Looking to rent a property?

Linda Saunders Lettings is dedicated to helping you find your ideal rental property. We believe that renting a property is no reason to accept anything less than the perfect home and it is no surprise that the majority of our tenants renew their lease.

With a wealth of experience in the property market, we'll ensure that we find the right home for you, whatever your property requirements. Linda Saunders aim to make renting a property a smooth and easy process to avoid stresses that are generally involved in moving home.

It is wise to start looking about two months before you wish to move, as the most desired locations are viewed and reserved quickly. Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 6 months on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

Register with us!

The first step is to contact us to provide brief details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. We then search our database for suitable properties for you to view. If not urgent, we will register your details so that we can contact you as suitable properties become available. As part of our managed service we inform the gas, electric, water and council tax on your behalf to make that move a little easier.

Found the right place, what’s next?

Prospective Tenant

Once you have decided on a property, you will need to complete your details in a prospective applicant form and you will need to pay a holding deposit equal to one weeks’ rent. We will then withdraw the property from the market. Under certain circumstances the holding deposit may not be refundable. Further information will be provided when the holding deposit is taken. Once you have completed this form, we will process your application by using a Credit Referencing Company. 

If you are accepted as a tenant we will notify you by email or post. We will also provide to you a draft copy of the tenancy agreement and balance due to be paid. If you are happy to proceed with letting the property under the terms of the tenancy agreement Linda Saunders will require you to pay the deposit within two days of receiving the draft copy of the tenancy agreement and balance. If you do not meet the minimum requirements as a tenant and require a Guarantor, Linda Saunders  will charge each Guarantor to process their Guarantor application.

Tenancy Deposit

A security deposit of a minimum of one month’s rental will normally be required. The deposit is held in a registered government deposit scheme to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement.

Ease the pressure of moving home with our Deposit Replacement Scheme (DRS)

Linda Saunders Lettings understand that the cost of moving is high enough without having to find the extra money for a security deposit which will be tied up for as long as you live in the property and could be used in much more productive ways.
With this in mind you can now take out a DRS (Deposit Replacement Scheme) which will allow you to offset any possible dilapidation costs until the end of the tenancy, leaving you free to put the money that would have been tied up in a traditional deposit to better use. Maybe a new sofa or even a holiday! Look out for the DRS logo on qualifying properties!
 

What you need to know...

• The cost of the DRS is the equivalent of 1 weeks rent on your new rental property
• This will cover a maximum of 8 weeks rent for any breach of the tenancy agreement agreed by you or determined by an independent adjudicator
• You will reimburse our DRS provider for the sum agreed, or the sum determined by an independent adjudicator in the case of a dispute, within 7 days
• Increased 12 week option available
• An annual administration fee of £30.00 is payable to our DRS provider

Rent Payable

Rent is payable per calendar month, and payable monthly on or before the 1st of every month. The tenant is also responsible for Council Tax, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable either by cash only or by bank standing order to the Linda Saunders bank account.

Tenants Criteria

• We will happily accept most tenants but due to various factors, including insurance, we do ask that any person who wishes to rent with us meets certain criteria.
• Retired (Proof of assets, pension, savings etc..) 
• Must be in employment for at least one full year
• Must have been resident in the UK for at least one year
• Must be over the age of 18
• Must not have any CCJ’s or bad debt

Income

A tenant must meet the income requirement : Minimum annual income must be 30 x the monthly rent / share.

Proof of income must be provided – current P60, employment contract or wage slips ( last three months ).

The Guarantor Option

If you don’t meet some of the requirements then all is not lost. We have another option available to you. A Guarantor, a fee will be applied to the guarantor for the application of this service.

If you find that you need a Guarantor, no matter what the circumstances, they must be a U.K home owner and must be earning or receiving in pensions (or a combination) 36 x the monthly rent.

Guarantors must be aware that they will be required to sign a legal deed; this deed agrees that they are responsible for the tenancy in the same way as the tenant; the rent, any dilapidations to the property and also any legal fees that are due from the tenant but not paid. Make sure your proposed guarantor understands this at the outset.

Final Confirmation

After the initial process and all relevant checks have been completed we will confirm the details with the Landlord. When we are happy to proceed with the tenancy we will email you the draft lease agreement and confirmation of the balance payable on move in date.  

Move In

When all due funds are cleared, and the tenancy agreement has been checked and signed you will receive the keys to your property. A copy of the inventory check-in report and tenancy information pack will be sent to you. Should you have any comments or questions, they should be raised as soon as possible after receipt.

During your Tenancy

Linda Saunders Lettings will be your first point of contact for any issues relating to a managed property. We will do our very best to resolve any issues or concerns you may have. If you have any maintenance or other issues to report please contact us. 

Extending or Ending your Tenancy

Before the fixed part of your tenancy finishes, we will ask if you wish your tenancy to become ‘periodic’ i.e. roll over month to month at no cost or arrange a new ‘fixed term’. There is a charge if you desire a new fixed term. Our fees are listed below. However if you decide to end your tenancy and upon receipt of your notice to end, within the correct terms of the lease, we will advise you on the procedure to end the tenancy.

Fees

An application form must be completed for each applicant.

It is very important that you complete the application form accurately and honestly and disclose any adverse credit history as fees are non-refundable.

• Renewal of a ‘Fixed Period’ - £50
• Holding deposit equal to one weeks’ rent
• Default Fees - where the rent is overdue by more than 14 days we can apply a default fee of 3% above the Bank of England base rate
• Loss of keys or other security device, a reasonable charge can be applied in the event of loss of keys etc
• Contractual Damages, this is where damage has been caused by the tenant in breach of their contractual obligations defined in the tenancy agreement. The agent is entitled to recover the costs to put them back in the position they would have been had the tenant carried out all contractual obligations 

Contact us at lettings@lindasaundersestateagents.co.uk

Call us on 01278 425242