Tenants Renting Guide

There are several important things to consider when searching for a rental property, including:

• Do you need furniture? (Do you want it fully or partly furnished?)
• Would you like a front or back garden?
• Do you need a parking space/garage?
• Do you smoke (many rental properties do not allow this inside)?
• Are you a pet owner (some landlords prefer not to allow pets)?
• Will you need any facilities to support a disability?

While the property is the main priority, you also want to ensure the surrounding area offers all the amenities needed to support your lifestyle. This means looking at the following:

• Transport links – local bus/train/underground routes
• Schools – transport links/reputation
• Nearby shops and supermarkets
• Local doctors, dentists, and hospitals
• Entertainment – restaurants/bars/theatre/cinema
• Parks and recreational spaces

Our Area Guides are a great way to find this information.

When you view the property, be sure to look at / ask about the following:

• Is there any storage space available (does it have a loft/basement)?
• Is there enough space for any furniture you want to bring?
• Are the taps, toilet and bath/shower working?
• Can you see smoke alarms on every floor, and is a carbon monoxide detector installed?
• How recently were door/window locks installed – are they secure?
• Are double/triple glazing windows installed (this improves insulation and reduces energy bills)?
• Have broadband/telephone sockets been installed, and are they active?
• How strong is the Wi-Fi signal around the property?
• Can you see any damage that needs repair?
• Is mould/dampness present?

It’s also essential to find out about the local crime rate (you can ask the estate agent or check online to get official statistics) as well as enquiring about neighbours and other residents if it’s a house share.

If you are interested in moving in, ask what the total amount to be paid will be (deposit/rent). Tenant fees are now illegal, so you should not be asked to pay these.

Rental properties tend to come off the market very quickly, so it helps if you have already organised your references and have the money required to put down the deposit as well as the first month’s rent.

Once your offer has been accepted, you must send a holding deposit of one week’s rent to secure the rental property. This can be paid via bank transfer, through our website or over the phone. This will take the property temporarily off the market while credit and reference checks are carried out. If all is fine, the holding deposit will be deducted from your first month’s rent. Your lettings negotiator will be able to provide more details on this.

We will then begin the referencing process to verify that you can continue paying the rent without issues throughout the tenancy. Our referencing process includes employer, landlord, affordability, and credit checks. Each property will require a different level of referencing, so it’s best to discuss this with your lettings negotiator. When approved, we will request a security deposit with a maximum of 5 weeks’ rent, or 6 weeks if the rent is over £50,000 per year.

Once referencing is completed, we will draw up the contracts, which can be signed in the office or online. We will then arrange the key collection with you at your convenience.

Moving into the rental property

Once you have agreed on a move-in date, there are a few final things to take care of before moving into your new home:

• Contact your current landlord and give them final notice before preparing your belongings for moving out.
• After paying your final month’s rent to your current landlord, set up a new standing order for the new tenancy – also, start to transfer over broadband/utility details with a move-in date.
• Be present for the inventory check before you move in so you can agree to and sign off the itemised list – you will then receive the keys and can start moving your belongings into the property.

If you want to rent a property in Willesden Green, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have a wide selection of vacant rental properties in North West London and are dedicated to helping you find the perfect property to suit your needs and budget requirements. If you are looking for a professional letting agent and want to know more about our services, please call us at 020 8459 2530 and discuss your options.

Fees applying to all new tenancies from 1st June 2019

We may charge a tenant any or all of the following when required:

• The rent of the property
• A security deposit with a maximum of 5 weeks rent, or 6 weeks on a property with rent over £50,000 per year
• A holding deposit of no more than one week’s rent
• Default fee for late payment of rent (after 14 days)
• Reasonable charges for lost keys or security fobs
• Payments associated with contract variation, at £50 or reasonable costs incurred if higher, when requested by the tenant
• Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
• Payments for bills – utilities, communication services, TV licence, council tax and green deal or other energy efficiency charges.

You can view a schedule of tenant fees here.

Regal Estates are members of The Property Ombudsman Redress Scheme and have client money protection through Propertymark.

Fees applying to all pre-existing tenancies entered before 1st June 2019

We shall continue to apply the charges within the existing tenancy agreement until 31st May 2020.