Finding a property

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 log your details so that we can contact you as suitable properties become available. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move, as the nicer properties are viewed and reserved quickly. Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 6 months. We regret that we cannot assist dss claimants.

Other Areas

If you are looking for a property to rent in another area, please go to our UK-Wide Network page.

Viewings

Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends, and you will invariably be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.

Reserving the property:

Costs / Fees: Please note: These are only relevant to persons aged 18 years or above

Application / Reservation Fee: (NO VAT Charges apply to any of the following)

Having found the property that interests you and having decided to proceed you will be required to pay an application / Reservation fee of �50 per person*

Application / Reservation Fees are non refundable

Plus an arrangement Fee: (NO VAT Charges apply to any of the following)

Arrangement Fees are charged and payable on the following scale **

�50 for a single application

�60 for a joint application

�65 for a three or four share

(For over four persons we will provide a quotation)

*Where a Guarantor is required an additional fee of £25 per Guarantor

** Arrangement Fee: If we or the Landlord decline your application the Arrangement fee in part will be refunded (less the relevant and reasonable agency costs incurred at that point) It will however not be refunded if you decide not to proceed for any reason, or if the tenancy fails to proceed due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided in the tenancy application.

First Months Rent

On completion of the agreement the first months rent will be required to be paid with cleared funds before the date of occupancy

Deposit / Bond

On completion of the agreement a deposit / bond equal to one months calendar rent will be required to be paid with cleared funds before the date of occupancy. This will be held in an appropriate scheme to comply with the Tenancy Deposit Protection Regulations and you will be informed of which protection scheme is utilised. The deposit is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by the tenant to cover rent.

Methods of Payment

Personal Cheque, Building Society Cheque, Bankers Draft, & Direct Bill Payment

Making a direct Bill Payment�

This is generally a free of charge process and payment is usually cleared within several hours. The majority of High Street Banks participate in this payment process / procedure. (Please confirm with your own Bank first)

1) At the appropriate stage Ashcourt Lettings will provide the prospective Tenant / Applicant with the relevant account details: Account number, sort code, and a reference number.

2) Prospective Tenants /Applicants can then initiate this procedure with their bank via the phone, a bank personal visit, or via the internet (Subject to Internet Banking being set up)

Please note that we are unable to accept and handle cash transactions, however if you wish to make a payment using cash, this can be done by visiting your / any other bank and paying it in to the relevant Ashcourt Lettings account (Details of which will be provided at the appropriate stage)

Future Payments

Future rent payments will only be accepted by bankers standing order

(We will provide you with an appropriate form to complete on request)

References

As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer (or college), and a previous or current landlord. We may also require a personal reference, and sometimes a guarantor. In addition a credit check will be undertaken. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references.

Rents

Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly, and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account or your landlord's bank account.

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Insurance for Tenants

As appointed agents for more than one insurance brokers we are able to offer a variety of insurance policies for both landlords and tenants, including the following -

Contents

Up to your selected sum insured for damage to your household furniture, equipment, furnishings, clothing and personal possessions whilst in your home (excludes business equipment).

Landlord's Contents

Up to �2,500 for accidental damage to your landlord's contents, fixtures & fittings for which you are responsible.

Personal Possessions

Up to your selected sum insured for loss or accidental damage to your clothing, watches, jewellery, spectacles, other valuables (excluding mobile telephones) and pedal cycles whilst away from your home anywhere in the UK or whilst temporarily elsewhere in the world. Theft from unattended vehicles must be from a locked boot.

Further details are available on request.

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