First time renting and need help.

HalfPint

Hi,

Mr H and I are going to rent a property for the first time in our lives and I am feeling a bit baffled!

We've found the property and are now applying to go through referencing etc. I've received all the forms but none seem to be a 'tenancy agreement'

The letting agent has sent me 2 forms to complete, one is for 'homelet' and the other is called 'tenant terms & conditions' Is this our tenancy agreement? It has clauses in that makes it appear that it is but seems to miss out other essential information (like the landlords name & address, the type of tenancy, when the landlord/LA can visit).

Having never gone through this process before I am cautious and want to get it right. Mr H just wants to sign it and get on with it!

I'd really appreciate some advice

HP x

rokchik

Hello, we're in the process of moving to our second rented property, and we have also just received the forms you describe.

My understanding is that the Homelet form is for you to give consent to the agents carrying out a credit check on you. Did they ask you for copies of ID too?

The other form is simply your terms and conditions, it isn't your tenancy agreement. That will be drawn up once they have completed your credit and ID checks.

Hope that helps, good luck with the move!

princeofpounds

Hi. Welcome to the shabby practices of private rental.

No, this is not your tenancy agreement. They are likely some terms and conditions which the agent wants to form the basis of any further business you do. It probably allows them to charge you various fees later, make certain decisions around your referencing, makes you aware of certain demands etc. before you go further. They will bind you in certain respects, so if they are obviously stupid ask about them here.

I suspect homelet is a referencing or insurance form of some description.

It is not a bad idea to ask for a sample AST agreement before spending money on getting your application processsed. But annoyingly even after application fees it is still all up for negotiation.

HalfPint

Just dashing off to work but wanted to quickly post and say thank you to you both

MisterB1959

Hi, as a private landlord I wouldn't dream of letting a potential tenant go through any process which involves them spending money, ie reference checks etc, without them first seeing the ACTUAL tenancy agreement. Letting Agents will continue this shoddy process until enough people say NO! Perhaps they use this process to justify some of the charges they apply??


although a tenancy agreement should be pretty standard (with a few specifics added in) I wouldn't pay any money up front until I have at least read the AST first!

Foxy-Stoat_3

Also, get confirmation if the landlord has consent to let or a buy to let mortgage.

HalfPint

Thanks all for your input, it's helped

I've quizzed the letting agent about items I'm unsure of on this form and I'd appreciate your further advice on these.

They have told me that when my daughter turns 18 she will need to be referenced and checked (incurring a fee of course), is this standard practice?

They have a section on insurance and are stating that we need 'tenancy liability insurance'. They won't rent it to us without it. I don't really understand it tbh, (and Mr H is getting cross at me!) Doesn't normal house content insurance cover things inside the home?

Sorry if I'm sounding really daft and these are silly questions!

Guest101

HalfPint wrote: »

Thanks all for your input, it's helped

I've quizzed the letting agent about items I'm unsure of on this form and I'd appreciate your further advice on these.

They have told me that when my daughter turns 18 she will need to be referenced and checked (incurring a fee of course), is this standard practice? Its standard practice, but you dont have to oblige

They have a section on insurance and are stating that we need 'tenancy liability insurance'. They won't rent it to us without it. I don't really understand it tbh, (and Mr H is getting cross at me!) Doesn't normal house content insurance cover things inside the home? again standard practice, but you can get cover, then cancel with-in the 14 days.

Sorry if I'm sounding really daft and these are silly questions!

Reply in red above

eilidhcatriona

HalfPint wrote: »

They have a section on insurance and are stating that we need 'tenancy liability insurance'. They won't rent it to us without it. I don't really understand it tbh, (and Mr H is getting cross at me!) Doesn't normal house content insurance cover things inside the home?

I had to get tenants liability cover when I rented my current flat, I've never had to have it before in 12 years of renting and 4 flats. The letting agent was pushing us towards Home Let but I did a quick google search and found another company much cheaper, Saxon. No idea how good they are, it was just ticking a box for me.

HalfPint

Thank you once again!

After a few cross words with Mr H, he finally listened and I finally started to understand :rotfl:

Dug out my current contents policy and we are already covered for tenants liability under that :T :T

You've been really helpful and I suspect I'll have more questions but I'm happy now to go and put my money into the referencing

Beer is on me :beer:

HP x

HalfPint

You were all so helpful that I just wanted to update.

Our buyer pulled out so we can't rent (yet). It's back to the start for us but you all really helped with your information

HP x