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TENANTS
CENTRE
Q1 What will I
need to supply to the letting agent or landlord?
Q2 What are the
important elements to check in relation to the Lease Agreement?
Q3 Who pays for
utilities – is it included in the rent?
Q4 How will the
rent be paid?
Q5 What privacy
will I get – can the landlord or their agent come round when they
like?
Q6 If I want to
leave can I give notice at any time during the tenancy?
Q7 Can I stop
paying rent if the landlord does not carry out repairs needed?
Q8 When coming
to the end of my tenancy what should I do?
Q9 When do I get
my deposit back?
Q10 Where can I
find more information in relation to renting?
Q1 What will I need to supply to the
landlord or letting agent?
You will probably be asked to
complete a tenant application form and pay a holding deposit (usually one months
rent). You will also be asked to provide two written references from various
sources such as a previous landlord or current employer. It is also common for
letting agents to ask for photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence
and they may even carry out a credit search against you.
Q2 What are the important elements to check in relation to the Lease
Agreement?
This is a very important
contractual document which binds both you and the landlord to certain
conditions. The important thing to do is make sure you read the lease and
understand it fully before you sign it. Ask the agent or landlord to explain any
details you are unsure about. Most tenancy agreements are fairly standard
however don’t be afraid to get advice from your own solicitor or the Citizen
Advice bureau before signing it.
Essential elements to check
before signing:
- The rental amount and when
and how it should be paid.
- The length of the tenancy
(what happens if you need to leave early?)
- Who pays for internal
repairs and maintenance.
- What notice period do you
need to give at the end of the tenancy.
Q3 Who pays for utilities – is it
included in the rent?
Normally the tenant takes
over all the utilities upon moving into the property unless it is a room rent or
specified otherwise. These will include gas, electricity and telephone. It is
very important that you ask your landlord or letting agent who is responsible
for rates as there are no set guidelines in Northern Ireland and this can
usually be to the discretion of the landlord or agent.
Q4 How and when will the rent be paid?
This should be specifically
set out in your tenancy agreement but the most efficient method is by standing
order whereby the money will be paid directly from your bank account on a
monthly basis.
Q5 What privacy will I get –
can the landlord or their agent come round when they like?
No. Your privacy is
respected. When you rent a property it is not usual that either a landlord or
agent will try to gain access to the property outside pre agreed times unless in
the case of an emergency.
However you must remember
that either the landlord or agent are well entitled to inspect a property
but they should give you reasonable notice of this either by telephone or by
letter. This area is usually covered within the tenancy
agreement.
Q6 If I want to leave can I give
notice at any time during the tenancy?
No. Most lets are for a
period of 12 months however some landlords or letting agents offer shorter
periods of maybe 6 months and thereafter month to month. If
you give notice during the fixed term of your tenancy ie. the 6 or 12 months then you will become liable to pay the
rent until the end of the fixed term. Sometimes for an agreed fee you could
instruct your letting agent to put the property back on the books in the hope of
finding a replacement tenant but note that you will need to enable the agent to
be able to view at any time and always have the property in a presentable
condition for viewings to take place.
Q7 Can I stop paying the rent if the
landlord does not carry out repairs needed?
This is a dangerous tactic
because you would be in breach of the tenancy agreement and the landlord could
take you to court. However, it would be worth taking advice if an important
repair needed such as a broken shower is not dealt with. A tenant should not
stop paying the rent as it may not be due to the landlord but a delay on the
part of the contractors.
Q8 When coming to the end of my
tenancy what should I do?
As your tenancy nears its end
you should ensure that you prepare for your move or ‘check out’ well in
advance. The end of a tenancy can be problematic but a little pre planning can
save a lot of stress on the day, and ensure you receive your deposit back and in
good time.
Check what your notice period
is (usually at least a month) and check whether you have to put your notice in
writing or simply by a telephone call. If you are unsure of the procedure check
your lease or contact the landlord or letting agent. Also make sure that you
have a copy of your inventory or ask your agent for a copy.
To ensure a smooth 'check
out' go through the inventory thoroughly. Replace items/furniture etc. to the
rooms they appear on the inventory. Do the carpets need cleaning? Has the
chimney been swept? Has the cooker and fridge been cleaned out and washed down?
Have the windows been cleaned? Is there anything that needs fixing or
replacing?
CLEANING: Most
leases will require a property to be left “professionally” or “spring” cleaned
i.e. a quick run around with a vacuum cleaner and a duster probably won’t
do.
Once you have the property
ready it would be a good idea to finalise all meter readings and inform relevant
parties that you are no longer a tenant at the property. Especially important is
to organise your mail forwarding which can be arranged by contacting your local
post office.
Q9 When do I get my deposit
back?
Usually after you have
returned the keys for the property and the property has been inspected by the
landlord or his agent. If everything goes without a hitch the landlord or agent
should return your deposit within a reasonable time (7-10 days). However if any
additional works need to be done it may be delayed while quotes or works are
completed. This is why it is therefore essential to ensure that the property has
been left in the proper condition.
The majority of tenancies
especially those handled by a professional agent go without a hitch. However if
you do not agree with any decisions made by your landlord or agent then you
should put your complaints in writing to the landlord or agent stating why you
feel you have been mistreated, your justifications and your proposed solution to
the problem. It is worth remembering that professional agents and inventory
clerks deal with tenancy issues on a daily basis and it is as important to them
as it is to you that a tenancy runs smoothly and therefore they are not looking
for problems but trying to avoid them.
In most cases if you state
your case reasonably including a solution then minor problems can be easily and
amicably resolved.
Q10 Where can I find more
information in relation to renting?
The Association of
Residential Letting Agents publishes a leaflet called ‘Trouble Free Renting’.
You can download a copy at www.arla.co.uk
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