Thank you for deciding to rent a property through T G Baynes.
The renting process is explained below, but if for any reason you feel that you need something explained or have a question during the transaction then please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you are able to answer 'yes' to all the questions below you shouldn’t have a problem renting a property through T G Baynes.
- 'Is the rent affordable?' - (multiply the rental payment by 30, if the sum exceeds your annual income; a guarantor may be required)
- 'Do you have six weeks' security deposit? - (multiply the rental payment by 12; divide by 52; multiply by 6)
- 'Do you have a clean credit history?'
- 'Have you been employed for the last 6 months?'
- 'Is your employment status, 'permanent'?
If you need advice concerning any of the above questions, please contact our office.
The Lettings Procedure
Step One – Referencing
Once you have decided to rent a property via T G Baynes, we will need to see you to take some details in order that an independent referencing company can make checks on the landlord’s behalf. There is a non-refundable fee of £88.13 per person payable in respect of referencing. The referencing system is relatively simple and the applications can be made online to save time. Our chosen referencing company will check credit worthiness, the electoral roll, fraud, employment,previous landlords, linked addresses, possible aliases and any other checks deemed necessary to process your application. The information gathered will then be used to assess your suitability. Unfortunately, you will not be able to see the report or receive an explanation of the reasoning behind any decision.
In order to submit a reference application, you will need to provide the the following:
- Full name (plus any previous names if changed);
- Three years' address history;
- Current employer details, including contact name; address; telephone number; fax number; earnings details. If you have worked for your present employer for under 1 year, your previous employment details may be required.
- Full bank details, including name; address; sort code; account number and number of years with bank.
- Full name & address of your current landlord, including telephone numbers.
Once this information has been submitted, the references will be taken up immediately. We will normally receive an interim report very quickly. This will outline you 'risk score' together with an overview of your credit history.
The final report is normally sent back to us within 48 hours, but this does depend on the speed of your referees in replying to the reference requests.
Once your landlord has a copy of the references a decision will then be made as to whether the tenancy will be granted or not.
If your references are successful you can proceed to step two. If they are unsuccessful then unfortunately T G Baynes will be unable to help you any further.
Step Two – Preparing Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements
Once we have confirmation that the references are acceptable to your potential landlord, we shall prepare the tenancy agreement.
At this point, we shall ask you to confirm your ideal moving date so that we can obtain the landlord's approval and add it to the tenancy agreement.
There is further work that goes on 'behind the scenes'. We, as the landlords agent, have to make sure that there is an up-to-date gas safety certificate for the property. We also have to make sure that the inventory, check in report and pre-tenancy cleaning are undertaken before you move into the property.
Step Three – Signing Your Agreement & Moving In
Once the tenancy agreement has been created and move in date agreed, we will write to you to invite you to the office to sign the tenancy agreement.
When you come in, there will be three copies of the tenancy agreement for you to check and read through. It is very important that you check that all names, dates and addresses are correct. You should spend some time reading through the agreements, or arrange to have them independently checked by your lawyer or representative. Remember that once you have signed the tenancy you will be bound by its contents. It is very important that you understand what you are signing.
Once you are happy with the agreements you will need to let us have the necessary funds to move into the property. This will equate to one month's rent plus six weeks security deposit and a contribution to the cost of preparing the tenancy agreement. These funds must be made available to us by way of bankers draft or CHAPS payment. We do not accept cash or personal cheques for payment of these funds.
Once the funds have been paid, you will then ready to sign the tenancy agreements (your landlord would have all ready signed the agreement). You will need to sign all three copies and they will be witnessed by a T G Baynes staff member.
You will then be given a copy of the agreement for your reference and the keys to the property. Copies of any supporting documentation will be handed over, including a copy of the gas safety certificate, details of the landlords contact details if we are not managing the property, and a standing order mandate for your bank in order to make the subsequent rental payments.
You will then be ready to move in.
