When looking for your next home, it is worth considering some key requirements:
Once you've figured out your list of requirements browse our website to find your perfect property. You will find virtual tours available for most of our properties which allow you to easily navigate around the property, as if you were there in person.
Once you have found some properties to view, contact Comfort Lettings to arrange a viewing. This can be done on the property tabs within the website, or by contacting the office and speaking to a member of staff. Ensure you discuss your requirements with the staff member who manages the property. Our Portfolio Managers are highly trained and knowledgeable and will be able to provide further advice and information at this stage.
An Accompanied Viewer will then show you your selected properties at a time that suits you, either virtually or in person. At the viewing appointment, be sure to make notes and ask the Accompanied Viewer as many questions as you like.
Comfort Lettings Top viewing tips:
Assuming you have taken the above steps, you should be ready to secure a property when the right one comes up. The rental market moves more quickly than the sales market, so it is important that when you find the perfect house, you are able to take the steps to secure it quickly.
We recommend that you are always prepared with relevant documents, such as a form of ID, proof of your address, previous landlord references and employer references. We'll need to certify the originals to check your 'Right to Rent'. By law, we must see a copy of either your:
You will need to pay a Holding Deposit to state your intention of proceeding with a property.
In addition, you will need to complete the digital signing of our ‘Applicant Reservation Form’ which clearly sets out the Terms of your Holding Deposit and responsibilities when reserving a property.
You may also be required to make other permitted payments in relation to the tenancy. You can find the list of permitted payments here.
“Sophie, the agent with whom we have been dealing and signing with, has been quite simply outstanding from start to finish. She has been ever-reliable, informative and understanding. It has been a breath of fresh air and from what I’ve heard from others looking to sign on we have been lucky to have someone so easy to contact and assist us as Sophie has been. ”
Comfort Tenant - Charlie
A dedicated Portfolio Manager will oversee your application for a property and you will be required to provide evidence that you have rented in the past without major problems.
Referencing Criteria
Once the deposit is paid in full, the property is secured. This deposit is held to cover any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy.
If Comfort Lettings are managing your property, the deposit will likely be held in the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) or Deposit Protection Service (DPS). You will be issued with a deposit ID number and certificate of registration from the schemes which you will need to keep safe for the return process at the end of your tenancy.
A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are clear. All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document - we may sign this on the Landlord's behalf. The tenancy agreement will include responsibilities such as the value of rental payments, when payment is due, and who is responsible for repairs within the property.
The inventory is a detailed list of contents and condition of the property before you move in. It will be prepared by an independent inventory clerk. This allows the landlord and tenant an opportunity to agree the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy and diminishes the risk of any dispute when you move out. We recommend you thoroughly check the inventory before you sign it.
“Unusually good [letting] agent. Very helpful, polite and dedicated. I'd recommend them to anyone.”
Comfort Tenant - Gary W
You will be required to pay your first month’s rent and deposit in advance of moving in – details will be provided to you by your dedicated Portfolio Manager.
Future rent payments will be made monthly and taken by direct debit.
Your keys will be available to collect either at our local branch or at your check-in appointment. This will be done either by your landlord or an inventory clerk - depending on the management service level your landlord has selected. Your Portfolio Manager will confirm these details with you.
As part of our obligations to the Landlord, we will carry out routine property inspections throughout the course of the tenancy to check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year. Both you and your landlord will receive copies of the report, so that everyone is aware of the property's current condition and disputes can either be avoided or easily resolved.
Maintenance issues
Of course, if anything breaks down or requires looking at, we will arrange to visit the property to ensure everything is maintained in good condition for you.
If your property is professionally managed by us, you'll receive a call within 48 hours of reporting an issue from your designated Portfolio Manager, who will be your main point of contact during the course of your tenancy. They will advise you on any maintenance issues and if action is needed either by yourself or the landlord.
Once nearing the end of your tenancy agreement, you will need to decide whether to stay on in your property, or whether you wish to leave, remembering to provide the relevant notice in writing.
a. Staying put
If you do decide to renew your tenancy agreement we will be in touch with you regarding this and will send you a new tenancy agreement to sign. Unlike most other agents we do not charge any tenancy renewal fees. If your circumstances have changed since you first rented the property, some new checks may need to be undertaken, however you will be advised of this at the time.
b. Moving out
If we manage the property, we will arrange a check out report to be conducted on or after the last day of your tenancy to ensure that the property is left in the same condition it was given to you. At this point, you will need to ensure that the keys are returned to us. If the landlord manages the property, you will need to liaise directly with them to arrange a suitable time and date to meet there and to hand the keys back.
Deposit
After serving your notice you'll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.
Assuming normal wear-and-tear, if the property is in the same condition as when you moved in, getting your deposit back should not be a problem.
Here's what to do next:
If you need any help either before or after your tenancy call us and we'll be happy to help. Your portfolio Manager will also send you a detailed checklist to run through before the end of your tenancy.
Download this guide as a pdf.
As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following Permitted Payments.
Permitted payments
Before the tenancy starts (payable to Comfort Letting Agents LLP ‘the Agent’)
- Holding Deposit: up to 1 week’s rent
- Tenancy Deposit: Up to 5 week’s rent.
During the tenancy (payable to the Agent)
- Payment of £36 per hour for the work associated with making minor amendments to the tenancy agreement once signed.
- Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of Bank of England Base Rate plus 3% per annum.
- Payment of the cost of the replacement key plus £15 per hour for any associated time incurred for the loss of keys/security devices.
- Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy.
During the tenancy (payable to the provider)
If permitted and applicable:
Utilities: Gas, electricity, water.
Communications: telephone and broadband, installation of cable/satellite, subscription to cable/satellite supplier, television licence
Council Tax.
Other permitted payments
Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.
Tenant protection
Comfort Letting Agents LLP is a member of ARLA Propertymark Membership Number M0206320, offering client money protection (CMP) with Scheme reference: C0127805, and also a member of The Property Ombudsman redress scheme membership number: D8857.
We love to build lasting relationships
Give us a call today
47 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5AW| Company Registration No: 0C365521 | VAT No: 157879546
Copyright © Comfort Letting Agents LLP 2023 - All rights reserved
Website www.designsource.org.uk
