1: Getting started
First you need to search for the right property for you. We’d recommend browsing online at the properties we have on the market, which you can find on all major property portals: rightmove.co.uk, primelocation.co.uk, zoopla.co.uk as well as, of course, at andrewsresidential.co.uk. You may find that your ideal property isn’t on the market yet. In that case, you are most welcome to register your details with us, specify what you are looking for and we will call you once we have something that matches your criteria.
2: Arrange a viewing
Once you’ve found a property that potentially fits your bill, the next step is to arrange a viewing at a convenient time and date for you.
To arrange a viewing, please either call one of our local offices on 01895 231 311 or, better still, why not pop into either our Hillingdon or Uxbridge office to get some more details about the property before your viewing. Our friendly letting advisors will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
3: The viewing
We recommend you use the viewing to consider how that property measures up against your own previously considered wish list. Since properties tend to get snapped up by tenants quickly, we encourage noting down everything you would like to know about the property beforehand. That way, you can be ready to state an interest in taking up tenancy of the property at the viewing if it ticks all your boxes.
4: Making an offer
Before the process of setting up the tenancy can begin, you need to formally make an offer to take on the property. To do this, we require you to either call the office on 01895 231 311 or pop into one of our branches. We will ask you to provide some basic information about you and your circumstances to forward to the owner of the property. From this, there will be enough information for the property owner to find out if you match the referencing criteria for their property. We will then inform you as soon as possible of the outcome.
5: Securing the property
Once you have made an offer on the property and you have been accepted as a suitable candidate, we require you to do the following:
- Pay our fees: see our Guide to Tenant’s Fees;
- Complete and sign the referencing forms;
- Provide ID in the form of a copy of either your driving licence or passport.
6: Referencing
We require references for each applicant moving into the property (age 18 and over). We use a professional third-party referencing company to carry out the necessary checks, which include a credit check, employment reference, landlord reference and character reference.
This process normally takes 48 to 72 hours, and for us to be able to proceed with processing the tenancy, all these references must be satisfactory.
7: Tenancy agreement, rent and deposits
Once satisfactory references have been received, you will be offered the tenancy on the property. This offer will be subject to the following terms and conditions:
- A five-week deposit is paid. The deposit, which acts as security for damage and dilapidation over the course of the tenancy, will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy subject to the property being handed back in good order. Andrews Residential is a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS); please see our tenancy agreement for further details.
- The balance of one month’s rent is paid, minus the original holding deposit.
- All tenants must sign our assured shorthold tenancy agreement (normally 12 months).
8: Check-in & inventory
The next step is to move you into your new home. Depending on the service your landlord has taken out with us, an inventory will be prepared either by us or your landlord. An inventory is a document noting all the property’s fixtures, fittings, furniture items, their condition and any pre-existing damage.
This process is to ensure that when you move out of the property, you leave it in the same condition as when you moved in, and to prevent any disputes. Again, depending on the service your landlord has taken out with us, you will be met on check-in day either by a third-party check-in clerk or by one of our advisors. This will provide you an opportunity to give the property a final look over for cleanliness and condition before you finally move in. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about how things work in the property.
Now we will hand you the keys to your new home.
9: During your tenancy
The final thing to note when renting a property is whether the property is fully managed or not. You will find that some properties will be managed by us and some will be managed by the landlord personally, so be sure to ask us about this. It can be an advantage if we are managing due to our efficient response to any maintenance issues you might have.
However, if the landlord is managing your property, their contact details will be provided.
Do not be afraid to ask our lettings team should you have any questions.
We assure you of our very best attention to help you find, secure and move into your new home.