Properties we believe that every tenant has a right to a decent home and we believe that everyone has individual tastes. All our staff are qualified and specially trained to enable them to match the right person to the right property.

APPLICATION

Once you have chosen the property you would like to rent you will be required to provide the following:

• A fully completed Homelet application form – signed and dated
• Proof of ID/Residency/Signature – ie driving licence, passport, utility bill etc.
• National Insurance Number
• Administration fee £115 vat included per single application; £130 double applications; £95 each for sharing/indivudals (cheques made payable to A J Properties, this fee is non refundable).
• Guarantors are also required to provide proof of ID, residency and signature

When your application has been completed and approved we will confirm the date to begin the tenancy

note: Properties can only be held for up to 4 weeks with the Landlords approval, payment of the deposit will be required in advance.

On Move in we will require the following payment:

One calendar months rent in advance (For HB claimants a top up/contribution payment)
A deposit equal to one calendar months rent (additional £100 bond where pets permitted)

ON ENTRY

RENTAL PAYMENTS

You will be required to pay your rent by standing order monthly in advance.
If you are in receipt of HB, your top up/contribution payment should be paid by monthly standing order. The Local Authority will pay your rent direct to A J Properties.

INVENTORY

Check the Inventory with the staff member on your move in appointment. Please pay particular attention to this, as it is the greatest area of dispute between the Landlord and Tenant at the end of the tenancy. Ensure that all meter readings are agreed, signed and dated.

SERVICES

All utility services – gas, electricity, council tax, water and TV license are your responsibility, we will inform the suppliers of your occupation of the property.

INSURANCE

Insure your personal belongings and contents. The landlord is only responsible for the building and items that belong to him/her. If the property is part or fully furnished you are required to insure the landlords contents against accidental damage. You are liable for any damages - your deposit will be used to correct it and any surplus will be returned to you, but any excess will be payable by you. Copies of Homelet & Paragon Tenants Insurance leaflets are available from our office – monthly direct debit payment schemes are available.

DURING THE TENANCY

REPAIRS

You must contact the office to report any repair or maintenance required, we have a team of contractors and in many cases the landlord has service contracts to cover appliances. If you call out your own maintenance/repair contractor without prior permission from us you may be liable for payment.

INSPECTION

During the tenancy we will carry out periodic inspections of the property (quarterly). This inspection is undertaken to ensure that you as the tenant are observing the contents of your tenancy agreement. This also allows you the opportunity to discuss or bring to our notice any problems you may be experiencing with the property.

GIVING NOTICE

The initial six months of your tenancy is a tie-in period, after which the tenancy becomes periodic, you can then give one calendar months notice. Notice must be given in writing and will be taken from the day it is received in the office.
· The landlord must give two months notice.
It must be noted that the tenancy DOES NOT come to an end at the end of the term set out in the agreement, it only comes to an end after Notice has expired.

RECEIVING NOTICE

The landlord has the right to give two months notice to expire - any time after the fourth month of the tenancy agreement.

If a fixed term is not set out in the Tenancy agreement or after the term set out in it has expired your tenancy automatically becomes ‘periodic’ i.e running on a month to month basis. One months notice is still required from you, however, the landlord would still have to issue the statutory two months notice.

The notice would be issued by in writing by our company, in line with the current Housing Act.

EXPIRY OF TENANCY

Before the end of your tenancy check your inventory. Ensure that all fixtures and fittings are returned to their designated place, this will ensure that the checkout runs smoothly.

All kitchen appliances must be thoroughly cleaned and defrosted.

All keys must be returned – if not the locks will be changed, the cost of which will be deducted from your deposit.

Carpets must be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy, particularly when animals have been permitted.

Tenants are advised to use the post office service for mail re-direction. AJ Properties are not responsible for any lost or misplaced mail.

The issue of discontent between tenant and landlord is often the condition of the property. The property must be clean and tidy throughout and be suitable for further occupation.