PROCESSING FEE: There is a charge of £60 including VAT per person for processing the tenancy check but we make no other charge to the prospective tenant excepting deposit etc.

TENANT CHECKING PROCEEDURE: If you are interested in renting a property through Abbey Rentals you will be asked to complete a tenant reference form which is forwarded to a referencing company to carry out the normal check on employment, credit check and previous renting reference. These normally take about 48 hours to return.

DEPOSIT: Abbey Rentals will take a deposit equivalent to 1½ months rent which will either be held in a special building society deposit account, or sent on to the landlord to be held for the duration of the tenancy. We do not accept any Council deposit guarantee schemes.

AGREEMENTS: In most instances a tenancy will be agreed for a minimum of 6 months up to a maximum of 12 months, although in many cases these may be extended for a further period by issue of a new agreement. It should be noted that a tenant is contracting to rent a property for a fixed period of time and unless the landlord is prepared to agree to terminate the agreement earlier, rent must be paid up to the end of the term. In the event of the agreement terminating earlier than the full term, a charge for finding a new tenant may be deducted from the deposit by Abbey Rentals.

SERVICES & COUNCIL TAX: The tenant will in almost all cases be responsible for taking over the gas, electric, water, telephone (where appropriate) & council tax liabilities in their name and to pay these for the duration of the tenancy. Abbey Rentals will take meter readings at the outset and end of the tenancy and pass on these readings to the service providers, including notifying the local authority. Tenants must notify telephone providers themselves as this cannot be carried out by a third party.

INSPECTION/WORK: From time to time we may wish to look round the property or to arrange to carry out work. We will always try to give at least overnight notice that we intend to do this, unless there is an emergency and we have to gain immediate access.

DECORATION/IMPOVEMENTS: It is normally the landlord’s responsibility to keep the property in reasonable decorative repair but sometimes a tenant may wish to do redecorate a room themselves. No redecoration or alterations must be carried out without the landlord’s consent even if these are considered improvements by the tenant, and any colour change must be agreed in advance.

PETS: The consent of the landlord must be obtained if a tenant wishes to keep a pet at the property. If this is granted, in the case of animals which may attract animal pests, it is a requirement that the property be fumigated by the local authority or other professional company at the end of the tenancy and a receipt produced as proof If this is not done, the cost of carrying out this fumigation will be deducted from the deposit prior to its return.

SUBLETTING: It is not permitted to sublet any part of the property during the period of the tenancy, for example, let out a spare room. The letting is to the person(s) named in the agreement, and their children.

DAMAGE: It is expected that fair wear and tear will take place, but any actual damage by accident or otherwise must be rectified prior to the end of the tenancy. If this is not carried out, a deduction will be made from the deposit to cover the cost of repair/replacement.

GARDENING: It is the tenants’ responsibility to look after the main areas of the garden, including lawn mowing, flower beds etc, but tree pruning, and other more difficult work would not normally be expected of the tenants. It is important for the tenant not to neglect this work and if remedial gardening is required at the end of the tenancy, this will be deducted from the deposit.

CLEANING AT TENANCY END: The tenant should give up the property in a clean and tidy condition, and this includes the cleaning of the cooker, fridge etc and the cleaning of staining to any carpets. Any damage to decoration by removals, pictures and posters must be made good to a reasonable standard so that the property is left in good condition, fair wear & tear excepted, ready for a new tenant to take up occupation.

VIEWINGS AT TENANCY END: During the last two months of the tenancy we may need to show round either potential new tenants or potential buyers. We will contact you first to give reasonable notice that we wish to do so and agree a mutually acceptable time which should not be unreasonably refused.

RETURN OF DEPOSIT: Once the tenancy has ended and as soon as possible thereafter, the inventory will be checked and the deposit monies returned by cheque, less any deduction, if appropriate.