Preparing to rent
Ahead of your property search, getting to grips with this essential information will ensure you’re prepared for a successful application when you find the right house.
Affordability
It helps to review your finances to work out what deposit and monthly rental level you can afford prior to looking for a property.
Renting with pets
Be open and flexible about your intention to rent with a pet and make sure you can provide your potential landlord with as much information as possible.
Once you have permission to rent with your pet, ensure that the terms are written into your contract to prevent future misunderstandings.
Guarantors
If you are a student or unemployed you will need a guarantor. You may also require a guarantor should your income fall short of the required figure. To determine this, check that your annual salary is at least 30 times the monthly rent. For example, a rent of £500pcm would require a minimum of £15,000 annual salary. Each guarantor will need to complete an application form and be referenced before a tenancy can be considered. The guarantor will also have to sign the deed of guarantee before the tenancy can proceed.
Advance Payment
An advanced payment of a month’s rent and the security deposit must be paid before the keys can be released. Your initial payment can only be made via a direct pament to our bank account, the details of which will be provided by us at that point.
Tenants Holding Deposit
We ask you to pay one week’s rent as a Holding Deposit, in line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (England only). This is to reserve a property. For full terms and conditions on this, please contact our office and we will happily provide further info.
You can also check out the government's How To Rent: The Checklist For Renting In England.
Here are a few considerations to help you find the right home and understand what happens next.
Search criteria
Have you compiled a checklist of needs and wants to help your search? There are so many types of property and possible locations available it may help to narrow down your search.
Restrictions
Please be aware that some landlords impose certain restrictions in respect of the following: pets, smokers, housing benefit and students. Please refer to your local branch for further information on individual properties and if restrictions apply.
Application
When you find a home that suits your needs we’ll ask you to complete a simple application form. Anyone who is over the age of 18 will be asked to fill out an application form. Please ensure that all sections of the form are completed, we will then contact the landlord for their approval and process your references quickly and confidentially.
Rent
We will provide a standing order form which includes our bank account details or that of the landlords. It will be your responsibility to hand this over to your bank so that the rent will be paid in full and on time.
Timescales
It usually takes a minimum of 7 working days before you will be able to move into your property. Although every effort will be made by all parties to accommodate your moving date, unfortunately, no guarantees can be made. When you submit your application we will notify you as to whether your application has been successful (when the referencing company we employ gives us a decision). Once your application has been approved, a mutually convenient time and date will be agreed for the tenancy to commence. At this point it will be necessary for all prospective tenants and guarantor/s (where required) to attend the office to sign the tenancy agreements and other relevant documentation. Once the Tenancy Agreement has been signed you will receive a counterpart copy for your retention.
Moving in
Utilities
On all fully managed properties we will write to the gas, electricity and water suppliers notifying them of meter readings at the commencement of the tenancy. We will also write to the local authority for council tax purposes. Please note that we strongly recommend that you also inform the suppliers to ensure that your details have been received and processed.
Tenants Content Insurance
The Landlord is not responsible for insuring any of your personal belongings. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you obtain adequate contents insurance.
Non-Managed Lets
Where Archers Estates is not responsible for the management of the tenancy, you will be given the Landlord’s contact details in case you need to report any maintenance problems.
General
We've partnered with Goodlord to offer our tenants and landlords a speedy rental experience that can be completed from anywhere. This online platform helps tenants get into their new homes as quickly as possible, with a streamlined, digital application process, including contract signing, deposit payments, and an audit trail of all documents supplied to help landlords stay compliant. Want to learn more?
Tenant focus
We've partnered with online lettings platform, Goodlord, to give you a speedy and hassle-free renting experience. Goodlord will guide you through the simple online application process that you can complete from anywhere, with digital contract signing and deposit payments, and give you access to exclusive offers and services, to help you into your new home. Want to learn more?
