TENANTS

We are specially trained and equipped to assist tenants find properties to rent that will meet their requirements. We have furnished/ unfurnished houses, flats and other properties to rent in all areas of Coventry.

Viewing - Viewing will be arranged at times to suit you. Including evening and weekends and you will invariably be accompanied by a member of staff; we can give advice and answer any question you may have.

Reserving the property – Once you have decided on a property, you will need to reserve it by paying a “holding deposit”. If the Landlord declines to grant the tenancy, it will be refunded. However the deposit will be forfeit if you decide not for proceed for any reason, or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application.

Application – Once you have decided on a particular property, you will be required, as with any financial commitment, to complete application forms in order that we many take up references.

Administration Fee - A fee is due to ‘On the Move’ prior to the start of the tenancy to cover the tenant's share of the Tenancy Agreement and legal notices, references and credits checks and check-in and check-out.

References - We will take references on behalf of the landlord. Normally, this will include your employer, any former landlord and a character reference. In addition a credit check will be undertaken.

Where a tenant is unable to meet the required income or credit checks, the tenant can have a Guarantor agree to underwrite any rent liabilities.

Signing the Tenancy Agreement – Before taking possession of the property, all parties on the Tenancy Agreement and any Guarantor must sign it, having their signatures witnessed. A Guarantor must sign the agreement before the tenants and not after. Depending on timescale and locality, this will either be via the post or at our offices.

Rent - Rents are normally quoted on a calendar month basis and we need two months rent in advance.

Getting the Keys - Once the Agreements are signed and initial monies paid over and cleared, keys may be collected from our office on the day the tenancy begins. We will arrange this with you.

Notifying Utilities – At the outset of your tenancy we will take meter readings and write to the appropriate utility suppliers (gas, water and electricity) and notify the council tax department with regard to the change in occupation.

Ongoing Rent - It is a condition of our tenancy agreements that rent be paid by standing order, unless an alternative arrangement has been specifically agreed. The frequency of rental properties will be determined on your agreement and is always paid in advance.

Renewals – At the appropriate point in the tenancy we will establish whether your Landlord wishes to renew the tenancy and depending on their instructions we will write to you to either serve you with the appropriate possession notice or to establish whether or not you wish to renew.

Terminating a Tenancy – In most cases you tenancy agreement will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, as established by the Housing Act 1988 and amended by the Housing Act 1996. Neither Landlord nor Tenancy may terminate this agreement before the expiry of the fixed term.

Moving Out – The keys must be returned to our Offices at the termination of your tenancy. Shortly after this we will carry out an inventory inspection. We will take meter readings and write to the appropriate utility suppliers (gas, water and electricity) and notify the council tax department with regard to the change in occupation. We will require your forwarding address

With let only instructions your keys must be returned to your Landlord, or to our office, if agreed at the termination of your tenancy. It is your Landlord’s responsibility to carry out an inventory inspection.

Tips FOR Tenants

• Always make sure you get a written receipt for your deposit.
• Make sure that you get a detailed inventory, if possible with photographs of the condition of the property (and its garden if there is one). Make sure it is dated, and that the landlord agrees it with you.
• Make sure you get sight of a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before you start the tenancy. DO NOT move in if there is not a Gas Safety Certificate. The landlord will be acting illegally, and you may die if the gas fire is defective.
• If the landlord has agreed to carry out certain repairs, make sure you list these in writing and agree completion dates for the works. Agree with the landlord that you can do the work yourself and deduct the cost from future rent if the deadlines are substantially broken.
• Make a note of the readings of gas, electric and water meters as you take the property.
• If you have pets, make sure you get written permission from the landlord. It is quite normal for the landlord to require another 2 weeks deposit from you to cover damage to the property, as well as asking you to pay for 2 lots of flea treatment. One would be when you leave, and another 3 months later to deal with any larvae that hatch later.
• Do not take on a property that appears to have damp. It may injure your health.
• Be present at the check out with the landlord. The landlord is not allowed to then 'discover' other problems after the final check out.