Tenants

Applicant Guide

Finding a new home can be an exciting time, but we understand that the application and referencing process can sometimes seem daunting. Our aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible and to keep you informed at each stage.

How do I apply for a property I have viewed?

Once you have viewed a property and would like to proceed, please contact our office as soon as possible.
We will discuss:
  • Your proposed move-in date
  • Your preferred length of tenancy
  • Your circumstances and eligibility for the property
  • Any other relevant information required by the landlord
We will then put your offer forward to the landlord for consideration.
Please note that an offer being accepted is subject to satisfactory completion of the necessary pre-tenancy checks and the landlord's agreement to proceed.

Holding Deposit

Once the landlord has accepted your offer, you may be asked to pay a holding deposit of up to one week's rent to reserve the property while the necessary pre-tenancy checks are completed.
The holding deposit is refundable, subject to the circumstances set out in the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
If the tenancy proceeds, the holding deposit will normally be returned within 7 days of the tenancy agreement being entered into, unless, with your consent, it is applied towards the first rent payment or tenancy deposit.
If the tenancy does not proceed, the holding deposit will normally be returned within 7 days of the relevant deadline or the landlord's decision not to proceed.
A holding deposit may be retained in certain circumstances permitted by law, including where:
  • You decide not to proceed with the tenancy
  • You fail a Right to Rent check
  • You provide false or misleading information which materially affects your suitability to rent the property
  • You fail to take reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy agreement within the agreed timeframe (15 days), despite the landlord or agent having taken reasonable steps to proceed
Where a holding deposit is retained, you will be provided with the relevant reason in writing.

Tenant Referencing

Tenant referencing is not a chargeable service for applicants. However, all applicants aged 18 or over will normally be required to complete the necessary referencing and Right to Rent checks before a tenancy can proceed.
We use Let Alliance to carry out our tenant referencing.

What information will the referencing company need from me?

You may be asked to provide:
  • Recent payslips or, if self-employed, relevant accounts and/or Self Assessment information
  • Proof of your current address, such as a bank statement, telephone bill or utility bill
  • Suitable identification, such as a passport or driving licence
  • Details of your current or previous landlord
  • Details of your current employer
Your landlord and employer may be contacted directly to obtain references.

How long will my reference take?

Referencing will normally take a few days, although this can vary depending on how quickly the required information and references are provided.
To avoid unnecessary delays, we recommend letting your employer and current landlord know that Let Alliance may be contacting them.

What else will I need to pay?

Before your tenancy starts, you will normally need to pay:
  • The first month's rent
  • A tenancy deposit, normally equivalent to 5 weeks' rent where the annual rent is below £50,000
The maximum tenancy deposit is generally 5 weeks' rent where the annual rent is below £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more.
You may also be responsible for the following during your tenancy, where applicable:
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Water
  • Council Tax
  • TV Licence
  • Communications services such as broadband
The property's letting particulars or tenancy agreement will confirm which costs are your responsibility.
We strongly recommend that tenants consider taking out suitable contents and personal liability insurance.

How do I pay my rent and deposit?

Your initial rent and tenancy deposit should be paid by bank transfer in accordance with the payment instructions provided by Holden & Prescott.
Once your tenancy has commenced, your rent should normally be paid by Standing Order in accordance with the rent due date stated in your tenancy agreement.
For example, if your tenancy starts on 5th January and the tenancy agreement states that rent is payable monthly on the 5th, your subsequent rent payments would normally be due on the 5th of each month.
Please ensure that your Standing Order is set up correctly and reaches our client account on the required due date.

Maintenance & Emergencies

If you experience a maintenance issue during your tenancy, please report it to Holden & Prescott as soon as possible so that we can arrange the appropriate assistance.
For emergency maintenance issues outside of our normal office hours, an emergency out-of-hours contractor telephone number is provided in your move-in pack.
Please use the out-of-hours service only for genuine emergencies requiring immediate attention. Routine maintenance issues should be reported to our office during normal working hours.

Tenant Fee Schedule

  • For full details of permitted tenant payments, please refer to our Tenant Fee Schedule.
    [Download our Tenant Fee Schedule PDF]
    If you have any questions about applying for a property, the referencing process or your tenancy, please contact the Holden & Prescott team. We are happy to help.