Help
Landlords help
- How do I pay my fees?
Landlord fees are only due once a suitable tenant is found for your property. The initial fees, and subsequent monthly management fees are taken from the rent we receive from your tenants. We then forward on the balance to you.
- What deposit do you take from tenants?
Normal practice is to collect the equivalent of one month’s rent plus an additional £100 against any dilapidations. If you agree to allow pets at the property then an extra £100 per pet will be held. Alex Clark Lettings will hold and register the deposit with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) as per legal requirement.
- What do I need to do to my property before it can be let out?
In order for any property to be marketed as available for let you need to have a current Energy Performance Certificate. If you do not currently have one then we can instruct this for you. There is also a legal requirement to have a valid Gas Safety Test Certificate again we can instruct this for you if you do not already have one. Portable Appliances in the property should also be tested which again we can arrange for you. Regarding the letting potential, a representative of Alex Clark Lettings will be able to assess and advise how to get the best possible rent from your property.
- What references do you take from tenants?
We use an external referencing company to carry out our references to specifically meet the conditions stipulated by the Insurance company that underwrite our Rent and Legal Insurance (refer to our Premier Managed Service). These checks consist of; a full credit check, employer and affordability checks and previous address history checks including previous landlord references.
- How do you attract tenants?
In addition to advertising your property on our Alex Clark Lettings Website, which attracts 1,000’s of visitors each month, we also actively market your property on all major websites relating to the Lettings Market. We also have an extensive Applicant Database of prospective tenants registered and waiting for properties.
Tenants help
- Can I insure my personal belongings and protect my deposit?
How much do you think it would cost to replace all of your personal belongings?
Alex Clark Lettings work in conjunction with Hazleton, Mobbs and Mountford Ltd who act as a broker.
Please note that the landlords insurance will not cover any accidents caused by you that inflict damage to any of the Landlords property or that causes damage/loss to your own belongings.In order to be fully covered and to protect your deposit as best you can, you will require Tenants Contents Insurance with the added option of cover for Accidental Damage to the Landlord fixtures and fittings.
We can provide you competitive rates for this insurance.
- What will happen to my deposit?
As licensed member of NALS (the National Approved Letting Scheme) you can be assured that your deposit will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) in line with legislation.
Subject to a satisfactory checkout at the end of your tenancy, your deposit will be refunded to you in full.- How soon can I move in to the property?
You are not able to gain access to the property prior to the date that has been agreed with us/the Landlord, which will be the date you commence paying rent from.
As long as we are in receipt of cleared funds for the full amount due, and have all signed paperwork required, then access to the property is granted.- How much will it cost me?
If the property is one that is on an Introduction Only service with us:
£200 Non-refundable holding fee – paid at time of reserving property
+ 6 Weeks rental in advance
+ Deposit equivalent to one months rent plus £100, plus an extra £100 if you have pets (cats/dogs).
+ Administration fee of £200.00 plus vat
+ Referencing fee of £25.00 plus vat per tenant
+ Referencing fee of £50.00 plus vat per guarantor
+ Home contents insurance – with adequate cover for landlord fixtures & fittings
- Less the £200 holding fee already paid
If the property is one that is on a Managed or Premier Managed Service with us:
£200 Non-refundable holding fee – paid at time of reserving property
+ Rent in advance (apportioned rent subject to move date but minimum of one full month)
+ Deposit equivalent to one months rent plus £100, plus an extra £100 if you have pets (cats/dogs).
+ Administration fee of £200.00 plus vat
+ Referencing fee of £25.00 plus vat per tenant
+ Referencing fee of £50.00 plus vat per guarantor
+ Home contents insurance – with adequate cover for landlord fixtures & fittings
- Less the £200 holding fee already paid
Payment is due in clear funds on or prior to your move in date. These costs are approximate figures and may be subject to changes.
- What references are required?
We use a company called RefRents who will independently obtain references on our behalf, as well as carryout a full credit check.
Please be advised that no tenancy will be granted until we are in receipt of satisfactory references.
If you are employed; A reference from your current employer will be requested, for them to confirm your length of service, whether the employment is temporary or permanent and your current salary.
If your in a probationary period, your employment is not permanent and/or your salary does not meet minimum affordability ratio then a guarantor will be required, or you can pay six months rent upfront*.
If you are self-employed; A reference from your accountants will be requested, asking for the last three years of accounts.
If you do not yet have three completed years of accounts, a guarantor will be required, or you can pay six months rent upfront*.
If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit; You will need to have a guarantor. If you are a student You will need to have a guarantor*.* Please note that in these circumstances you will be contacted after you have been in the property for 4 months and asked whether you wish to pay another six month rent, be re-referenced (referencing fee applies) as your circumstances have changed or obtain a guarantor.
In all instances the following ID will be required:
One from the list below:
- Current Passport
- Current Driving Licence
- Passport style photograph, sign by a professional person
And, two from the list below;
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Solicitors letter
- Driving licence
- Current tenant agreement
- What happens once I have seen a property I like?
It is important that you contact the relevant Alex Clark Lettings office as soon as possible to register your interest in the property A £200 non-refundable holding fee must be placed to reserve the property. This must be paid in clear funds. This will secure the property for you for up to four weeks, subject to referencing. At this point each prospective tenant will be given an application form, along with any Guarantors that may be needed. These forms must be returned to the office within 48 hours. We do reserve the right to re-market the property if we have not received completed forms within this time.
