Guidance Notes For Tenants

This Tenants Guide has been drawn up to provide information which should prevent disputes due to misunderstandings and lack of information.

1. All prospective tenants must be over 18 years of age.
2. Any prospective tenants under the age of 21 will need their parents or guardians to be guarantors.
3. A reference fee of £40.00 is payable for each tenant. Where guarantors are requested a further fee of £25.00 is payable. (Reference fee for company lets is £50.00).
4. References are checked through a professional referencing agency.
5. A fee of £100.00 is payable by the tenant. It is their share of the cost of the tenancy agreement and schedule of condition. This fee is payable once they have applied for a property from us. It is NOT refundable if they then decide not to take up the property. This along with the reference fee will secure the property for up to 30 days.
6. Rent is always payable (calendar) monthly in advance.
7. The first month's rent and deposit must be paid in cash, Bankers Draft or Building Society cheque. PERSONAL CHEQUES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
8. A deposit (equivalent to 6 weeks rent) is payable in advance and is held against possible dilapidations at termination of the tenancy. This will be lodged with The Deposit Protection Service in accordance with the new legislation as from the 6th April 2007.
9. All rents exclude the cost of gas, electricity, telephone, council tax and water/ sewerage rate, unless stated otherwise in the tenancy agreement.
10. Unless otherwise stated, all agreements are on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy usually for a 6 month period. To terminate the tenancy the Landlord must give 2 months notice in writing and the tenant 1 months notice in writing. The notice must be given on or before the day on which the rent is due.
11. In a shared tenancy, all tenants will be included on the tenancy agreement. Should any one of the tenants leave during the tenancy, those remaining will be responsible for the full rent. No part payment will be acceptable and the property may not be sub-let. If the tenants wish to introduce a new person, that person will have to produce the necessary references and a new agreement will have to be prepared. The new tenants will have to be responsible for the letting fee.
12. Tenants are responsible for insuring all the belongings that they take into the property. The owners insurance covers none of their goods. We can provide tenants with details of tenant's contents' insurance.
13. On taking a tenancy, the tenants will be supplied with an inventory and schedule of condition. This must be signed and returned to the agent within 7 days. Failure to return this document signed in the time specified will deem the Inventory Schedule of Condition to be as stated. It is essential to check this very carefully.
14. On vacating the property, no utilities should be disconnected as this will incur re-connection charges. The departing tenants should arrange for all meters to be read so as to ensure they will not be charged for the accounts of any subsequent tenants.
15. Should there be any problems with the property during the tenancy, under no circumstances should the tenant instruct a tradesman or carry out the work themselves without the authority of the landlord or the agent. The tenants can inform the agent of any problems by telephone, e-mail or in writing. Should any work be carried out under instruction of the tenants, they will be fully responsible for reinstating any works and will be responsible for any costs.
16. All rents paid more than seven days late, will automatically incur a late payment charge of £20.00 every time rents are paid late. This will also apply if a cheque has not been honoured.
17. To provide replacement photocopies of the original signed tenancy agreement & inventory, there will be a charge of £5.00 per copy.

THESE NOTES ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND DO NOT FORM PART OF ANY CONTRACT

All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT.

Aspen Property Management Ltd.
2a Victoria Terrace,
Cullompton,
Devon, EX15 1DQ

Tel: (01884) 35775 or 34612
Fax: (01884) 35775
Web: www.aspenproperty.co.uk
E-mail: enquiries@aspenproperty.co.uk
VAT Reg: 760 5904 27
Company Registration: 4878000